Who We Are

LEE D. KAPLAN, M.D.

DIRECTOR, SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Lee Kaplan, M.D., is the chief of UHealth Sports Medicine and a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. He is also a professor of orthopaedics, biomedical engineering, and kinesiology and sports sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Kaplan is a renowned specialist in sports-related knee, shoulder and elbow injuries and arthroscopic surgery at UHealth Sports Medicine. He earned his medical degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Kaplan’s career highlights include:

• Clinical focus in sports-related knee, shoulder and elbow injuries and arthroscopic surgery


• Board-certified in orthopaedic surgery with a subspecialty certification in orthopaedic sports medicine


• Completed his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center


• Completed a sports medicine/shoulder fellowship and a clinical instructor sports medicine and research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh


• Medical director of the University of Miami Department of Intercollegiate Athletics


• Medical director and team physician for the Miami Marlins

Clinic Locations

The Lennar Foundation Medical Center

5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33146

MICHAEL G. BARAGA, M.D.

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ORTHOPAEDICS

UHEALTH SPORTS MEDICINE

Michael Baraga, M.D., is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. He is also an assistant professor of orthopaedics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Baraga specializes in knee and shoulder surgery, including ACL reconstruction and revision surgery using all types of grafts. He is also involved in ACL injury research regarding ACL graft healing, treatment of partial tears and individualized surgery. Dr. Baraga earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus.

Dr. Baraga’s career highlights include:

• Clinical focus in sports-related knee and shoulder injuries, including ACL injuries, knee dislocations and patellar instability


• Board certification in orthopaedic surgery


• Completed his internship and residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center


• Completed his fellowship training in orthopaedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the University of Pittsburgh


• Team physician for the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams, the University of Miami women’s soccer team, and the Miami Marlins

Clinic Locations

UHealth at Plantation

8100 SW 10th St.

Building 3

Third Floor

Plantation, FL 33324

The Lennar Foundation Medical Center

5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33146

Jackson Memorial Hospital

1611 NW 12th Ave.

Miami, FL 33136

JULIANNE MUÑOZ, M.D.

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Julianne Muñoz, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at UHealth Sports Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. At UHealth Sports Medicine, Dr. Muñoz brings her vast experience in treating and caring for collegiate and professional athletes to help provide comprehensive, expert care to her patients. She earned her medical degree from University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Dr. Muñoz’s career highlights include:

• Clinical focus in orthopaedic surgery and shoulder, elbow and sports medicine


• Residency in orthopaedic surgery completed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center


• Fellowship in shoulder, elbow & sports medicine completed at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center


• Co-team physician for the University of Miami sports teams and the Miami Marlins baseball team


• Former fellow team physician for the New York City Football Club and New York Yankees

Clinic Locations

University of Miami Hospital

1400 NW 12th Ave.

East Building, First Floor, Suite 2

Miami, FL 33136

Lennar Foundation Medical Center

5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 
Coral Gables, FL 33146

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1201 N.W. 16th St. 
Miami, FL 33125

THOMAS M. BEST, M.D., Ph.D.

SPORTS MEDICINE AND FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

PROFESSOR OF ORTHOPAEDICS

UHEALTH SPORTS MEDICINE

Thomas Best, M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician at UHealth Sports Medicine and a professor of orthopedics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is also a research director at the Miller School of Medicine’s UHealth Sports Performance and Wellness Institute. At UHealth Sports Medicine, Dr. Best provides comprehensive patient care using the latest advancements in sports medicine. He earned his medical degree from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Best’s career highlights include:

• Clinical focus in sports injuries, prevention of injury and treatment of osteoarthritis


• Board-certified in family medicine with a certificate of added qualifications (CAQ) in sports medicine


• Completed his internship at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario


• Completed his residency training in family medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


• Completed his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at Duke University


• Team physician for the University of Miami Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Miami Marlins

Clinic Locations

The Lennar Foundation Medical Center

5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33146

University of Miami Hospital

1400 NW 12th Ave.

East Building

Suite 2

Miami, FL 33136

KENNETH P. BARNES, M.D.

PEDIATRIC SPORTS MEDICINE AND YOUNG ADULT SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

Kenneth P. Barnes, M.D., MSc., CAQSM, FACSM , is a sports medicine expert at the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute, with board certifications in sports medicine, internal medicine, and paediatrics. He specializes in musculosketelatal sports injuries, paediatric fracture management, and concussion diagnosis and treatment, particularly among youth athletes. He conducts sports medicine research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where he is an associate professor of orthopaedics. Dr. Barnes comes to the UM Sports Medicine Institute from private practice in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he served on the medical faculty of several academic institutions – including as an adjunct professor of kinesiology at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as an adjunct professor of exercise science at Elon University, as an adjunct faculty member for the Cone Sports Medicine Fellowship, and as a clinical assistant professor in family medicine in the department of family medicine at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

Career highlights include:

• Fellowship in the American College of Sports Medicine


• Extensive research background, most recently focusing on concussion diagnosis, management, and the genetics and neuropsychological implications of concussion


• Author, editor and reviewer of numerous sports medicine journal articles, book chapters and other publications


• Invited presenter at numerous national sports medicine conferences and meetings


• Leadership roles in sports medicine organizations and societies, including the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and state medical societies

Dr. Barnes was awarded a bachelors in kinesiology and human movement from York University in Toronto, Canada, a masters in medical science with a focus on joint injury/arthritis and orthopaedic biomechanics from the University of Calgary, and his doctor of medicine from the National University of Ireland in Dublin. He completed his combined internal medicine/paediatrics residency at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield Massachusetts, and his sports medicine fellowship at Cone Sports Medicine through the University of North Carolina.

CAROLYN M. KIENSTRA, M.D.

PEDIATRIC SPORTS MEDICINE AND YOUNG ADULT SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ADOLESCENT MEDICINE

UHEALTH SPORTS MEDICINE

Carolyn Kienstra, M.D., is a board-certified pediatric sports medicine physician at UHealth Sports Medicine. She is also an assistant professor of adolescent medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Kienstra specializes in caring for young athletes and endurance athletes at UHealth Sports Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Kienstra’s career highlights include:

• Clinical focus in pediatric and young adult sports medicine and endurance athletes


• Board-certified in pediatric sports medicine


• Completed her residency training in pediatrics at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center


• Completed her fellowship training in pediatric sports medicine at Baylor College of Medicine


• Team physician for the University of Miami Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Miami Marlins


• Rio 2016 Olympics medical volunteer

Clinic Locations

University of Miami Hospital

1400 NW 12th Ave.

South Building

Suite 2

Miami, FL 33136

Mailman Center for Child Development

1601 NW 12th Ave.

#1058A

Miami, FL 33136

The Lennar Foundation Medical Center

5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33146

Jackson Memorial Hospital

1611 NW 12th Ave.

West, Fifth Floor

Miami, FL 33136

STEPHEN HENRY, M.D.

Primary Care Sports Medicine

UHealth Sports Medicine

Stephen Henry, D.O., is a board-certified family physician and board-eligible sports medicine physician at UHealth Sports Medicine. Dr. Henry specializes in providing care for athletes and sports teams. He earned his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, NY.

Dr. Henry’s career highlights include:

• Clinical focus in caring for athletes and sports teams


• Board-certified family physician and board-eligible sports medicine physician


• Completed his residency training in family medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospital where he served as chief resident


• Completed a sports medicine fellowship at University of Miami Health/Jackson Health System


• Team physician for the Miami Marlins baseball organization, University of Miami athletics department, Hoophall Miami Invitational basketball and Gulliver Preparatory Schools

Clinic Locations

Lennar Foundation Medical Center

5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33146

UHealth at Plantation

8100 SW 10th St.

Building 3

Third Floor

Plantation, FL 33324

GILLIAN HOTZ, Ph.D.

DIRECTOR, CONCUSSION PROGRAM, SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Gillian Hotz, Ph.D., is the Director of the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute’s Concussion Program, part of the University of Miami Health System, and a research professor in the Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Hotz is a leading authority on sports-related concussion prevention management and has extensive experience in neurocognitive testing using computerized screening to assess mental status following a concussion. She is a nationally recognized behavioral neuroscientist and expert in pediatric and adult neuro-trauma, concussion management and neuro-rehabilitation.

Under Dr. Hotz’s leadership, the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute’s Concussion Program addresses the growing concern about concussions in youth sports. The program strives to improve concussion management and awareness among athletic trainers, athletes and their parents by incorporating innovative research, education and community outreach. Each year Dr. Hotz evaluates and treats hundreds of athletes from South Florida high schools and colleges at the sports concussion clinic.

Dr. Hotz is also the director of the Kidz Neuroscience Center and the WalkSafe and BikeSafe programs funded by the Florida Department of Transportation since 2003 and 2009, respectively. Her other distinguished roles include being an active member of numerous boards and advisory groups nationwide, serving as the principal investigator on many national and state grants for injury prevention research projects and clinical trials for children with traumatic brain injury, and being a credentialed ImPACT consultant. Dr. Hotz earned her Ph.D. from Boston University School of Medicine.

Among her career highlights, Dr. Hotz:

• Chaired the Florida State Concussion Task Force, which worked on legislation passed in March 2012 for the management of youth concussions.


• Developed a countywide concussion program in Miami-Dade and partnered with Countywide Concussion Care and now Concussion Legacy Foundation to implement educational programs.


• Initiated the first partnership with the Miami Dolphins Foundation to assist in supporting the Countywide Concussion High School Management Program.


• Continues to be the principal investigator on many national and state studies/grants, including: General Electric & NFL, MRI and Neurocognitive Outcomes, Brainscope EEG, Scythian Biosciences, Effects of Cannabinoids on MTBI/Concussion.


• Presents at many conferences at the local, national and international levels, as well as publishing in peer-reviewed journals and books.


• Authored two neurocognitive tests, the Brief Test of Head Injury for adults and the Pediatric Test of Brain Injury for children and adolescents.


• Leads the WalkSafe program for elementary school age children which has shown to reduce the pediatric pedestrian-hit-by-car rates by more than 67 percent in the studied age group.


• Leads the BikeSafe program to evaluate curriculums and educate middle school children.

KESTER NEDD, D.O.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, CONCUSSION PROGRAM CLINIC

Kester J. Nedd, D.O., is a Board-Certified Neurologist with Subspecialty training in Neurological Rehabilitation. He currently serves as the Director of Neurological Rehabilitation at the University of Miami School of Medicine and is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery in the Miller School of Medicine at University of Miami. He completed his medical training at the Kansas City University of Bioscience and Medicine. Dr. Nedd received his Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation training in the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.

He has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with Acute and Chronic disorders in Neurological Trauma, Cerebro Vascular Accident (Stroke), Neuro-Immunological conditions, Transplantation, Chronic Medical De-conditioning, and Neuro-Muscular diseases. Dr. Nedd has a special interest in recovery and the measurement and prediction of neurological outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke. In addition, he is an expert in the Neuro-pharmacological management of individuals with neurological disorders. For the past 20 years, he has provided clinical care for thousands of patients in the South Florida region and throughout the Caribbean and Latin American countries. Over the years he has been involved in various clinical research projects with funding from various sources.

As an educator, he is head of the post-graduate Neurological Rehabilitation fellowship training program at the University of Miami-Jackson Health Systems, lecturer in the University of Miami Physical Therapy program and continuing medical education programs at the University of Miami. He is involved in training Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents and Medical Students. Dr. Nedd has worked in the community to educate the public, patients and families on topics such as stroke and cardiac disease prevention and treatment, injury prevention and safety, life after disabilities, prevention of premature deaths and reducing risk factors. He has appeared on various television and radio programs including his own television show “Real issues for a healthy community” and radio show “Living against the odds.”

JEAN JOSE, D.O.

DIRECTOR OF IMAGING, SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Jean Jose, D.O., is an attending physician and associate chief of the musculoskeletal imaging section of the University of Miami Radiology Department, currently serving as director of imaging for the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute and director of radiology at The Lennar Foundation Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology and holds medical licenses in Florida and New York.

In addition to his medical training, Dr. Jose holds a bachelors in cellular biology and a masters in molecular biology. He completed his diagnostic radiology residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in 2007, where he served as chief resident from 2005-2007. In 2007, Dr. Jose received the The Evelyn and Harry Indursky Award for Outstanding Radiology Resident. Dr. Jose completed a musculoskeletal radiology fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Weil Cornell Medical College in New York City, where he was distinguished with the 2008 Fellowship Education Award. Upon the completion of his fellowship, he accepted the position at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, now serving as an associate professor of clinical radiology and orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Jose is a member of the University of Miami Institutional Review Board (IRB) Committee and is actively involved in several research studies at UM. As attending physician, Dr. Jose has been awarded several teaching awards and recognitions by the departments of radiology and orthopaedic surgery. His research interests are diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal imaging, magnetic resonance imaging of articular cartilage and sport related injuries. He has published more than 76 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, co-authored book chapters on orthopedic imaging, and has presented at more than 30 national and international medical conferences and more than 40 scientific meetings.