After years of training and education around the world, Jildeh has returned to his hometown of East Lansing to provide care for the community that raised him. Jildeh said it is touching to be a part of the university again.

“Wherever I go, I've always had a piece of East Lansing in me,” Jildeh said. “I think being from this community is really special.”

Attending Michigan State has been a tradition for Jildeh’s family since his grandparents immigrated to the United States in hopes of studying at the university.

His clinical practice in the orthopedic center specializes in sports medicine, joint preservation, meniscus and cartilage restoration, trauma surgery and complex operative and non-operative approaches to the shoulder, knee, hip and elbow. Jildeh also works as a team physician and assistant professor.

“My job (as team physician) is to keep athletes in top shape so that they can perform week in, week out in practice and in-game,” Jildeh said. “I am also an assistant professor here at MSU where I’m hoping to train the next generation of leaders.”

In his roles as a surgeon and team physician, Jildeh said his main goal is to provide world-class healthcare to Michigan State students and the community as a whole. He also hopes to continue his research efforts to put MSU Health Care at a level of clinical excellence.

Jildeh is one of the youngest recipients of the O'Donoghue Sports Injury Award, which he received for his study on eliminating opioid use in patients after ACL reconstruction. Jildeh said that studies show the majority of patients seeking treatment for opioid abuse were introduced to narcotics through medical care.

Jildeh’s research team developed and validated a non-opioid protocol for patients following surgery that provided equivalent pain relief after multiple kinds of reconstructive surgeries. He said this eliminates addictive narcotic use and helps patients return to activities quicker.

“Michigan State’s one of the only medical centers in the whole world that provides this to their patients,” Jildeh said. “And I think that’s pretty special.”

Dr. Micah Lissy

For the past 10 years Lissy has been building his practice in New York, but he moved to Michigan when the opportunity came to work with Michigan State’s Big Ten athletes. Lissy said he found the opportunity to work with higher caliber athletes exciting.

“It would be a lot of fun,” Lissy said. “I’m really trying to focus not so much on where the most money is but doing the things you enjoy doing in life.”

Lissy specializes in knee and shoulder instability and treats a lot of dislocated shoulders and knee caps, torn ligaments in the knees and problems with the meniscus and cartilage. While many of those injuries can be avoided in contact sports, Lissy said athletes should maintain their health and strength to lessen the risk of injury.

“It’s not just about getting on the field once in a while and running around,” Lissy said. “Doing some time in the gym, having a balanced, strong body, those things can help prevent injuries.”

Lissy also said that getting a healthy amount of sleep, particularly the night before a game, can do a lot to prevent injury, especially for college athletes of any level. 

As a team physician with MSU Athletics, Lissy said he enjoys working with motivated athletes to help them get back into their sport. Lissy works with athletes of all levels, including intramural teams. He said he hopes to be as close to a part of the teams as possible.

“(Motivation) is not non-existent when you're dealing with your intramural athletes,” Lissy said. “Those guys are also a lot of fun, particularly rugby, lacrosse, ultimate. Those guys are really into the things they do.”

Lissy has worked with teams and athletes across the country including the Red Wings, the Tigers, the Pistons and Olympic athletes. He said no matter what level he is providing care for, one of the best feelings comes from successfully getting an athlete back into playing.

“The thing you remember the most is the person you helped who’s then back on the field, and maybe scores,” Lissy said. “That's an amazing feeling.”

On top of orthopedic surgery, Lissy is also certified as a physical therapist, strength coach and athletic trainer. With knowledge outside of just surgical procedures, Lissy said he is able to help patients before and after surgery in ways that he couldn’t without his other certifications.

“If you have the background as an athletic trainer, as a physical therapist, as a strength coach, then there are other ways to help somebody,” Lissy said. “Which enables me to envision and help them along a path that maybe avoids surgery, or a better way to recover after surgery.”