XCELL RISE
Sports Medicine

Dr. Bert Mandelbaum is an orthopedic surgeon and co-chair of medical affairs at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. He has over 30 years of experience in orthopedic and sports medicine and is the author of “The Win Within: Capturing Your Victorious Spirit.”

Currently, Dr. Mandelbaum serves as the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Major League Soccer and Medical Director for the FIFA Medical Center of Excellence in Santa Monica. He has held key roles with the U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team, Major League Baseball, and various collegiate teams. He also served as Chief Medical Officer for events like the 2015 Special Olympics and the 2016 Copa America.

A member of several professional medical societies, Dr. Mandelbaum has authored numerous clinical research papers and has been recognized as a Super Doctor in Sports Medicine for 12 consecutive years. He frequently contributes to media outlets such as Medscape, Sports Illustrated, and NBC Sports.

Dr. Jason Dragoo is the Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs for the CU Department of Orthopaedics and Endowed Chair of Regenerative Medicine. He has developed many procedures designed to augment the healing of a patient’s own body.

Dr. Dragoo believes that joint restoration techniques should be used whenever possible . He approaches standard procedures such as ACL reconstruction, meniscal and tendon repair with a less-invasive approach than commonly performed. A significant number of Dr. Dragoo’s patients are elite athletes (professional, collegiate, or Olympic) but he welcomes athletic patients of all ages and treats them with the same philosophy and surgical or non-surgical techniques.

Dr. Dragoo is the Head Team Physician for the Denver Nuggets. He is also a consultant physician for the US Ski Team and was previously the Head Team Physician for the Stanford Football Program for 13 years. Dr. Dragoo grew up in the Napa Valley and is an avid wine collector, outdoor enthusiast, youth football coach and a hot air balloon pilot.

Dr. Ariana DeMers is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and regenerative medicine expert dedicated to redefining how musculoskeletal and longevity care are delivered. As the founder of the Joint Vitality Institute at Restore Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, she has pioneered a patient-centered approach that blends orthobiologic precision, hormonal optimization, and lifestyle medicine to help patients stay active, age vibrantly, and avoid unnecessary surgery.

A recognized leader in the field, Dr. DeMers serves as Chief of Medical Education for APEX Biologix, Vice President of the International Association of Regenerative Medicine & Education Society (IARMES), and past president and board member of the Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation. Her mission extends beyond clinical excellence - she empowers physicians worldwide to build sustainable, ethical, cash-based practices through her educational platforms The Business of Orthobiologics (BOB), PRP Now, and the Orthobiologic Practice Launch System.

Known for her clarity, innovation, and integrity, Dr. DeMers has trained thousands of clinicians in ultrasound-guided injection techniques, PRP dosing, and evidence-based orthobiologic protocols. She is a frequent national and international speaker, advisor to leading biologic and device companies.

Through her integrated ecosystem of clinics, courses, and collaborations, Dr. DeMers is shaping the next era of regenerative orthopedics - one defined by scientific excellence, patient empowerment, and physician freedom.

Dr. Steven K. Poon is a primary care physician specializing in sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Tempe, AZ. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Tufts University, a medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, and completed his residency in family medicine at Wake Forest University. Dr. Poon further advanced his expertise with a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at the University of Washington. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, where he serves as vice chair of the Academic Interest Group and chairperson of the Annual Combined Survey Subcommittee. Dr. Poon’s clinical interests include the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes, ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal interventions, and concussion care and research.

Dr. Walter Sussman is a board-certified specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with fellowship training and board certification in Sports Medicine. He graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Emory University, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Sussman went on to complete a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Emory, providing care for the Atlanta Dream WNBA team, Georgia Tech athletics, and Emory University sports. He has served as Head Team Physician for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and provides care for local high school athletes.

Dr. Sussman’s clinical interests include ultrasound-guided diagnostics and regenerative medicine. He co-authored The Atlas of Interventional Orthopedics and has published research on ultrasound-guided procedures, nerve hydrodissection, and concussion management. As a leader in regenerative medicine, he serves on the Board of the Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation and is a member of the American Academy of PM&R Biologics Working Group. In 2020, he founded Boston Sports & Biologics to offer non-surgical treatments for musculoskeletal injuries, including PRP, autologous cellular injections, and Tenex. Dr. Sussman is also dedicated to personalized care for conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, and sports-related concussions.

Dr. Larry Balle, MD is a double board-certified primary care sports medicine and family medicine physician who practices complete care for active populations and athletes. He is currently a team physician for Rice University, Houston Ballet, and St. Pius High School. Dr. Balle is originally from Katy, Texas, graduating from Katy high school, later Texas A&M, and residency from Baylor College of Medicine. His areas of interest include sports medicine and optimization, non-surgical orthopedics, and ultrasound guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. He previously served as an assistant professor in the department of orthopedics at UAMS and as the associate program director for the UAMS NW PCSM fellowship program.

During his career, he has provided sports medicine care for University of Arkansas Razorback athletics, Olympian and professional track & field athletes, NFL, NBA, MLB, professional combat sport athletes, local NWA high schools, and numerous mass events, including the Joe Martin Stage Race and the Houston Marathon.

His special interests include orthobiologics or regenerative medicine to heal injuries naturally through the body’s own cells and growth factors. He has extensive training in regenerative medicine and office-based ultrasound procedures that heal certain injuries without surgery. He also has an interest in musculoskeletal mechanics and how to adjust or adapt athletic mechanics to recover from and prevent future injuries.

Dr. John L. Ferrell III is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician with fellowship training in Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Sonography. He has served as a Team Physician for DC United and the DC Divas. Dr. Ferrell received his medical degree from The Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, and he did a General Surgery internship at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He went on to spend four years in the Navy as a General Medical Officer taking care of sailors and their families. Afterward, he completed his Family Medicine training at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Ferrell then went on to complete his Sports Medicine Fellowship at Fairfax Family Practice. During his fellowship, Dr. Ferrell worked with the Washington Nationals’ and Redskins’ and served as a Team Physician for George Mason University while receiving intensive training in ultrasound diagnostics of musculoskeletal injuries and regenerative medicine injections.

After years of training in martial arts, Dr. Ferrell knows first-hand what it is like to recover from an injury and can better empathize with his patients because of it. He believes in a holistic approach to the musculoskeletal system and that bodies need to be treated as one entity.

Dr. Ferrell’s primary focus is on non-surgical management of orthopedic problems using regenerative medicine to include Microfragmented Adipose (MFAT) Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Prolotherapy, and Tenex. He has also been a speaker at conferences and trained Physicians Nationally and Internationally on Regenerative Medicine and ultrasound. He is involved in research on regenerative medicine and currently, he serves as Community Faculty for the University of Maryland, Capital Regional Health, Family Medicine Residency.

Dr. Marc Gruner, DO, MBA, RMSK, is a Mayo Clinic–trained Interventional Sports Physiatrist specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries. He earned his joint medical and business degrees from VCOM/Virginia Tech and completed his residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Georgetown University/National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gruner then pursued advanced training through a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he worked alongside leading experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Gruner’s clinical expertise centers on cutting-edge, ultrasound-guided procedures. His skill set includes minimally invasive carpal tunnel release, percutaneous tenotomy (Tenex), tendon scraping, neural releases, ultrasound-guided fasciotomy for compartment syndrome, and regenerative medicine injections. He also holds the Registered in Musculoskeletal (RMSK) certification, the highest credential in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Gruner is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Limber Health, a digital health platform designed to improve care and reduce costs for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions, including low back and knee pain. He is passionate about patient education, evidence-based practice, and advancing value in sports medicine. Working with Medicare, leading national organizations, and regenerative registries, he is a strong believer in measuring patient reported outcomes to demonstrate value for various treatments.

Dr. Megan Ferderber is board certified in family medicine, sports medicine, and lifestyle medicine practicing as a sports medicine physician and proceduralist with the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute, now part of Jefferson Health. She completed medical school at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, family medicine residency at UPMC St. Margaret where she served as co-chief, and subsequently completed sports medicine fellowship with UPMC. She has an extensive background in medical education specifically pertaining to the musculoskeletal system and sports medicine field, and has served as a member of multiple expert groups in establishing and publishing national guidelines for implementation of sports medicine and sports ultrasound curriculum. She has a passion for assisting patients in achieving their functional goals and regaining quality of life through mobility with nonsurgical interventions. She is a new mom and lives in the beautiful NEPA (Northeast Pennsylvania) with her husband, baby boy, and two dogs.

Dr. Ryan Kruse is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Iowa. He earned his medical degree from St. Georges University School of Medicine, Grenada, completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and then went on to complete a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Iowa.

Currently, Dr. Kruse sees patients at the University of Iowa Athletics- Sports Medicine, where he provides comprehensive non-surgical care for athletes and active adults. His clinic interests include musculoskeletal injuries, regenerative medicine, and ultrasound- guided diagnostic and interventional procedures. He also serves as a team physician for the U.S. Soccer Federation and USA Rugby.

Dr. Kruse is deeply involved in regenerative and orthobiologic therapies. He is an active member of organizations such as AMSSM, ACSM, and AAPM&R, where he often serves as a conference speaker and faculty. He is also engaged in research and medical education, contributing to clinical publications focused on sports ultrasound curriculum, orthobiologic outcomes, and post-procedure care protocols.

Dr. Shounuck Patel is a physician specializing in Functional Interventional Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine in Newport Beach and Los Angeles, California. He is board-certified in Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, as well as fellowship-trained in interventional pain management. Dr. Patel earned his degrees across the nation at The George Washington University in DC, Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed advanced regenerative medicine training with the Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation (IOF)—a non-profit for which he became a master instructor for other physicians to learn advanced ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided musculoskeletal procedures.

Dr. Dregalla holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University, earned in 2011. His graduate research, funded by NASA, focused on telomere and DNA-repair proteins and their role in chromosomal stability following exposure to ionizing radiation.

After completing his doctorate, Dr. Dregalla helped develop a functional research program supporting a physician-owned autologous cell therapy clinic, where he discovered a strong interest in orthobiologics and tissue-based therapies. Beginning in 2014, his work has centered on the development of human-derived acellular tissue products designed to address unmet needs in wound care. He aims to extend these scientifically grounded technologies into orthopedics, a field where high-quality, evidence-based tissue solutions remain limited.

Since 2019, Dr. Dregalla has collaborated with startup ventures, established medical device companies, and physicians, providing laboratory-based services supporting QA/QC, peer-reviewed research, intellectual property development, and FDA regulatory filings.

Loren Deren, CTBS, M.Sc., is Vice President of Clinical Development at APEX Biologix, bringing over 15 years of experience in medical devices, orthobiologics, and regenerative medicine. With a background spanning clinical education, business development, and sales, she is dedicated to advancing clinical outcomes through innovation, research, and strategic partnerships. Loren holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology and is committed to driving growth through cutting-edge clinical education and regenerative medicine solutions.