A Few Quick Questions with the Detroit Tigers Team Physician
by Julie Baumkel
Henry Ford Medical Group physician Michael Workings, M.D., helps
the Detroit Tigers stay in peak condition for
competition.
Minds of Medicine: Henry Ford Medical Group has had
a long history of being the team physicians for the Detroit Tigers. When
did you take over? And who did you succeed?
Dr. Workings: In 1995, I had the good fortune of succeeding
Dr. Clarence Livingood who was an institution as the Detroit Tigers team
physician for nearly four decades. He wanted to hand pick his successor. And
after lots of recommendations and a five hour interview, he decided it would be
me. It seems like just yesterday, but this is my 11th season. It’s kind of
funny, I was always the klutzy kid growing up, always more focused on academics
— but this has been one of the greatest thrills of my life. I now have a much
greater appreciation for all the hard work that goes into being one of the
Detroit Tigers. They are a great ball club and I’m honored to be taking care of
the players and their families.
Minds of Medicine: What are the typical injuries
you see? Any really tough cases?
Dr. Workings: I treat everything that comes my way from “I’ve got a stomach
ache” to “My toe has a sore that won’t heal.” People have this misconception
that we are always tending a broken this or a sprained that, but what I practice
truly is family medicine. Just as with my patients at Henry Ford Medical
Center-Troy, the players need to have their cholesterol monitored, to have help
maintaining a healthy diet, to keep their blood pressure in line, to get their
flu shots. It’s everyday medicine. Another thing I think people don’t realize is
that as team physician, I not only take care of the players, I take care of
their families as well. For example, I just had a player’s six-month-old child
in for shots. If anyone in their family is sick, I’m the go-to guy.
Minds of Medicine: Who’s your favorite Tiger? Have
you learned any secrets that you didn’t know or we might not know about
baseball?
Dr. Workings:(Laughs) I play no favorites. I like
everyone I’ve met. If there’s any “secret” I’ve learned it is that baseball is a
very strategic game. It’s like playing chess. Ball players must work together as
a team to win. The Detroit Tigers have become a much better offensive team. This
year, their pitching staff is much improved. One thing people might not realize
is that as team physician, I also provide medical care for all the teams that
come to Comerica Park. For example, I was there from early morning Opening Day
until late that night. Whoever needs to be seen, I see them, on either
team.
Minds of Medicine: Do most of the players follow
your advice?
Dr. Workings: I think I’ve done a fairly good job of winning
them over. Most have good vision and quick reflexes and realize they have to
stay in shape mentally and physically to play well. Since I came on deck,
they are eating better and most of those who need it are following my
recommendations for their allergy management. Their days of junk food and
constant sniffling from allergies are over. I’m proud of that.
Minds of Medicine: What do you always try to keep in mind with the
players? Dr. Workings: There’s an
important perspective on being the team physician. I try to keep them
healthy, as I do all my patients at the System’s medical center in Troy. But I
also have to consider how central sports are to the lives of these athletes. I
must take the best care I can of them so that they can achieve their best.
Prevention of those everyday medical problems is what helps keep people
performing at their peak condition.
(Michael Workings, M.D., is the Detroit Tigers team physician, a senior
staff physician in Family Medicine at Henry Ford Medical Center-Troy, an
associate professor of medicine at Case-Western Reserve University, a
board-certified Michigan Academy of Family Medicine practitioner and is a 2007
Board of Directors Candidate for the American Board of Family
Medicine.)
