Gregory L. Primus, M.D.
ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON & FOUNDER
Dr. Gregory L. Primus is a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of The Chicago Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery. He played three seasons in the NFL, one with the Denver Broncos and two with the Chicago Bears. As a former professional athlete, Dr. Primus has a unique understanding of the needs of sports medicine patients. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Primus and the staff at The Chicago Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery believe in a team-oriented approach to patient care. Some of the services offered include on-site physical therapy, x-ray, and MRI, as well as assistance from athletic trainers. The facility also houses a fitness center and personal trainers for an entire sports medicine experience.
In addition to his sports medicine training, which focuses on arthroscopic surgery and reconstruction of all the major joints, Dr. Primus also specializes in arthritis reconstruction of the knee and shoulder, with a focus on ligament sparing joint arthroplasty.
Dr. Primus completed his pre-medical microbiology degree at Colorado State University and then entered the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. There, he earned his medical degree and completed his orthopedic surgery residency. He then went on to complete a fellowship at the Southern California Center for Sports Medicine.
Dr. Primus is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, previous journal reviewer for the Arthroscopy Association of North American, and current Associate Master Instructor for Arthroscopy, National Medical Association and Cook County Physicians Association, J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society, and the retired branch of the National Football League Players Association.
Dr. Primus and his medical staff are the team physicians for Roosevelt University and Whitney Young High School in Chicago, and Homewood Flossmoor High School and Crete-Monee High Schools in the south suburbs. Having the Chicago Center For Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery allows him to treat athletes and injured workers throughout Chicagoland.
PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
“My philosophy of care is centered around patient information and patient understanding. I embody this team concept, which means treatment decisions are made by the collective understanding of the patient and family, primary care physician and the surgeon. When everyone is on the same page, the patient is empowered and allows for a speedy and more effective recovery.”
EDUCATION
- Fellowship: Southern California Center for Sports MedicineLong Beach, CA | Sports Medicine and Knee/ShoulderArthroplasty ’07
- Residency: University of Chicago Hospitals | Chicago, ILOrthopedic Surgery ’06
- Medical: University of Chicago Pritzker School of MedicineChicago, IL | M.D. ’01
- Undergraduate: Colorado State University | Ft. Collins, COB.S., Microbiology ’93
SPECIALTIES
- Anatomical: Arm, Elbow, Foot and Ankle, Hand and Wrist, Hip, Knee,Low Back, Neck, Shoulder, Spine
- Treatment: Arthritis, Arthroscopic Surgery, Disability, JointReplacement, Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Trauma/Fractures
- Age Groups: Adult, Teen, Pediatrics
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Arthroscopy Association of North America
- J. Robert Gladden Society
- Cook County Physicians Association
- National Medical Association
- National Football League (NFL) Retired Players Association
Robert W. Coats II, M.D.
ORTHOPEDIC HAND & UPPER EXTREMITY SPECIALIST
Dr. Robert W. Coats II is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with a Surgery of the Hand Subspecialty Certificate. He has been practicing in the South Chicago Suburbs and Northwest Indiana for over 15 years. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, and an Active Member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society.
Dr. Coats completed his pre-medical Biology and Psychology degrees at the University of Michigan. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the Medical College of Ohio. He then entered the Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center for Orthopaedic Residency training. He rounded out his training at the University of Chicago Hand and Microvascular Fellowship, where he met Dr. Primus.
Dr. Coats specializes in traumatic, degenerative, and congenital conditions involving the hand and upper extremity, along with general fracture care. Non-operative, operative, arthroscopic/endoscopic, and minimally invasive treatment modalities are utilized to care for pediatric, adult, geriatric, and worker’s compensation patients. Some of his areas of specialty include endoscopic treatment of Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndromes, Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff/Labral Repair, Collagenase injection for Dupuytren’s Contracture, and upper extremity joint replacements for arthritis and/or fracture.
Dr. Coats and the staff at the Chicago Center For Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery believe in a patient-centered approach to healthcare. The best decisions are always made together, our goal is not just to educate patients about their condition but to listen to their needs. Education is a priority and Dr. Coats has trained students, therapists, nurses, residents, and other physicians to perform advanced hand surgery techniques.
Dr. Coats is an avid golfer and martial artist with a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He serves as the physician consultant for Woori Taekwondo &Hapkido Academy. He understands the challenges faced by adolescent and adult athletes, as both a surgeon and a patient. He also performs medicolegal services including, Independent Medical Evaluations, Impairment Ratings, 2nd opinions, malpractice, and utilization case reviews.
PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
“My philosophy of care is based on the principle of shared decision making. I consider it my job to educate the patient on all aspects involving the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions while learning about my patients’ needs and wants. Then together, we work towards the best possible outcome as equal partners in the process. I believe the practice of surgery involves not only a scientific component but also a spiritual one, which is both necessary for successful physician-patient partnership.”
EDUCATION
- Fellowship: University of Chicago Chicago,IL Hand and MicrovascularSurgery ‘04
- Residency: Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, MIOrthopaedic Surgery ‘03
- Medical: Medical College of Ohio, University of ToledoToledo, OHM.D. ‘98
- Undergraduate: University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIB.S. Biology and Psychology ‘93
SPECIALTIES
- Anatomic: Hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder
- Treatment: Arthritis, Dupuytren’s Contracture, nerve compression, arthroscopy/endoscopy, joint replacement, tendonitis, trauma/fracture care, ligament, tendon, and nerve repair
- Age Groups: Pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society
Dr. Bell
Philosophy of care
Dr. Bell prioritizes listening to her patients so that she can provide care best suited for the individual patient. Her patients are serviced with a holistic approach backed by research and evidence. She is also a huge proponent of educating her patients as she believes education is the best preventive medicine.
Dr. Bell is a primary care physician that treats common diseases like diabetes and hypertension. She also treats musculoskeletal conditions in athletes and non-athletes like joint, tendon, and ligament injuries with the goal of helping the patient return to sports or activities of daily living. Dr. Bell acquired a lifestyle medicine certification to further enhance her knowledge base and skillset with the goal of optimizing her patient’s health and wellbeing. Lifestyle medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic interventions including nutrition, regular physical activity, and stress management used with traditional medicine to prevent, treat, or reverse chronic disease.”
Board Certifications
Internal Medicine, Primary Care Sports Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine
Primary Care internal Medicine Residency John H Stroger/Rush University
Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship SIU Carbondale
Lifestyle medicine, American College of Lifestyle Medicine
