Education and Experience
Dr. Michael DeFranco, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. DeFranco is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School, Fordham University (Cum Laude, B.S., Chemistry; Phi Beta Kappa), and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. Dr. DeFranco then received specialty training in shoulder surgery and sports medicine at several premier fellowships in the United States and Europe: (1) Sports Medicine Fellowship at Rush University Medical Center; (2) Harvard Shoulder & Elbow Surgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital; (3) European Shoulder Surgery Fellowship in France and Switzerland. Dr. DeFranco is board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. He has over 15 years of experience treating shoulder disorders and sports injuries.
He is regarded as a dedicated orthopedic educator. Dr. DeFranco is a former clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and newspaper articles. He is the author of Surviving a Season: Essential Advice for Young Athletes, Coaches, and Parents on Staying Healthy and Avoiding Sports Injuries. He created and implemented the national Protect Your Bones and Joints Program, the radio show Sports Injury Forum, and the Sports Concussion Clinic for young athletes.
Dr. DeFranco has served as a team doctor for many professional, collegiate, and high school athletic teams including the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Steel, and Chicago Bandits. Dr. DeFranco’s personal experience as an athlete includes competing in Ironman Triathlon events and New York City Marathons. He enjoys basketball, cycling, golf, running, swimming, tennis, and weightlifting.
EDUCATION
Undergraduate School
Medical School
Case Western Reserve University
Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
Ranked #3 for Adult Orthopedics by US News & World Report 2016-2017
Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, IL
Ranked #4 for Adult Orthopedic by US News & World Report 2016-2017
Harvard Shoulder & Elbow Surgery Fellowship
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Ranked #8 for Adult Orthopedics by US News & World Report 2016-2017
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Boston, MA
European Shoulder Surgery Fellowship
Centre Orthopédique Santy
Lyon, France
FIFA Medical Center of Excellence
Balgrist University Hospital
Zurich, Switzerland
Swiss Olympic Medical Center
Alps Surgery Institute
Annecy, France
TEAM PHYSICIAN EXPERIENCE
Professional
Chicago Bulls
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Steel
Chicago Bandits
AIBA World Boxing Championships
Florida Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
College
Nova Southeastern University
DePaul University
High School
St. Edward High School
Chicago Public Schools
New York City Public Schools
Whiteside County (Illinois) Public Schools
NATIONAL EDUCATOR
Protect Your Bones & Joints Program
Surviving a Season: Essential Advice for Young Athletes, Coaches, and Parents on Staying Healthy and Avoiding Sports Injuries
Sports Injury Forum Radio Show
PERSONAL ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE
Ironman Triathlon
New York City Marathons
Basketball, Cycling, Golf, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Weightlifting