The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) has named Dallas Mavericks Team Physician, Dr. Daniel Worrel, the 2023 NBA Team Physician of the year.
The NBATA Physician of the Year award is an annual honor voted on by the members of the NBATA, designed to recognize a physician for exceptional service and care provided to athletes, commitment to service in the community and to NBATA charities.
“Dallas is a city where teams often spend multiple days around games, and this year we have had quite a number of visiting athletes with medical needs,” said Casey Smith, Dallas Mavs Vice President of Player Health and Performance. “Dr. Worrel has gone above and beyond to help these athletes out in a timely and professional manner.”
Dr. Worrel has served as head team physician for the Dallas Mavericks for seven years and specializes in elbow, shoulder and sports medicine surgery.
In addition to treating the athletes of the Dallas Mavericks and Southern Methodist University, Dr. Worrel treats athletes at all levels. He has provided coverage for The PGA’s Byron Nelson Classic since 2006, along with The NCAA’s Cotton Bowl Classic, professional rodeo, baseball, and hockey.
He graduated with Honors in Liberal Arts with a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Southern Methodist University and received his Doctorate from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas where he was a latros Award finalist.
“This past season, he and his staff were very accommodating when it came to fitting in visiting team’s requests,” said Heather Mau, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Dallas Mavericks. “Dallas is a hot spot for teams to stay here multiple days, and I thought he and his staff did an amazing job making sure that the visiting teams and athletes felt taken care of while they were in town.”
Dr. Worrel believes very strongly in the importance of an open and honest patient-physician relationship and feels knowledgeable patients make the best decisions about their own treatment. Dr. Worrel feels it is his responsibility to make sure patients are well informed about their conditions and the multiple choices of treatment.
The award will be formally presented to Dr. Worrel by NBATA Chairperson & Senior Director of Medical Operations / Head Athletic Trainer for the Indiana Pacers, Josh Corbeil at the Mavericks vs Pacers game this upcoming season.
About the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA)
The NBATA is a professional organization of highly skilled certified athletic trainers who provide specialized health care and critical support services to the athletes and organizations of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Members are committed and uniquely qualified to lead the management and practice of exceptional health care, and conduct basketball-related sports medicine research to benefit the athletes of the NBA and our communities. The NBATA’s members uphold the athletic training profession’s highest moral and ethical standards. For more information about the NBATA, visit www.nbata.com.
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