Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Conference - TRIA Research and Education Center

Agenda CME Registration Location Exhibitors

Speakers and moderators

Tina Atkinson, MD, CCFP (SEM), Dip Sport Med, HPC
Professional Women’s Hockey League

Tina Atkinson, MD, CCFP (SEM), Dip Sport Med HPC, is the Chief Medical Officer for the Professional Women’s Hockey League and a leading sport medicine physician based in Nova Scotia. Her academic journey spans Acadia University BSC, Dalhousie University, and University of Calgary Family Medicine. She is an active member of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine. With extensive experience supporting elite athletes, she brings a strong blend of clinical expertise and leadership to professional hockey.

Matt Bouche, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
TRIA GameFace / Minnesota Wild

Matt Bouche, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, is a Physical Therapist at TRIA GameFace and with the Minnesota Wild. Matt is a member of AASPT, APTA, and works with the Protocol Committee, Return to Soccer Program, and the Return to Hockey Program. Matt brings expertise and innovation to the field of sports medicine and orthopedics.

Brian Busconi, MD
UMass Memorial Health

Brian Busconi, MD, is the Chief of Sports Medicine at UMass Memorial, where he leads clinical, surgical, and research initiatives in orthopedic sports medicine. He is a member of the AOSSM, AAOS, and the Herodicus Society. Dr. Busconi trained at Harvard University, Tufts University, and the University of Massachusetts. Over the last ten years, he has authored more than 40 publications, contributing significantly to advancements in athlete care and sports medicine education.

Peter Cole, MD, FAOA
Regions Hospital / HealthPartners Specialty Center

Peter Cole, MD, FAOA, is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota and serves as Division Medical Director for HealthPartners. He leads trauma services for the NorthStar Trauma Network and the Regions Level I Trauma Center, where he is recognized internationally for his expertise in orthopedic trauma. Dr. Cole is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including AAOS, AO Trauma, AOA, CMDA, CWIS, MOS, OTA, and IGFS. His training includes medical school at the University of Miami, residency at Brown University, and sequential trauma fellowships at Brown and Harborview Medical Center. Over the past decade, he has published more than 100 peer‑reviewed articles, shaping advancements in complex fracture care worldwide.

Brian Cunningham, MD, FAAOS, FAOA
TRIA

Brian Cunningham, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, is the Vice Chair and Director of Inpatient Orthopedics at Methodist Hospital and Medical Director of the TRIA Ambulatory Surgery Center. A national leader in orthopedic trauma, he serves on multiple AAOS committees and holds board and leadership roles within the OTA and the NorthStar Trauma Network. Dr. Cunningham is also a member of AOA and AAHKS. He completed his orthopedic trauma fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Over the past decade, he has published more than 100 peer‑reviewed works, advancing care pathways and system-level innovation in orthopedic trauma and value based care.

Aimee Custer, PsyD, LP
TRIA

Dr. Aimee Custer is a Clinical Sports Neuropsychologist and serves as the Clinical Director of the TRIA Sport Concussion Program. She is fellowship trained through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, specializing in the treatment of sport concussion and post-concussion syndrome. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Minnesota Professional School of Psychology at Argosy University after completing undergrad at the College of St. Benedicts. She studied rehabilitation and health psychology with a focus on spinal cord injury, brain injury and polytrauma during her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Missouri. She has experience working with athletes across all levels, including youth, collegiate, professional and Olympic, seeing well over 10,000 concussion patient visits in her career thus far. She serves as the team neuropsychologist for the MN Frost Professional Women’s Hockey and was previously retained for three years by the NHL for the Player’s Concussion Injury Litigation. She is active in research, education and program development, supervising students on a yearly basis and currently collaborating on several grant funded studies.

Sean Engel, MD
MHealth Clinics and Surgery Center

Sean Engel, MD, is an Assistant Professor in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota, specializing in primary care sports medicine. He is active in AMSSM, AAFP, and serves on the ACSM Education Committee. initiatives and completed fellowship training at the University of Chicago NorthShore. His work emphasizes comprehensive athlete care and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Matt Harder, MS, ATC, CSCS
Minnesota Wild

Matt Harder, MS, ATC, CSCS, is a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist with extensive experience across the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. He is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Minnesota Wild. He has also worked with the Iowa Wild, Arizona Coyotes, and Tucson Roadrunners. He has a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and exercise science and a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of North Dakota.

T. Sean Lynch, MD
Henry Ford Health

Sean Lynch, MD is a senior orthopedic sports surgeon and Vice Chairman of Academic Affairs at Henry Ford Health. A national leader in hip and knee care, he specializes in minimally invasive procedures for athletes—from youth players to pros. A former competitive hockey player himself, Dr. Lynch serves as a Team Physician for USA Hockey and is the Head Team Physician for the Detroit Lions. He previously cared for athletes with the New York Yankees, NYCFC, and Fordham University, and led the Center for Athletic Hip Injuries and Hip Preservation at Columbia University. A Nebraska native, he trained at Georgetown, Northwestern, and the Cleveland Clinic, earning the prestigious Herodicus Society North American Traveling Fellowship for top sports medicine fellows. Dr. Lynch lectures internationally on hip and knee injuries and is known for combining elite-level clinical expertise with a clear, athlete‑centered approach to care.

Peter MacDonald, MD, FRCSC
Pan Am Clinic

Dr. Peter MacDonald, MD, FRCSC, is a Professor of Surgery and Gibson Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research at the University of Manitoba. He serves as Site Medical Lead and Medical Director of Surgery at the Pan Am Clinic, where he is also Chief Research and Innovation Officer. A past President of both the Canadian Orthopaedic Association and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, he is recognized internationally for his leadership in orthopaedics. His clinical and research work centers on upper extremity, knee, sports injuries, and arthroscopy, with more than 200 peer‑reviewed publications and over 600 national and international presentations. He previously served on multiple editorial boards, including as Associate Editor for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Dr. MacDonald is the Head Team Physician for the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and Head Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL).

Brad Nelson, MD
TRIA / University of Minnesota

Brad Nelson, MD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he leads departmental strategy, research advancement, and educational excellence. He practices clinically at TRIA Orthopedic Center and the University of Minnesota, with a focus on sports medicine and complex knee care. He is a Wild Team Physician, Head Physicians of U of M Athletics, and Chief Medical Director of TRIA Research and Education. Dr. Nelson earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Colorado. He went on to complete the West Point Army Sports Medicine Fellowship. A member of AOSSM, ISAKOS, the Herodicus Society, and AAOS, he remains active in national leadership and education. Dr. Nelson has authored numerous publications over the past decade, contributing meaningfully to innovation in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery.

Amanda Schroeder, MD
TRIA

Amanda Schroeder, MD, is a sports medicine, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon with specialized expertise in knee and shoulder care, including advanced management of meniscal injuries. She has provided medical coverage for elite collegiate and professional athletes across multiple sports, including teams at the University of Cincinnati, the University of Minnesota, the former Minnesota Whitecaps, and the Minnesota Twins. Dr. Schroeder is highly experienced in both open and arthroscopic knee procedures, giving her deep insight into meniscus preservation, repair, and comprehensive knee‑injury management. She is committed to individualized care that balances conservative treatment with surgical intervention to help patients return to their active lifestyles.

Ashley TeKippe, MD, CAQ
TRIA / Regions Hospital

Ashley TeKippe, MD, is a board certified emergency medicine and sports medicine physician. She brings advanced expertise in the rapid evaluation of vascular and cervical spine injuries where swift recognition, airway protection, and stabilization can be lifesaving. Dr. TeKippe is currently an emergency physician for the Minnesota Wild and the head physician for Circus Juventas, applying her emergency medicine skill set to complex, high‑velocity performance environments. Her clinical interests include musculoskeletal ultrasound, return to play decision making, and the emergent management of athletes in acute settings.

Jeff Winslow, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
University of Minnesota

Jeff Winslow, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, is Assistant Athletic Director and Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Minnesota. He brings extensive experience in collegiate sports medicine and strength and conditioning, supported by degrees from Winona State University and Syracuse University. His leadership spans athlete health, performance, and interdisciplinary sports medicine operations.