Team Ortho Foundation

You may know Team Ortho more as a team of runners you see a lot during marathons - those guys and gals with those blue and orange "targets" on their shirts-- but one step at a time this growing non-profit is helping Americans who suddenly find themselves with a traumatic injury.

Team Ortho Foundation officially became a non-profit in 2004. The brainchild of John Larson, Executive Director of Team Ortho, the group sets out to do "safe, high-quality races throughout the year to keep people active." Staying active is one of the best defenses against orthopaedic injuries, to areas like knees, hips, and the spine. Exercise increases or maintains your bone density; as a result you may be able to better avoid injury in the future.

But inspiring people to run or ride their bike is not all Team Ortho does. With its five big races each quarter, the organization raises money for research. Every year Team Ortho donates money to the Shriner’s Hospital, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation.

Money from Team Ortho and other groups help with research that someday could help you or a family member during a traumatic injury. Andrew Schmidt M.D. is an orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in fracture care, trauma and total joint replacement, with Hennepin County Medical Center; but he also takes part in and leads studies in orthopaedics.