Doctor brings experience as team physician for Triple-A Worcester Red Sox to Southcoast Health

FALL RIVER and NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Expanding sports medicine services across the region, Southcoast Health welcomed a new provider, John Ponti MD, CAQSM, to the health system on August 15. Dr. Ponti practices at Southcoast Health’s Orthopedic Clinics in Dartmouth and Swansea.

“My role as a Sports Medicine Physician is to accurately identify what is going on, get a diagnosis, and ensure it is safe for patients to get back out on the field, or return to work,” said Dr. Ponti. “With a holistic approach, I work directly with each patient to create an individualized plan that will help get them back to their routine activities safely, achieve their goals, and prevent future injuries.”

Initially a primary care physician, Dr. Ponti completed his residency at Brown Family Medicine in Pawtucket, Rhode Island before going on to specialize in sports medicine. He then completed his fellowship at UMass Sports & Exercise Medicine through the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worchester, Massachusetts.

“Dr. Ponti is a fantastic addition to Southcoast Health,” says Kathleen Thornton, Team leader for Athletic Training, Ergonomics and Injury Prevention at Southcoast Health. “Having another provider in the area that specializes in sports medicine is an amazing resource for patients in our region.”

Dr. Ponti specializes in the non-operative care of musculoskeletal injuries and chronic joint pain. In addition to his role at Southcoast, he serves as the team physician for Providence College Athletics and has extensive experience as a former team physician for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the College of the Holy Cross.

Additionally addressing sports medicine needs in the community, Southcoast Health’s Athletic Trainers collaborate annually with over 10 local high schools. In this role, the Athletic Trainers collaborate with parents, coaches and students to keep all athletes engaging in interscholastic sports safe and prepared to perform their best.

“Through the athletic training program, Southcoast Health is looking out for not only the health of its employees and patients, but the community as a whole. This longstanding program helps these athletes get the medical care they not only need but deserve,” said Thornton. “I am fortunate to have experience being placed at multiple schools through the region. Working closely with an injured athlete and seeing them get back to the level they want to be playing is very rewarding.”

Athletic Trainers are Allied Health Professionals that specialize in caring for an injured athlete from the moment of injury until they are ready to return to play. This includes providing emergent care, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.

To learn more about Sports Medicine at Southcoast Health, visit southcoast.org/services/sports-medicine, or call 508-973-2211 to make an appointment with Dr. Ponti.