For more than two decades, orthopedic surgeon Derek Papp has helped young (and old) athletes return to competition following major injury.
He specializes in arthroscopic surgery and surgical treatment of the shoulder, elbow and knee injuries. Working in the Florida Keys and South Florida, Papp has also helped many people who’ve dealt with the wear and tear — and pain — in their knees, elbows and shoulders.
More than anything, Papp says he loves to help people. Much like he tends to injuries for one Major League Baseball team, Papp also treats his local patients like pros.
A board-certified orthopedic sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon, Papp provides arguably the best care patients need when it comes to musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. His years in the field have also seen him at Major League ballparks throughout the U.S. and baseball diamonds around the world.
“I especially enjoy helping athletes who are facing challenges in their sporting lives,” he said. His clinical and research interests include throwing athletes, especially shoulder and elbow injuries.
Before Papp became director of orthopedic surgery in the Florida Keys at Baptist Health, he attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He continued on with his residency at Johns Hopkins, and it was there where Papp covered his first professional baseball game as a resident physician with the Baltimore Orioles.
Five years later, he joined as a team physician. He’s been a member of the MLB Team Physicians’ Association for more than a decade.
“I was the No. 2 guy in Baltimore back then behind Michael Jacobs,” Papp said. “Mike was great — I’ve operated on MLB players and World Series champions because of the opportunities he gave me.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun,” Papp said, looking back at his years as team physician for the Orioles. “Baseball is one of those sports that goes on all year.”
Last month, the Orioles traveled to Miami to face the Marlins for a three-game series. Papp was on hand as team physician.
Papp has served as venue physician for the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami and Taichung, Taiwan, as well as in Korea and Mexico during the 2017 WBC tournament and 2016 qualifier.
“As much as I love living and taking care of people down here in the Keys, it’s nice to stay plugged in to the outside world,” he said.
During a trip to Tokyo, Papp had the chance to operate and learn with Hiro Sugaya, one of the more widely-regarded shoulder surgeons in Japan and around the world.
In addition to helping pros and local patients, Papp has treated many high school and collegiate athletes. He recently started assisting the Florida International University athletics program.
He’s an active member of several professional societies, including the MLB group, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Association of North America, where he serves on the education committee.
