The Green Bay Packers have made some updates to the medical staff. The announcement was made Thursday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
Dr. Michael K. Ryan has been named the head team physician of the Green Bay Packers after serving as an assistant team physician for the Packers since 2023 under the long-standing head team physician, Dr. Patrick McKenzie. The Colorado Springs, Colorado native moved to Green Bay from Birmingham, Alabama., where he was a partner at the renowned Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center. There he was the co-founder of The Hip Center and served as the team physician for the Birmingham Squadron (NBA G League), Samford University and various high schools. Ryan is a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon board certified in orthopaedics and sports medicine who specializes in sports-medicine and hip preservation surgery, including expertise in hip, knee, and shoulder. He previously provided on-site medical coverage for the University of Alabama football team and University of Alabama athletics, the Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament, the Birmingham Barons, the Birmingham Ballet, Athletes Without Limits, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, New York Public School football, and New York University and Long Island University athletics. He currently serves as team physician of St. Norbert's College, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and Kimberly High School.
Ryan graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in preprofessional studies and earned his medical degree from the University of Georgetown School of Medicine. He completed his orthopedic residency training at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, followed by a sports medicine fellowship with E. Lyle Cain, M.D., Jeffery R. Dugas, M.D., and Benton A. Emblom M.D. at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) established by Dr. James R. Andrews in Birmingham. Additionally, Ryan completed a fellowship in hip preservation in Bern, Switzerland, working with some of the world's pioneers in hip preservation and surgical treatment of hip pathology in adolescents and young adults. He serves on multiple advisory boards and committees, including the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association's Medical Advisory Committee.
McKenzie, who has been the head team physician with the Packers for 30-plus years, has moved into a role as senior medical advisor. McKenzie is an orthopedic surgeon with specialties in sports medicine, arthroscopy and ligament reconstruction. In 2022, he received the Bob Harlan Leadership Award from The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. In 2011, he received the Jerry "Hawk" Rhea Award as the NFL's physician of the year in honor of his work during the 2010 season when the Packers had the longest injured-reserve list in the league. McKenzie has taught numerous classes in the athletic training program at UW-Oshkosh while also serving as the team physician for the Titans for over 25 years and has been a member of the WIAA Medical Advisory Committee. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. McKenzie then completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and fellowships in both arthroscopy and sports medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL under the direction and tutelage of Dr. James Andrews. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Jeremy Metzler, who joined the Packers in 2023, will continue in his role as an associate team physician. Metzler is a sports medicine and family medicine physician who works at medical centers and hospitals in Green Bay and Luxemburg, Wis. The New Franken, Wis., native provides routine care for children and adults, and preventive medicine, health medicine and sports medicine care. He is a credentialed ImPact™ consultant to diagnose and manage concussions. Metzler also provides non-operative orthopedic care, casting and splinting, and advanced non-operative musculoskeletal services, which includes diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound guided injections.
Metzler received his undergrad from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He did his residency at the University of Wisconsin Health Fox Valley Family Medicine and his fellowship at Primary Care Sports Medicine, Sparrow Hospital/Michigan State University. Metzler is certified through the American Board of Family Medicine with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine, and is a member of the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Wisconsin State Medical Society.
Dr. Kyle McCarty started with the Packers in 2024 and will work as an emergency medicine physician. He had previously served as an NFL Airway Management Physician from 2012-2023. Dr. McCarty is a board certified emergency medicine physician in Green Bay and has 15-plus years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. He also serves as the Medical Director for the Green Bay Metro Fire Dept and Green Bay Police Dept.
Dr. Alan Shamrock enters his first season with the Packers as an associate team physician. He is a dual fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in disorders of the foot and ankle as well as sports-medicine injuries of the knee. Offering comprehensive orthopedic, sports medicine and foot/ankle care, some of his key services include management of sports and athletic injuries, acute muscle, bone, and joint injuries, as well as trauma and fractures. Shamrock graduated from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. He completed his dual fellowship in Sports Medicine and Foot and Ankle Surgery from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, N.Y.
