Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Carfagno, do, caqsm. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Having been a soccer player and collegiate football player, I have been involved with sports my whole life. I studied exercise science and sports nutrition in undergraduate at ASU and trained athletes for nearly five years. I fell into medicine via my PCP, Dr. Paul Steingard, who convinced me to go into medicine. Since then, I always wanted to have a practice in medicine like the one I do now, that focuses on the complete evaluation of the active patient, metabolic and physiological assessments to meet their internal medical and orthopedic needs. I’ve been involved in professional sports medicine coverage for 25 years in multiple sports as a team doctor, medical director and have loved what I do.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
I’m a board certified Sports Medicine and Internal Medicine Physician. My background is Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition, having studied at ASU. I was a personal trainer in the Valley for five years and played football at USD and ASU. I have a clinic which takes care of the holistic athlete – Orthopedic and Internal Medicine meets the exercise physiology and metabolic science. I have been a team physician at numerous levels of all sports, and notably the medical director for Ironman and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, both local and National for nearly 20 years. I apply that knowledge to my base of patients and also compete with them as I am involved with USA Triathlon as an athlete myself and make Team USA by qualifying to compete at World Championships every year. My motto is Treat and Compete. Treat my athletes as well as compete with them.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Treat each patient like they’re the only one I’m seeing for the day. Answer all questions. It’s really about the patient experience. Just like a sporting event, concert, art/festivals, it’s about the experience. Best marketing is word of mouth.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
I would have pursued professional soccer, my main love. In medicine, while in residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, I would have gone into Pulmonary/Critical Care because I love being in the most critical situations and taking charge. Hence, now, I medically direct large scale endurance events in triathlons and marathons. I was also the ringside physician for professional MMA and Boxing for more than 20 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scottsdalesportsmedicine.com
- Instagram: scottsdale_sports_medicine
- Facebook: Scottsdale Sports Medicine
- Linkedin: David Carfagno, DO, CAQSM
- Twitter: Dave Carfagno DO CAQ@SSMI444
- Youtube: Scottsdale Sports Medicine
- Yelp: Scottsdale Sports Medicine Institute