Steve Zerkel - Director  - P.T., A.T.C., M.Ed.

Steve Zerkel began his education at the Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelors degree in Education, specializing in Athletic Training. As a student athletic trainer he worked with the football, hockey, and baseball teams. The summer before his junior year, he worked as an athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Pirates at their rookie camp in Bradenton, Florida. He worked with the New York Yankee's Triple A club, the Columbus Clippers, as their athletic trainer during the summer following his senior year.

Steve moved on to the University of Cincinnati earning a Masters degree in education and Sports Medicine. He worked closely with the football team as a graduate assistant trainer and taught classes in the Physical Education department.

After earning his Masters degree, Steve worked for the Cincinnati Sports Medicine Center. He became the head Athletic Trainer in 1982 and served as the licensed trainer for 12 high schools in Northern Kentucky, as well as working in the rehabilitation center.

In 1983, Steve and his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. He became the co-owner and head athletic trainer of Salt Lake Knee and Sports Rehabilitation. Steve enrolled in the University of Utah in 1985, and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Therapy in June of 1987. While in Salt Lake City, Steve worked on research studies with the University of Utah gymnastic team, participated in coaching clinics, and worked with Ballet West in the rehabilitation of their professional performers.

After graduation from physical therapy school, Steve and his family relocated to the Rogue Valley and started Medford Sports Injury & Therapy Center in 1987 and Medford Spine & Sports Therapy Center in 1990. As owner and director of the clinic, Steve has treated a wide variety of sports and orthopedic injuries. His main focus is in sports medicine, but he treats all patients with orthopedic and post-op problems with the same aggressive approach. He works closely with many local injured athletes and coaches stressing the importance of strengthening as a significant component of faster recovery. After seeing a need for coverage in the White City/Eagle Point area to extend our quality care to the outlying areas of the Rogue Valley he opened Progressive Rehabilitation.

Annually, Steve attends several conferences and symposiums including the APTA Private Practice Section, the National Athletic Trainers Association, and the Oregon Physical Therapists Association. He believes it is critical to keep up on the latest breakthroughs in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. As part of personal development and to contribute to his field, Steve is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Utah, the University of Wisconsin/LaCrosse, Idaho State University, Eastern Washington University, Loma Linda University, Concordia University, and Colby Community College.

Steve received the 2001 & 2002 Clinical Instructor of the year award from Idaho State University.

Steve is a professional member of the following associations: National Athletic Trainers Association, Association of Professional Ball Players of America, Sports Physical Therapy Section; American Physical Therapy Association, Oregon Physical Therapists in Independent Practice.

In his spare time, Steve is very active in the community as a volunteer trainer for Eagle Point High School, a member of the Medford Rogue Rotary, an active member at the First United Methodist Church of Medford, a basketball coach for the YMCA league, and he is on the board of the Samaritan Counseling Center.  

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