California DC appointed to medical team of Paris Summer Games

Michael Fanning, DC, a distinguished Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) team member, has been named to the 2024 Paris Summer Games U.S. Olympic medical team.

This prestigious appointment, notes a SCUHS blog post, underscores Fanning’s exceptional expertise and dedication to supporting athletic excellence.

Fanning, a seasoned clinician in SCUHS’s  Tactical Sports Medicine department, has been an integral part of the SCU community since he joined the faculty following an impressive stint in the United States Air Force and completing his residency in the university’s Sports Medicine department. His extensive background in tactical care, both in military and civilian contexts, has equipped him with unique skills that he now extends to the Olympic arena.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has assembled a robust team of more than 58 medical professionals, including 30 USOPC Sports Medicine staff and 28 additional volunteers, to support over 850 athletes competing in 53 sports during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These medical experts, who include licensed physicians, athletic trainers, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and psychological services practitioners, are crucial to the athletes’ performance and well-being.

“The combination of USOPC staff members and volunteer medical team members provides around-the-clock care for U.S. athletes, serving as an integral part of Team USA’s success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” explained Jonathan Finnoff, DO, FACSM, the USOPC’s chief medical officer.

Fanning’s role in this extensive network of healthcare professionals is a testament to his profound commitment and expertise. This will be his fourth participation in an Olympic Games medical support team, a role he has excelled in throughout his career. His unique qualifications, stemming from his previous deployments with the Olympic team, his military background, and his medical training, make him exceptionally well-suited to handle the high-pressure environment of the Olympic Games.

“At SCU, we are incredibly proud of Dr. Fanning and his achievements. His journey from a decorated military service member to a key figure in sports medicine, which was nurtured and supported by our institution, reflects the caliber of professionals we produce,” the blog post noted. “We eagerly anticipate his representation of both our university and the United States in this monumental task at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Join us in congratulating Dr. Michael Fanning on this outstanding achievement and wishing him the best of luck in Paris. His dedication to health sciences and sports medicine inspires us all and highlights the impact of SCU in the broader medical and athletic communities.”

For more information, visit scuhs.edu.