Ortho Central’s Dr. Ted Boehm may not have been “Sooner born,” but he is quick to assure you that the rest of the familiar adage holds true—he certainly considers himself “Sooner bred” into a community that now holds an important place in his heart.
Growing up in a military family, Boehm moved frequently throughout his childhood before settling in Norman to attend the University of Oklahoma. He knew right away that the community was special, and this feeling only grew when he met his future wife, Stephanie, during his undergraduate years.
“We met because we were both members of the Pride of Oklahoma as undergraduates,” Boehm explains. “Her family has owned land in Norman since the Land Run, and she grew up in an historic home in Norman’s original township. Our kids are now the fourth generation of the family to attend Norman High School. Stephanie is about as Norman as she can get!”
Knowing Stephanie’s strong family ties to Norman, Boehm stayed in Oklahoma to earn his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, and his medical fellowship and residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
The couple has now been married for more than 20 years, and their daughter Lilly will be a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, while son Ryan will be a freshman at Norman High School this fall. These connections serve to strengthen the deep roots that Boehm has established in the community over the past two decades.
“Norman is truly great, and the No. 1 reason is because of the people. I have a pretty good perspective, since I have lived all over the country, and I just really enjoy the way it is here,” Boehm adds. “It’s wonderful to have a community with a small-town feel, without being a small town. We are able to give our children all the experiences that we want them to have. It’s so incredible that they can grow up in the same place as their parents, grandparents and great grandparents.”
Boehm specializes in sports medicine and treats patients from Ortho Central’s Norman and Midwest City offices. He focuses on injuries of the ligaments, joints and muscles, as well as non-operative fracture care, stem cell injections, platelet-rich plasma injections and ultrasound guided injections. He also specializes in concussion management care and illnesses such as exercise-induced asthma. In addition to being board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Boehm holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in sports medicine.
“I love sports medicine, especially the population of people that I am able to serve,” Boehm says. “Since many of my patients are athletes, they are often highly motivated to get back to what they want to do, which makes my job much easier. They realize that they need to follow my treatment regimen to be able to get back to doing what they love. Sometimes, they are so motivated that I struggle to rein them in and to get them to take the time truly needed to heal.”
Boehm treats patients ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics with non-operative injuries, which is approximately 80% of orthopedic injuries. He focuses on providing the type of care that he would want to receive and to make sure that his patients understand both their injury and the treatment that they are receiving.
“I try to educate my patients and I spend a lot of time going over X-rays with them, taking extra care to really explain and discuss,” he emphasizes. “I spend the time that I need to to help that patient to understand what’s going on with them. The more they understand, the more they can help with their care.”
Boehm serves as the team physician for Norman Public Schools, and is the head team physician for Norman High School. He also has been treating OU students, faculty and staff with musculoskeletal injuries and other sports medicine needs at Goddard Health Center since 2009.
“It’s a really neat position to be in, since I have covered Norman High athletes since 2003,” he explains. “I’ve gotten to know so many athletes and their families. It’s definitely a family affair, and I am honored that so many parents feel comfortable bringing their kids to see me. I often end up taking care of the whole family.”
Reflecting on nearly two decades of providing care for athletes and patients of all ages, he says that it is often what happens outside of regular office hours that makes his job so meaningful.
“It’s wonderful to be able to give back to the schools and community that I love and that has meant so much to my family,” he adds. “I am grateful to get to help people be able to do what they love, whether it’s walking around without pain or playing on the basketball court. I love being able to get people to do what they love and give them that quality of life. It’s why I do what I do every day.”
For more information about Dr. Boehm or Norman Regional Health System’s Ortho Central, visit OrthoCentralOK.com or call 405.360.6764.
