Contributor

Dr. Johnny Benjamin

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Medical Journalist

Dr. Johnny C. Benjamin is Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Indian River Medical Center, Director of the Joint Implant Center and Director of Medical Specialty Procedures Surgery Center in Vero Beach, Florida. Dr. Benjamin is one of twenty fellowship-trained African-American orthopedic spine surgeons in the country. During the past eleven years, he has developed a national reputation for providing insightful and relevant orthopedic medical commentary regarding injuries, safety measures and business matters related to sports and general health.

Dr. Benjamin is highly respected amongst his peers, professional and collegiate athletes for his honesty, integrity and natural straight forward manner. His approach to medicine is refreshing in this current era of ‘spin doctors’. He states, “My mission is to explain the physical and social impact of orthopedics upon sports and daily life. I pray that my articulate straight-forward style will help to transcend barriers and defy popular stereotypes.”

He is often called upon to participate in the national dialogue on numerous topics as varied as school back packs causing childhood scoliosis, perils of yoga, steroid scandal in professional sports, impact of injuries sustained by professional and collegiate athletes, the benefits of drinking milk and more. Dr. Benjamin has treated a number of elite athletes from the NFL, NBA and MLB. His medical practice has a unique niche within professional boxing and mixed martial arts. He has worked with world champion boxers including Antonio Tarver, Arturo Gatti, Laila Ali, Vernon Forrest and Nate Campbell amongst others.

Dr. Benjamin continues to set new standards in medical service delivery and challenge the status quo. As an African-American medical administrator, leader in the medical field and community at large, he is committed to helping define the “new face of America”. He has been interviewed and quoted in numerous high profile media outlets such as CBS evening News with Katie Couric, FOX News Live, Bloomberg TV, Inside MMA, Houston Chronicle, ESPN.com, Men’s Fitness, Health Magazine, Steve Harvey Morning Show and many more.

Dr. Benjamin, a native of Houston, Texas, received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his medical degree from the University of Texas. He underwent his orthopedic surgery training at Temple University Hospital. His sixth year of post-doctoral training was a spinal surgery fellowship at the Florida Spine Institute. Dr. Benjamin is a member of the board of directors of the Indian River Education Foundation and the Indian River Community College Richardson Center.