Recognizing the need for the collaboration and continuing education of physicians practicing ringside medicine throughout the United States, Dr. Michael Schwartz of Darian, Connecticut and others established the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) in 1997. The goal was to more effectively protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of professional boxers.
In 2014, following the departure of Dr. Schwartz and the cessation of the AAPRP, the Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) was formed and incorporated as a non-profit educational and scientific association. The edict and ultimate goals of the ARP are to
ARP board of Directors and the ARP Emeritus board
ARP board of Directors and the ARP Emeritus board
Recognizing the need for the collaboration and continuing education of physicians practicing ringside medicine throughout the United States, Dr. Michael Schwartz of Darian, Connecticut and others established the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) in 1997. The goal was to more effectively protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of professional boxers.
In 2014, following the departure of Dr. Schwartz and the cessation of the AAPRP, the Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) was formed and incorporated as a non-profit educational and scientific association. The edict and ultimate goals of the ARP are to:
What Sets Us Apart
The ARP membership encompasses physicians, allied healthcare professionals, students, members of governmental commissions, sanctioning bodies, promoters, trainers, and others involved in providing for the health, safety, and welfare of those participating in both amateur and professional combat sports.
Toward our ultimate ends of uniformity and effective enforcement of ringside medical standards worldwide, the ARP offers its services to all – inclusively, not exclusively.
The ARP conducts an annual medical conference in which experts in their ringside medicine and other related subjects present on an array of relevant topics.
Ringside medicine is an amalgamation of all aspects of medicine. Conference speakers come from a wide variety of different subspecialties.
Physicians attending the ARP’s annual medical conference earn continuing medical education credits.
The ARP annual conference also features professional special guest presenters from outside the world of medicine. Speakers have included Bernard Hopkins, Emanuel Steward, Sergey Kovalev, Timothy Bradley, Mickey Ward and Evander Holyfield from the world of boxing, and Forrest Griffin and referee “Big John” McCarthy representing MMA.
In 2012, the ARP developed an examination that certifies physicians as qualified to practice ringside medicine. The ARP maintains and publishes a directory of certified ringside physicians who provide ringside coverage around the world.
The ARP also periodically issues Consensus Statements regarding topics such as Concussion, Testosterone Therapeutic Use Exemptions, Weight Management in Professional Combat Sports, and Blood-Bourne Infectious Disease Screening in Combat Sports.