Dr. Nick Kennedy
Yakima grown. Mayo Clinic trained. Internationally known.
Dr. Nicholas Kennedy, aka Nick the Knee MD, is an orthopedic surgeon practicing at Multicare Orthopedics Northwest based in Yakima, Washington, where he specializes in complex knee and sports-related injuries. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and a Clinical Associate Professor at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, and is a team physician for the Central Washington University Football team. Additionally, he serves as a reviewer for the American Journal of Sports Medicine, and is on the editorial board for the Video Journal of Sports Medicine.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, & AWARDS
Dr. Kennedy developed a passion for everything knee related during a year of research at the world-famous Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. He spent the year learning about knee anatomy, biomechanics, and injuries from Dr. Robert LaPrade, one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of complex knee surgery. It was then that he decided what he wanted to focus on.
From that point on, Dr. Kennedy’s career decisions were structured with a singular goal in mind: to become an expert in the field of knee surgery. He attended Oregon Health & Science University where he earned his MD, and completed his residency training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, expanding his orthopedic knowledge and learning from legends in the orthopedic knee world such as Dr. Daniel Saris.
Dr. Kennedy finalized his orthopedic surgery training back with his mentor, Dr. LaPrade, and his colleagues at Twin Cities Orthopedics during his sports medicine fellowship, specializing and gaining experience in complex open and arthroscopic knee surgery. Outside of the operating room, Dr. Kennedy served as a team physician for both the Minor League St. Paul Saints and the Major League Minnesota Twins.
Dr. Kennedy received an Excellence in Research Award from AOSSM for work on Posterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Fixation Angles, is a 2023 AANA Fellows Meeting Scholarship Recipient, and received a 2019 IJSPT Achievement of Distinction: Best Case Study Manuscript Award at the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy.
RESEARCH, publications and academia
Nick places great value on maintenance of a growth mindset, with the goal of continuing to improve his knowledge and craft, allowing him to best care for his patients. Dr. Kennedy is actively involved in academic research, and has been involved in over 100 peer reviewed publications and book chapters, in textbooks and medical journals respectively. Through these academic pursuits, he has cultivated ongoing working relationships with many orthopedic experts at various institutions both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Kennedy also has a passion for remaining actively involved in the educational side of medicine and playing a hands-on role in educating future medical providers. He mentors rotating medical students in both the clinical and operating room settings. Dr. Kennedy also regularly lectures at graduate medical schools, including Washington State University Elson S Floyd Medical School and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, in addition to major medical conferences around the world, most recently at the 2nd Complex Knee Injury Course in Jaipur, India.
Yakima Valley, photo by Tom Link
PERSONAL LIFE
Dr. Kennedy grew up in Yakima, Washington, where he was raised with his younger sister and brother. From a young age, he developed a love for all things sports, his favorite being football. As a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan, he has trouble maintaining a healthy blood pressure while watching games, but remains loyal nonetheless.
He loves the outdoors, such as hiking, biking, golfing, hunting and fly fishing. Dr. Kennedy is thrilled to be a Girl Dad to three daughters, with his wife who is also from the Yakima Valley. Upon completing his residency and specialization, they returned home and Dr. Kennedy began practicing at Multicare Orthopedics Northwest, joining his father Dr. Thomas Kennedy, a fellow sports medicine physician.