Welcomes Sports Medicine Surgeon, Larry R. Padgett, MD, to Physician Group

April 1, 2025

Lakeland, FL — Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group welcomed well-known, board-certified sports medicine surgeon, Larry R. Padgett, MD, on April 1, 2025.

“We are thrilled for Dr. Larry Padgett and Associates to join our world-class team of orthopedic surgeons and providers,” says Francisco J. Chebly, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director, Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group. “Our organization is dedicated to providing the most advanced orthopedic care to our patients, and Dr. Padgett’s expertise will be a wonderful addition to that mission.”

Dr. Padgett attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After completing his orthopedic surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, he completed a postgraduate fellowship in sports medicine, arthroscopy, and shoulder surgery with Dr. Richard Caspari.

Dr. Padgett’s athletic medical experience is comprehensive and includes current roles as Florida Team Physician for the Atlanta Braves, and Team Physician for Florida Southern College, Webber International University, and Warner University. Previously, he was the physician for the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, Assistant Team Physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Event Physician for the Women’s World Pro Ski Tour. In 2006, he was the Major League Physician for the World Baseball Classic. He consults as a team physician for many local high schools and provides athletic trainers for many of the high schools and their football programs.  

He enjoys research and product development and developed anterior cruciate ligament repair devices and techniques for shoulder and elbow arthroscopy.

Dr. Padgett will care for patients and athletes of all ages at the Padgett Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (250 Third Street N.W., Suite 201, Winter Haven, FL 33881). Patients can book an appointment by calling 863.318.9696.  

Lakeland Regional Health Orthopedics physicians, surgeons, advanced practitioners, and nurses offer a wide range of specialties using advanced surgical procedures, advanced technology, and innovative solutions to provide patients with individualized treatment plans. Learn more at www.mylrh.org/orthopedics.