New York’s first professional rugby franchise, Rugby United New York (RUNY), announced today that Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) will be the team’s Official Medical Partner. The new multi-year partnership grants RUNY access to one of the global leaders in sports medicine. HSS, the nation’s top-ranked hospital for orthopedics for the past nine consecutive years according to U.S. News & World Report, will deliver access to high quality preventative, surgical, rehabilitative and performance services to these athletes.

With this partnership, RUNY has officially named Andrew Pearle, MD, as the Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon, and Brett Toresdahl, MD, as Head Team Physician.

"RUNY is thrilled to announce our partnership with Hospital for Special Surgery, one of the global leaders in orthopedic care," said RUNY Owner James Kennedy. "Dr. Pearle and Dr. Toresdahl will provide our athletes with the best possible treatment. These professionals will allow us to compete week in and week out in a grueling 16 game season."

"Rugby is a fast-moving contact sport and its players are arguably among the toughest athletes out there," said Brett Toresdahl, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS. "We are looking forward to helping these athletes stay at the top of their game while playing safely."

Dr. Toresdahl is also a Team Physician for US Biathlon as well as an Orthopedic Consultant for the UFC. Dr. Toresdahl will be joined by HSS colleague Dr. Pearle, Medical Director at HSS Westchester, who will serve as RUNY’s Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon.  In addition to his responsibilities at HSS, Dr. Pearle is a Team Physician for the New York Mets and coordinates care for the minor league affiliates including the Brooklyn Cyclones. As team physicians for RUNY, Dr. Toresdahl and Dr. Pearle will be providing orthopedic consultation services and overseeing the rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries at the RUNY training facility as well as at their home field, MCU Park, in Brooklyn.

RUNY has kicked off their inaugural Major League Rugby season with wins over the San Diego Legion and the New Orleans (NOLA) Gold. Their season continues this Friday, March 8th, when New York’s rugby franchise travels to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Warriors. The game will be broadcast live on SNY.