Careers
Brian Forsythe, MD
Dr. Forsythe is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive techniques in sports medicine, arthroscopic shoulder, knee, and elbow surgery, and shoulder replacement. His patient care philosophy emphasizes communication and accessibility, prioritizing patients' needs through attentive listening, observation, and examination. Dr. Forsythe aims to return patients and athletes to optimal levels of activity and competition through specialized treatments or surgery. His practice encompasses advanced techniques in arthroscopic shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, and shoulder replacement surgery. He also focuses on knee ligament reconstruction (ACL/PCL), articular cartilage reconstruction, meniscal transplantation, joint-preserving osteotomies, and patella-femoral realignment and resurfacing. Additionally, Dr. Forsythe performs elbow ligament reconstruction and proximal hamstring tendon repairs, incorporating the latest technologies in Orthobiologics. Dr. Forsythe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his surgical training at the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Surgical Residency Program. He then pursued subspecialty training in shoulder and sports medicine surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Center for Sports Medicine. Dr. Forsythe is actively involved in educating surgical residents, fellows, and orthopedic surgeons. He is President of the Professional Soccer Physicians Society (MLS) and is a team physician for the Chicago White Sox (MLB) and Chicago Bulls (NBA). Dr. Forsythe has also been a team physician for U.S. Soccer and has covered teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Chicago Bears training camp, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), and New England Revolution (MLS). He has provided game coverage for numerous high schools and universities. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Forsythe is an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has presented his research nationally and internationally. He serves as a reviewer for several orthopedic journals and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Forsythe is also a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine.
Nikhil N. Verma, MD
Dr. Nikhil Verma specializes in the treatment of shoulder, elbow, and knee conditions, focusing on advanced arthroscopic reconstructive techniques, shoulder replacement, knee ligament reconstruction, As the head team physician for the Chicago White Sox, he has unique experience in treated baseball related conditions such as labrum injuries in the shoulder and ulnar collateral ligament injuries (Tommy John) in the elbow. Dr. Verma graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his orthopedic residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. He then pursued a fellowship in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he also served as an assistant team physician for the St. John's University Athletic Department. During that time, he recieved specialized training in caring for baseball athletes from David Altcheck, MD, long-time team physician of the New York Mets. Currently, Dr. Verma performs over 800 procedures annually and is the Director of the Division of Sports Medicine and the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. He serves as a the head physician for the Chicago White Sox (MLB), and assistant team physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA). Dr. Verma is also actively involved in orthopedic research, with interests in basic science, biomechanics, and clinical outcomes, receiving funding from Major League Baseball for his work. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, and he serves as teaching faculty for orthopedic courses on advanced surgical techniques. He is a frequent speaker at national and international orthopedic sports medicine meetings. Dr. Verma is an Associate Editor of the Arthroscopy Journal and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Knee Surgery. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Shoulder and Elbow Society, and Arthroscopy Association of North America, and is the past president of the Major League Baseball Team Physician Association. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has been elected by his peers to "Best Doctors in America" every year since 2007. Dr. Verma has development and licensing agreements for sports medicine implants and instruments. He also has consulting and royalty agreements with Styker, Smith and Nephew, and Arthrex. He receives research support from various companies within the orthopedic industry. Additional information regarding these relationships is available upon request. Dr. Verma was voted among the top 10-15% of Top Doctors in America® by U.S. News & World Report and Castle Connolly, which is widely regarded as a high-quality reference guide to the medical profession. He has also been listed as a top doctor by Chicago Magazine.
Brian J. Cole, MD, MBA
Dr. Brian Cole is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and a Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy, and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Cole is Managing Partner of Midwest Orthopaedics and is the Department’s Acting Chair and the Section Head of the Cartilage Research and Restoration Center. He is the Chair of Surgery at Rush Oak Park Hospital and leads the Rush Orthopedic Master’s Program. Dr. Cole was the 2020 President of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Dr. Cole also holds several other leadership positions in national and international orthopedic societies. Honors awarded to Dr. Cole range from being listed in “Best Doctors in America” since 2004 and “Top Doctor” in Chicagoland since 2003. In 2006, he was featured on the cover of Chicago Magazine as “Chicago’s Top Doctor.” In 2009, he was selected as NBA Team Physician of the Year and Orthopedics This Week has named Dr. Cole as one of the top 20 sports medicine, knee, and shoulder specialists repeatedly over the last 5 years, as selected by his peers. He is listed as America’s Best Physician every year since 2017. More recently, Dr. Cole was awarded one of the most prestigious awards in orthopedics, the 2025 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Award for his research on joint preservation and cartilage transplantation and was subsequently included in Newsweek’s 2025 America’s Leading Doctors in Sports Medicine issue. In late 2025, Dr. Cole was awarded the Golden GOAT award for a lifetime of research and clinical care in sports medicine. Most importantly, Dr. Cole’s patients describe his practice as compassionate, empathetic, always available, and willing to offer novel solutions to avoid surgery whenever possible. Testimonials to the surgical care that Dr. Cole’s team provides are frequently featured and shared with more than 5,000 online reviews. Dr. Cole’s research interests include Cartilage Restoration, OrthoBiologics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of the knee, elbow, and shoulder. He has published more than 1,000 articles and 20 textbooks on orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, has lectured nationally and internationally on more than 2,000 occasions, and has appeared as an expert on several TV documentaries. Dr. Cole’s published research is recognized as one of the most frequently referenced articles in the world, falling in the top 5% of the most read articles on Doximity.
Charles A. Bush-Joseph, MD
Dr. Charles Bush-Joseph is a renowned sports medicine and arthroscopic surgical specialist, known for his warm and compassionate bedside manner. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1983 and is currently a Professor at Rush University Medical Center, where he also serves as the Associate Director of the Rush Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. Dr. Bush-Joseph is a respected educator, lecturing at numerous national meetings and serving on the editorial boards of several prominent orthopedic journals, including the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Dr. Bush-Joseph has extensive experience in the care of high school, collegiate, and recreational athletes. He is a team physician for the Chicago White Sox (MLB) and an Associate Team Physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA). His experience with professional athletes includes serving on the Major League Baseball Medical Advisory Board and as president of the Major League Baseball Team Physician Association in 2012. This prestigious group advises the MLB Commissioner on medical policies and trends in athlete care. Academically, Dr. Bush-Joseph is nationally renowned, with leadership roles in various national orthopedic societies, including serving as president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He has authored over 140 published manuscripts and book chapters. Even with his extensive academic and professional commitments, Dr. Bush-Joseph remains deeply dedicated to patient care. He performs over 400 surgeries annually, including more than 100 knee ligament surgeries, many of which are referred by other Chicagoland orthopedic and sports medicine specialists. Dr. Bush-Joseph, who has undergone ACL reconstructions on both knees, remains active in basketball, skiing, and golf. He also enjoys attending his children’s high school and collegiate sports events, including rowing and lacrosse. His wife, Vicky, is a retired adoption attorney who continues to teach at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and is an elected member of the Hinsdale Library Board of Trustees. Dr. Bush-Joseph has been recognized among the top 1% of Top Doctors in America® by U.S. News & World Report and Castle Connolly, a testament to his excellence in the medical field.
Daniel Bohl, MD
Dr. Daniel Bohl is a nationally recognized orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon and a Professor at Rush University Medical Center. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed manuscripts and serves as a team surgeon for the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and the Chicago White Sox (MLB). Specializing in all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, Dr. Bohl focuses on foot and ankle fractures, arthritis, bunions, Achilles tendon injuries, flat foot, peroneal tendons, nerve issues, recurrent ankle sprains, and sports injuries. He is also adept in correcting failed surgeries and performing revision procedures. Dr. Bohl graduated with the highest honors from Yale School of Medicine, where he focused on minimizing orthopedic complications. He completed a five-year orthopedic surgery residency at Rush University Medical Center and further pursued a prestigious foot and ankle fellowship at Baylor University in Dallas. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Bohl runs a state-of-the-art research laboratory where he trains residents, fellows, and scientists in research methods and orthopedic practices. His lab develops and evaluates new surgical techniques and implants, and he has led significant randomized controlled trials. Dr. Bohl’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, and several other institutions and industry sponsors. His contributions have earned him over 15 awards from various societies and journals. A pioneer in minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Bohl employs advanced techniques for treating Achilles tendon ruptures, bunions, and other conditions, emphasizing small, cosmetic incisions to minimize tissue damage and expedite recovery. As a key faculty member at Rush, Dr. Bohl is involved in training orthopedic surgeons through the residency and one-year fellowship programs. He also contributes to the orthopedic community by serving on the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Research Committee and as a peer reviewer for major academic journals, including Foot and Ankle International and The Lancet. Dr. Bohl is committed to providing comprehensive care for foot and ankle conditions, for both local patients and those traveling from afar. His dedicated staff ensures a productive visit, and Dr. Bohl is committed to thorough patient education and optimal treatment outcomes.
Denis Nam, MD, MSc
Dr. Denis Nam is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee reconstruction, replacement, revision, partial knee replacement, and minimally invasive surgery. He completed his undergraduate degree in Economics and Pre-Medicine at Yale University and earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Nam finished his orthopedic residency and a fellowship in adult reconstruction and joint replacement at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He also holds a Master of Science in Clinical Research from Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Nam has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters. His accolades include the 2013 Hospital for Special Surgery Clinical Excellence Award, the Philip D. Wilson, MD Award, and the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty HAP Paul Award. He also received the ORS/OREF Travel Award in 2014, the Mark Coventry Award in 2015, and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Clinical Practice Award in 2016. His most recent honor is the James A. Rand Young Investigator’s Award from the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons in 2018. Dr. Nam is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. He serves on the AAOS Hip, Knee, & Adult Reconstruction Evaluation Committee and the AAOS Adult Reconstruction Knee Program Committee. He is also a member of the Knee Society and Hip Society and was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. His research interests include robotic-assisted total joint replacement and clinical outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty. Outside of work, Dr. Nam enjoys spending time with his wife Anna and children Henry, Alice, and Theodore, and playing ice hockey and the guitar.
Arash Sayari, MD
Dr. Arash Sayari is an orthopedic spine surgeon who sees patients in Joliet, Naperville, and Chicago. He is a clinical instructor in minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Sayari has quickly risen in the ranks amongst spine surgeons in the United States, which he credits to his hard work and the dedication of his patients. He is one of the few surgeons implementing cutting-edge technology, including endoscopic, minimally invasive, and robotic techniques. Dr. Sayari is an award-winning researcher, earning thousands of dollars in grants to create curriculums and design studies. He has since published dozens of articles and has presented his work nationally and internationally at medical conferences. Dr. Sayari is a critical reviewer for several medical journals, influencing how spine surgery is performed across the country. Born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, Dr. Sayari achieved Magna Cum Laude honors at UCLA before attending the University of Miami, where he graduated with the highest honors, Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Sayari followed up his academic achievements with residency training in orthopedic surgery at Rush University, a top program based on U.S. News & World Report rankings. To further his expertise in spine surgery, he completed a fellowship at the highly ranked Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, CA. There, he trained amongst leaders in orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgery, mastering techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery, robotics, and motion preservation. Earning the recognition and respect of his colleagues, Dr. Sayari was then recruited to join the prestigious team at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush to provide the same world-class care to the community he served during his residency training. Dr. Sayari delivers world-class care to his patients both locally and internationally, and continues to drive research and teaching efforts, spending his free academic time teaching undergraduate students, medical students, and young surgeons worldwide. An avid sports fan, Dr. Sayari loves to travel and spend his free time with his wife and two sons.
Jorge Chahla, MD, PhD
Jorge Chahla, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center and a partner at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, specializing in complex knee, hip, and shoulder procedures and sports injuries. He performs more than 800 procedures a year. His practice focuses on ACL and multiligament reconstruction (MCL, LCL, PCL), meniscus repair and meniscal transplantation, cartilage restoration, patellofemoral instability, hip arthroscopy and labral reconstruction, and rotator cuff repair and shoulder instability surgery. Dr. Chahla is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and subspecialty board certified in orthopaedic sports medicine by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed three fellowships: regenerative sports medicine at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, sports medicine at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute, and sports medicine at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. He holds an MD and a PhD in knee biomechanics, awarded summa cum laude. He serves as team physician for the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, US Soccer, and the Joffrey Ballet. At Rush, he is Director of Biomechanics Research and Director of the International Fellowship Program, and he sits on the Managing Committee of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. He directs the international fellowship program and teaches surgical technique courses worldwide. Dr. Chahla has published more than 800 peer-reviewed articles, more than 60 book chapters, and 8 edited books. The 2024 ScholarGPS ranking placed him first in the United States and fourth worldwide among orthopedic surgery researchers. He serves on the editorial boards of several high-impact journals. His research has been recognized with the AOSSM Cabaud Memorial Award on three occasions, the 2025 OREF Clinical Research Award, the 2026 ORBIT Orthopaedic Research Excellence Award, the Orthopaedic Research Society New Investigator Award, the ISAKOS Young Investigator Award, and the AAOS Scientific Exhibit Award of Excellence. He holds a 4.9 out of 5 patient rating across more than 1000 reviews and has been recognized by Healthgrades for Outstanding Patient Experience from 2023 through 2025. Dr Chahla was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026.