Assistant Professor of OMM & OPP

Education

  • DO, Honors: Cum Laude, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, North Carolina
  • BA, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
  • Fellowship: Primary Care Sports Medicine (Osteopathic Recognition), Virginia Tech: HCA Healthcare LewisGale Hospital Montgomery/VCOM- VA, Blacksburg, Virginia
  • Residency: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Internship: Internal Medicine, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio

Courses Taught

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (101, 102, 201, 202)

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R)
  • American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM)
  • American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM)
  • American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
  • Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (VOMA)

Biography

Dr. Stephen Despins was born and raised in Herndon, Virginia. He is a proud alum of the University of Notre Dame, having completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology there. He then obtained his degree in Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University as a member of the inaugural medical school class. Throughout his medical studies, Dr. Despins developed an interest in neurology and musculoskeletal medicine, which drove him to apply for a medical residency specializing in Physiatry. He completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked side-by-side with the rest of the rehabilitation team to help get their patients to recover functional well-being and return to a healthy and functional life. Upon completion in 2021, he specialized further by completing a Sports Medicine fellowship at Virginia Tech. Dr. Despins enjoys various hobbies, including running, competing in triathlons, playing broomball, playing frisbee golf, playing board games and video games, watching movies, and cheering on his Fighting Irish on football weekends.

Research Interests

  • The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to prevent sports-related injuries
  • The use of OMT in the management of concussions
  • The use of OMT in chronic pain syndromes