The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management and the UAF Associated Students of Business have selected Dr. Cary S. Keller as the 2009 Business Leader of the Year.   Dr. Keller is an orthopaedic surgeon and the Founder and Medical Director of Sportsmedicine Fairbanks, an Orthopaedic Surgery and Sportsmedicine Clinic.   Recipients of this prestigious award are selected for their business excellence, educational support and community service.

Dr. Keller’s work in Alaska has been guided by his strong ethics and commitment to quality patient care and has changed the way healthcare is conducted in our state.   With a focus on injury prevention through sports medicine and athletic rehabilitation, post-injury outcomes result in more rapid return to athletics and return to work.

Since he came to Alaska, Dr. Keller has volunteered his time to take care of high school and collegiate athletes on playing fields and ice rinks.   He travels with teams from Alaska across the nation, and has provided the model of athletic healthcare for educational venues that has expanded statewide.   Almost 25 years ago, Dr. Keller established the Athletic Training Program, served as its Medical Director, and sponsored athletic trainers for district high schools.   ATP remains the only program of its kind in Alaska, and the commitment to injury prevention and healthcare of student athletes has decreased the incidence of athletic injury significantly.

Dr. Keller has also provided volunteer medical care at the Chena River Run and the Midnight Sun run, served as Team Physician for the Alaska Goldpanners, the Alaska Smokejumpers, the North Star Ballet Company, and served as Tournament Physician for the Alaska State Football, Wrestling, and Hockey Championships.   In addition, he has served as Chairman of the Arctic Winter Games Medical Committee and Physician to Team Alaska.   In 2004 he received the Golden Heart Award from the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his endeavors, contributions, and significant impact on the Fairbanks community.   His commitment to his patients and to his community, especially UAF, is unparalleled.   Dr. Keller’s energy and warm humility are exceeded only by his devoted attention to the athlete in each of us.

We hope you will join UAF and the Fairbanks community as we celebrate Dr. Keller’s receipt of this award on March 27^th at the Princess Hotel.   Cocktails start at 6pm, dinner begins at 7pm. Admission: $50; Students: $40; Table of 10: $475.