W. Stephen Choate, Head Team Physician
Dr. Stephen Choate is the Head Team Physician for the New Orleans Saints. Currently in his 9th season with the organization, Dr. Choate is also a fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist at the Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute. Prior to his time with the Saints, Dr. Choate started his career in the military having served four years in the U.S. Air Force at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona following residency. He honored his fellow comrades by ensuring they received the best care while serving our country. Dr. Choate was a Major in the Air Force and was deployed overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was Chief of the Orthopedic Department and Medical Director of Surgical Services for the 56th Medical Group. Under his leadership, the 56th Medical Group earned the Air Education and Training Command award for "Best Clinic in the Air Force" two times, as well as the "Patient Safety" award. Dr. Choate was also awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service. He believes that military members are elite athletes in their own right. His appreciation and love for working with military members (or "warrior athletes" as he refers to them), helped to fuel his desire to serve as a Sports Medicine Specialist, caring for professional athletes. Dr. Choate's military experiences serve as the foundation of the level of care and attention that he provides to the athletes he treats today. He takes great pride in caring for people who demand the most of themselves, which drives him to be better. One of his favorite mottos comes from the U.S. Military Academy Cadet Prayer, "Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole truth can be won."