Chamber Insider Blog

Congratulations to National Sports Medicine Institute (NSMI), a finalist for Health and Wellness Business of the Year! Post written by NSMI owner Dr. David C. Johnson.  The livestream of the 26th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards will premier Friday, November 13, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. on our Facebook Page.  View all 2020 SBA Finalists here.

Tell us about your business, how it got started, and how it has evolved into what it is today.

The National Sports Medicine Institute (NSMI) began providing orthopaedic surgical services and nonsurgical sports medicine care to Loudoun County residents in 2007. Our services include: orthopaedic surgery, nonsurgical sports medicine services, radiology services, biologic therapy, physical therapy, nutritional counseling, and sports performance training, all in one location.

The mission of NSMI is to establish in the field of Sports Medicine, a local, national and international leadership role, by providing the highest standard of sports orthopaedic care combined with outstanding programs of education, research and sports medicine development for the benefit of all.

Our business began as a result of a recognized need for higher level sports medicine care in Loudoun County’s rapidly growing athletic community.  We are founded on the principles of integrity, compassion, and quality of care through evidence-based practice, promotion of physical wellness and improved mobility.  Our commitment to athletic injury prevention as well as patient support during treatment and recovery from injury remains paramount to our core mission.  We care for all athletes, ranging from elite professional athletes to the recreational, weekend warriors, pediatric, high school, college, and senior athletes. NSMI has evolved into what it is today through dedicated team work from our staff, patients, and community partners towards our mission.

What would it mean for you and your business to win a Small Business Award?

We would be so honored to win a Small Business Award.  As medical professionals, our formal education and training does not include business training.  As a result, our learning curve for business has been very steep at times and there have been many valuable lessons learned.  A business award recognizing our accomplishments along our business journey would be profound for us and validate our team’s hard work and commitment towards NSMI’s mission.

What is the smallest thing that has made the biggest impact on your business?

The smallest thing that has made the biggest impact on our business has been the two words “Thank you”.  This very small gesture is used may times daily throughout our interactions.  This small gesture, taught to us by our parents as children, shows sincere appreciation for the smallest and largest accomplishments.  “Thank you” has fostered NSMI team and customer loyalty as well as a desire to consistently improve daily towards NSMI’s mission.

Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?

Although I have had many influential mentors in my career, my partner and brother Dr. Tim Johnson has had the most influence in my career.  Not only is Dr. Tim my business partner, he is also my blood brother.  We are two of seven children, six boys and one girl. We grew up in Long Island, New York.  Needless to say, we have had many lifetime moments that we have shared. Dr. Tim’s influence towards achievement has been immense for me including sports, academics, surgery, and business.  He has been a consistent and reliable sounding board throughout my education and training because of our similar career paths.   His non-judgmental presence and support during both successes and failures has no doubt influenced my career the most and has motivated me not to set limits on possibilities.

What is your favorite thing about running your business in Loudoun County?

Our favorite thing about running NSMI in Loudoun County is the community relationships established through our delivery of sports medicine care.  We are team physicians for many High Schools and sports leagues in Loudoun County.  We participate in many sports medicine community service activities such as pre-participation physicals and medical sporting event coverage.  Through our community activities, we are able to truly practice what we love to do. Through sports medicine in Loudoun County we are intimately involved in the challenges and successes of the athletes and teams we treat.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

As a child, I wanted to become a physician.  I did not imagine a career as an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon at that time.  My inspiration to become a physician initially came as a result of my brother Stephen being diagnosed and treated for a childhood cancer.

My love for sports, helping people, and performing surgery helped me to choose a career as an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon.

What is a book that changed your life, and why?

“Good to Great” by Jim Collins.  The hedgehog concept discussed in the book which centers what we are deeply passionate about, what we can be the best in the world at, and what drives our economic engine has been at the core of NSMI’s business philosophy and business success.

When you’re not at your desk, where can we find you on the weekends/what is another passion you have? 

When not performing our jobs, I enjoy golf, exercising, snowboarding, and family time.  Dr. Tim enjoys fishing, golfing, snowboarding and family time.

How do you see your business evolving in the next 5 years?

We anticipate that NSMI will continue to evolve and remain on the forefront of sports medicine care as it has done over the last 13 years.  Since our inception in 2007, NSMI has implemented innovative technology to provide the best care possible.  The vast majority of the surgery performed at NSMI is done on an outpatient basis without admission to the hospital.  Our surgeons are experts at arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery using a fiber optic camera inserted through small portal incisions.  Similarly, our surgeons are skilled at robotic, imaged-based computer assisted and imageless stereotactic guided surgery which ensures accurate and reproducible surgical outcomes via minimally invasive techniques.   The use of long acting regional anesthetics allows patient to be discharged home the same day of surgery without requiring large doses of narcotic to manage pain.  We strategically employ all of these technologies to enhance the quality of care, optimize safety, improve the patient’s surgical experience, minimize the cost of care and combat the opioid epidemic.

NSMI also provides biologic nonsurgical therapies including but not limited to platelet rich plasma injections, stem cell therapy and exosome therapy in order to enhance the body’s natural healing capacity.  We use a blood flow restriction technology to promote muscle recovery after injury/surgery.  Our Sports Science department employs a variety of technologies to quantify and track athletic fitness.  These include VO2 max testing to assess aerobic fitness, body composition and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing to optimize nutritional fitness, and video motion analysis to assess risk for injury.  Our rehabilitation programs employ a variety of technologies to enhance circulation, reduce soreness and promote recovery of injured tissues including but not limited to our Norma-Tec and cold-compression therapy.

NSMI plans to continue its innovative approach and remain on the cutting edge of sports medicine over the next 5 years through practice, research and education.   Additional services planned over the next 5 years include sports psychology and expansion of nutritional services to round out the menu of services for the athlete at NSMI.

Congratulations again to National Sports Medicine Institute! Check out their website here.