SALT LAKE CITY (May 29, 2015) – The Utah Jazz announced today that long-time team physicians, Dr. Lyle Mason and Dr. Russell Shields, have been jointly selected as the 2015 NBA Physicians of the Year, as voted on by members of the NBA Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA).
Mason and Shields were the original Utah Jazz team doctors, serving for 36 years on the medical staff. The announcement was made earlier this month at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. The NBATA is also making a donation in the names of Mason and Shields to the charities of their choice.
The NBATA Physician of the Year Award is an annual honor recognizing an NBA team physician for exceptional service and care of the home and visiting teams, in addition to a commitment to service in the community and NBATA charities.
“This award is well deserved for Dr. Mason and Dr. Shields as a tribute to their service since 1979,” said Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby. “We are fortunate to have had them as our team physicians and appreciate the care they provided our players. It is a great honor for them to be recognized by their NBA peers for their contributions to the profession.”
A board certified orthopaedic surgeon, Mason is a member of the NBA Team Physicians Association, Professional Team Physicians, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as well as a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Mason graduated from Brigham Young University and earned his medical degree from Tulane University. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Oregon.
Shields graduated from Weber State University and obtained his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine. Shields is also a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, National Board of Medical Examiners, American College of Sports Medicine, Utah State Medical Society and NBA Team Physicians Association.