University of Connecticut Athletics
Remembering Doc A
9/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | General
STORRS, Conn. - Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, who served as UConn's Director of Sports Medicine from 1993 until 2014, passed away suddenly on Wednesday. Anderson was still part of the UConn community as he was currently serving as the Medical Director for Student Health Services.
Anderson oversaw an operation in UConn Athletics that met the medical needs of UConn student-athletes in all 24 sports. He was a trusted colleague to Husky coaches and staff and was beloved by the student-athletes for whom he provided care.
He was honored with a moment of silence before UConn's season-opening football game vs. Holy Cross on Thursday.
"Jeff was a great person and his loss leaves all of us with a big absence in our lives," said Dr. Deena Casiero, the current Director of Sports Medicine at UConn. Casiero was a fellow under Anderson's guidance in 2009-10.
"Jeff's impact on the UConn campus was far-reaching," said Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Michael Gilbert. "He affected many different people in many different ways. I enjoyed being around him because he would always lift my spirits."
"Dr. Anderson was very dedicated to taking care of our students and always emphasized the importance of the 'three Cs' - caring, competent and compassionate care," said Student Health Services Executive Director Dr. Suzanne Onorato. "He had a natural ability to put our patients at ease by connecting with them. He really understood what college students need. Jeff believed strongly that Student Health Services provided care that supported the student through recovery as well as through academic success. Students, staff, and colleagues all were touched by his vision, commitment and dedication to the UConn community."
Anderson also was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine for UConn Health. He had also previously served as the Medical Director for the Human Performance Laboratory in UConn's Department of Kinesiology.
"Jeff loved to teach and was passionate about our profession," said Casiero. "He loved working with the teams and the student-athletes, but people didn't see how much teaching was a part of who he was. It gave him a great deal of happiness.
"Jeff would share his knowledge and guidance about our profession to anyone he could - other doctors, athletic trainers, fellows and college students. Jeff also loved to gather people together and celebrate and just spend time with his colleagues."
On the national scene, Anderson had served in the prestigious position as the Independent Program Administrator of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
He earned his medical degree in June 1990 from the University of Michigan after earning his undergraduate degree from North Park University in Chicago in May 1986.
A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Anderson is survived by his wife Christine and sons Erik and Luke.
The Jeff Anderson Memorial Fund has been established to benefit the American Medical Society For Sports Medicine Foundation. Gifts can be made electronically at https://www.amssm.org/FoundationDonation.php - using dropdown option of Anderson Memorial Fund or they can be mailed to AMSSM Foundation (with Anderson Memorial Fund in memo line), 4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 100, Leawood, KS 66211
Arrangements are pending.
