Dr. Rob Heidt, Jr. had the opportunity to learn about medicine at an early age. At 15, he volunteered in a hospital and by 16, he was an orderly, getting hands on experience. Of course, it didn't hurt that his father, Dr. Heidt Sr., was in charge of the Emergency Department at Christ Hospital at the time.

Since then, Dr. Heidt Jr. has made his own mark in the world of orthopaedics. He has been president of the NFL Physicians' Society and Chief of Staff at The Christ Hospital. He's also the Cincinnati Bengals' physician, always traveling with the team and providing care on and off the field.

"Like most people in this area, I'm a Bengals' fan, so I enjoy my work with the team," said Dr. Heidt, who has held the position for the past 13 years. "While I've come to know many of the players, Anthony Munoz really stands out. I have great respect for him."

An athlete himself, Dr. Heidt is a past member of the U.S. Swimming Team and the U.S. Olympic Sports Physician Society. Dr. Heidt, who serves on the Executive Committee for The Christ Hospital, also directs a fellowship program there, training two orthopaedic fellows every year.

"I guess being a leader falls in our family lines," said the younger surgeon, who is married to Julia Scripps Heidt and has three sons; Chip, Austin and Nathan.

In addition to the Mt. Auburn practice, Dr. Heidt sees patients in the Anderson and Blue Ash offices. "Staying on the leading edge of treatment options, helps all my patients, not just athletes," said Dr. Heidt. "Whether they're 10 or 90, the important thing is for them to get better."

Certifications

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American College of Surgeons