Pirates make changes to medical staff, as AHN appoints 3 new doctors to provide team care

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making changes to their medical staff, as team physician Dr. Edward Snell is leaving after 22 years to become Allegheny Health Network’s sports performance medical director.

Under the guidance of Pirates medical director Dr. Patrick DeMeo, a newly appointed three-man team of AHN doctors will partner to provide the team’s medical care:

• Dr. Todd Franco, who spent 14 years as a team physician, was named director of physiatry. A board-certified sports medicine specialist and physiatrist with the AHN department of orthopedic surgery division of sports medicine, Dr. Franco will oversee care of players, coaches and staff members.

• Dr. Darren A. Frank, an assistant team physician for 10 years, was named director of orthopaedics. Dr. Frank has served as associate director of AHN’s division of sports medicine since 2012.

• Dr. Ravi Ved, AHN’s associate program director of primary sports medicine fellowships, was named director of internal medicine. Dr. Ved has worked with USA Rugby, USA Ultimate and the USOC.

“First and foremost, on behalf of the Pirates organization and the countless number of players and personnel whom he has cared for over the past two decades, I want to thank Dr. Snell for his dedication and service to the organization. We wish all the best to him in his new role within AHN,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement.

“We are excited for the strong expanded medical team that Dr. DeMeo has assembled and that Dr. Franco will lead. It is reassuring for the organization and our players that we have such an amazing network of medical professionals at AHN to lean on for all of the team’s medical needs.”

This marks the 24th year of the partnership between the Pirates and the physicians of AHN’s Orthopaedic Institute. AHN’s role as the team’s official medical provider runs through 2025.

The AHN team will partner with the Pirates internal medical staff, which continues to be led by director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, director of sports performance A.J. Patrick, head athletic trainer Rafael Freitas, assistant athletic trainer Tony Leo and physical therapist Seth Steinhauer.