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Stephen Despins, DO, FAAPMR, CAQSM

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Dr. Stephen Despins was born and raised in Herndon, Virginia. He is a proud alum of the University of Notre Dame, having completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology there. He then obtained his degree in Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University as a member of the inaugural medical school class. Throughout his medical studies, Dr. Despins developed an interest in neurology and musculoskeletal medicine which subsequently drove him to apply for a medical residency specializing in Physiatry. He completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at CWRU/MetroHealth in Cleveland, Ohio where he worked side-by-side with the rest of the rehabilitation team to help get their patients to recover their functional well-being and return to a healthy and functional life. Upon completion in 2021, he specialized further completing a Sports Medicine fellowship at Virginia Tech. Dr. Despins enjoys a wide variety of hobbies including: running, competing in triathlons, playing broomball, playing frisbee golf, playing board games and videogames, watching movies, and cheering on his Fighting Irish on football weekends.

Board
Certifications

Education

Fellowship

HCA Healthcare LewisGale Hospital Montgomery/VCOM- VA

  • Primary Care Sports Medicine
Internship

The MetroHealth System

  • Internal Medicine
Residency

The MetroHealth System

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Medical School

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)

  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School

University of Notre Dame

  • Psychology

Additional Information

Academic Appointment
  • Institution: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM)
    • Position: Assistant Professor of OMM & OPP
    • Years: 2022-present
  • Institution: VCOM-VA
    • Position: Clinical Faculty Member
    • Years: 2021-2022
Professional Interests
  • IRONMAN
  • Triathlon competitions
  • Half-marathon competitions
  • Broomball competitions
  • Frisbee Golf
  • Board games
  • Video games
  • Movies
Professional Associations
  • 2018-Present: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R)
  • 2021-Present: American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM)
  • 2021-Present: Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (VOMA)
  • 2022-Present: Lynchburg Academy of Medicine (LAM)
Publications
  • Despins, S. Brodsky, B. Daffron, G. Rogers, M. Jones, M. Griesemer, B. Silva, M. (April 2022). The Rapid Evaluation and Treatment of Wrist Pain in a Division I College Football Athlete
  • Despins, S. Beran, A. Rogers, M. Griesemer, B. Black A. (February, 2022). Football and Flying Do Not Always Go Well Together
  • Despins, S. & Wilson, R. (February, 2021). Prescribing Patterns of SSRIs in High-Risk Stroke Patients in Acute Rehabilitation
  • Kim, C., Despins, S. & Wissner, R. (March, 2020). Peripheral nerve stimulation for axial chronic low back pain in failed back syndrome
  • Kim, Chong H., Brown, J., Despins, S., & Suric, V. (January, 2020). Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Treatment of Post Herpetic Neuralgia
  • Scobercea I, Feyissa K, Despins SJ (August 14, 2025) An Extradural Cervical Mass Mimicking Myofascial Neck Pain in an Elderly Female: A Case Report. Cureus 17(8): e90068. Doi:10.7759/cureus.90068
  • Melin DA, Rich ED, Despins SJ. Challenges of Treating a C2 Odontoid Fracture in an Elderly Patient With Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report. Cureus. 2024 Dec 6;16(12):e75242. doi: 10.7759/cureus.75242. PMID: 39764346; PMCID: PMC11700725.
  • April 2025 - Huber, C. Melin, D. Despins, S. Exercise as Adjunctive Treatment for Wound Healing: Evidence, Gaps, and Future Directions; A Literature Review.
    Poster presented at: AOCPMR Mid-Year Meeting, Seattle, WA
  • April 2025 - Scobercea, I. Feyissa, K. Despins, S. Management of a Cervical Extradural Space Occupying Mass in an Elderly Female
    Poster presented at: AOCPMR Mid-Year Meeting, Seattle, WA
  • February 2025 - Jeifa, G. DiPetto, J. Despins, S. Case Report of a Female Collegiate Athlete Using PRP for Tibia Fracture
    Poster presented at: Physiatry ’25 - AAP, Phoenix, AZ
  • November 2024 - Melin, D. Rich, E. Despins, S. What a Pain in the Neck! The Challenges of Treating a C2 Fracture in an Elderly Patient with Multiple Comorbidities
    Poster presented at: 2024 AAPM&R Annual Assembly, San Diego, CA

Practice Location

Address

2321 Wards Road
Lynchburg, Va. 24502

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All Providers: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

All Providers: Sports Medicine