Vincent H. Key, MD

Professional Background

Vincent H. Key, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. He joined the department in 2003 after working in private practice in Independence, MO.
Dr. Key received his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University where he was a track and field athlete (long and triple jump). He completed his MD from the University of Oklahoma, Orthopaedic Residency at Martin Luther King/Charles Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, California and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Wellington Orthopaedics at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Key’s primary clinical focus in sports medicine is Knee, Shoulder and Elbow reconstruction. Knee reconstruction encompasses from the routine (knee arthroscopy) to the complex (multi-ligament reconstruction – ACL/PCL/PLC and cartilage restoration procedures). He also performs many total knee arthroplasties, shoulder procedures including rotator cuff and labral repairs and complex shoulder reconstructions. His clinical focus also includes elbow procedures with UCL reconstructions along with UCL repair and bridge as well as elbow arthroscopy.

His research interests include Vitamin D and it’s effects on the over-head athlete, biocomposite plugs using nanotechnology for isolated articular cartilage defects and new techniques to reconstruct UCL tears.

Dr. Key has been the Head Team Physician and Medical Director for the Kansas City Royals (MLB) for 10 seasons. During those 10 years, the Royals were in the World Series (2014, 2015) with a World Championship in 2015. He also has served on the Medical Advisory Committee for Major League Baseball as well as a regional consultant for all 30 MLB teams.

Dr. Key is an Associate Team Physician for USA Track and Field and has taken USA Track and Field teams to Costa Rica and Mexico. He has been involved with the Big 12 Basketball Tournament for over 10 years as the Orthopaedic Advisor and Director. Dr. Key has been the Head Team Physician for both Kansas City Arena Football Teams (KC Brigade and KC Command). He helps to take care of multiple area colleges and high school teams. Dr. Key is also the Medical Director for the Missouri Valley Region of USA Track and Field.

Academically, he has served as a mentor for the ORR Society, Kaw Valley Medical Society, J Robert Gladden Society and the University of Kansas Health System Minority Summer Medical Program. Before medical school, he did Parkinson’s research at Emory University (deep brain stimulation and recording). Dr. Key works with the Engineering Department at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, sitting for PhD. Defenses and Dissertations. He has put on many Sports Medicine Symposiums for the healthcare community while at KU.

• MD, MD, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
• Internship, Transitional program , University of Oklahoma College of Medicine , Oklahoma City , OK
• Residency, Orthopedic Surgery , Martin Luther King/Charles Drew Medical Center
• Clinical Fellowship, Sports Medicine Fellowship , Wellington Orthopaedics/Sports Medicine Center/University of Cincinnati Sports Medicine

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery , ABOS
• Licensure , STATE OF ARIZONA
• Licensure , STATE OF MISSOURI
• Subspeciality- Orthopaedic/Sports Medicine , ABOS

• USA Track and Field- Jr Olympics , Director, 2017 - Present
• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine , Member, 2012 - Present
• Kansas City Royals , Medical Director/Head team physician , 2011 - Present
• Major League Baseball Team Physician Association , Member, 2011 - Present
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons , Member, 2005 - Present
• Kansas City Orthopaedic Society , Member, 2003 - Present

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