Trusted to get athletes back to health, Dr. Jeff Mulholland to join Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 10, 2023 | 11:01 AM

He has received the highest of praise and is considered one of the best in his profession.

For almost three decades, Dr. Jeff Mulholland has provided a level of medical coverage for the Quaker Valley athletic program that rivals both collegiate and professional teams.

He is regarded as one of the most sought-out sports medicine orthopedic physicians in western Pennsylvania.

Mulholland will be inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame on the weekend of Oct. 13-14. The 2023 class will be recognized Oct. 13 at the Quakers’ home football game against West Mifflin.

“This induction is clearly a highlight of my life here in Sewickley,” Mulholland said. “When coach (Mike) Mastroianni called me with the news, I was surprised and honored to be selected.

“I’ve spent many years working with the coaches, trainers and athletes and their families at Quaker Valley, and am humbled to be considered for this recognition.”

Derek Clark, who is director of athletic performance at QV, has worked directly with Mulholland over the years managing student-athletes’ needs in his role as athletic trainer.

Clark has served in this capacity since 2009. This summer, he and Rob Johnson added the position of assistant athletic director to their duties at the high school.

“Dr. Mulholland is an invaluable member of the Quaker Valley sports medicine team,” Clark said. “I have worked with Dr. Mulholland since my first day at QV. His knowledge and experience in the world of sports medicine provide the student-athletes with a level of care that is in line with what collegiate and professional athletes receive.

“Outside of his knowledge and medical expertise, Dr. Mulholland’s ability to relate to what an injured athlete is going through is crucial. Being a former athlete who has suffered injuries, Dr. Mulholland knows the mental side of dealing with and recovering from injuries, not just the physical side. He knows how to educate and counsel both the athlete and parents about the injury and return-to-play process.”

Mulholland and his staff at Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates are in integral part of the annual success of QV athletics, as the athletes and teams have benefited greatly from his passion and medical proficiency.

“Maybe his most important ability is availability,” Clark said. “When an athlete suffers an injury, the return-to-play timeframe cannot be established until an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can be made. Dr. Mulholland not only sees the Quaker Valley athletes in a timely manner, it is often within hours of when the injury occurs.

“He makes himself available to me as QV’s athlete trainer by phone or text 365 days a year, ensuring that any question I have or any athlete who needs to be seen is taken care of quickly. For me personally, Dr. Mulholland is not just a great friend, he has been one of the most important mentors in my career.”

A banquet will be held in honor of the HOF inductees at 11 a.m. Oct. 14, at Edgeworth Club. For ticket information, email Christina Johns at johnsc@qvsd.org.

Mulholland, who is in his late 50’s, has been the orthopedic team physician and part of QV athletics for almost three decades.

“I fondly remember 1996 when my engagement with QV began,” he said. “I was working alongside some of the greats, soccer and football coaches (Gene) Klein and (Tom) Liberty, and accompanying my colleague Dr. Jim Pitcavage on the sidelines at football games. I have been privileged to know so many families in the QV sports community and have appreciated their warmth and readiness to do what they can to support their athlete.

“Of course, the other great highlight for the coaching and medical staffs, as well as the football team and coach Jerry Veshio, was the incredible run to the state finals (in 2017), culminating in their win in a classic snow-covered Hershey Stadium. That year was remarkably injury-free and was a season for the ages with a bunch of great young athletes, as coach Veshio has written in his book, ‘Moving Forward’.”

Mulholland has a professional and approachable personality which he utilizes uniquely in his position at QV.

“I believe his personality makes it easy for him to develop the high level of trust and respect that he has in the community,” Clark said. “He takes his time with the athletes and parents to ensure all their questions are answered, and that everyone has a clear understanding of the injury and what needs to be done to get the athlete back to play as quickly but, more importantly, as safely as possible.

“The year-to-year success of the Quaker Valley High School athletic teams is the result of the efforts of a lot of people who are seen on the fields, courts, mats, pools and sidelines, but also from a number of people behind the scenes. Dr. Mulholland may not be seen at every QV sporting event, but you can be certain that multiple student-athletes are back in the game after (suffering) an injury due to the tireless efforts of Dr. Mulholland and his amazing staff.”

Jeff Mulholland grew up in Baltimore and attended Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where he was part of state championship teams in soccer and lacrosse.

“As an athlete and sports enthusiast since the age of 12, I always played and had a great interest in sports,” Mulholland said. “So, my pursuit of orthopedics and sports medicine was a natural pathway for me. When I incurred my own sports injury playing soccer in Baltimore, Dr. Chic Silberstein, the team doctor for the Baltimore Orioles at the time, became a mentor to me and encouraged me to pursue my dream of treating top athletes of future generations.”

Mulholland spent the next eight years at the University of Virginia completing his undergraduate and medical degrees. He continued training as an orthopedics resident at Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond and spent his final year of training in Los Angeles at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic.

At Virginia and was chosen to join the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha.

Following a fellowship that saw him work with the Lakers, Kings, Dodgers, Galaxy and Mighty Ducks, along with the USC Trojans at the collegiate level, Mulholland joined GPOA in 1996.

That’s when his lasting relationship with the Quakers began.

“Sports medicine is a job I love because I’m helping people every day think about how they can perform at the highest level or function well enough to live comfortably,” Mulholland said. “I appreciate that science is changing rapidly and enjoy discovering the techniques and strategies that will support our athletes. I consider myself fortunate to live in the Sewickley community where I have the ability to routinely stop by the training room or practice fields and courts.

“However, physicians and patients must also rely on their trainers and physical therapists to support their diagnosis and recovery. We are incredibly fortunate to have QV athletic trainer Derek Clark coordinate and deliver state-of-the-art preventive care as well and treatment to our athletes, often enlisting the help of Greater Pittsburgh physical therapists Mike Fronczek and Tom McConnell.”

Mulholland currently provides care and consultation for several high school and college athletic programs. He served as the team doctor for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds from their start in 1999 through 2005.

He is married to Dr. Shannon McQuone Mulholland, a 1984 Quaker Valley graduate and longtime head of Sewickley Academy Middle School. She has moved on from that position and has been exploring new career opportunities.

The Mulhollands reside in Edgeworth and have three sons all in their mid- to late-20s: Jake, Thomas and Ben.

Jake works for Deloitte in Washington D.C., Thomas lives in Pittsburgh and is employed by for Pacaso, a real estate company based in California, and Ben works for the consulting firm BRG in Washington D.C. Ben also is a former lacrosse captain at Washington and Lee.

“I spend free time with my sons and good friends, golfing, fishing and staying physically active,” Mulholland said. “After an ACL tear some years ago, I’ve had to hang up my lacrosse helmet for good.”

Tags: Quaker Valley