Thom Mayer, MD, is a prominent figure in the fields of emergency medicine and sports medicine. He has built a distinguished career focused on athlete health, safety, and emergency response, making significant contributions to both clinical practice and medical education.
Dr. Mayer has served as a medical director for various professional sports teams and events, including the NFL, where he has played a crucial role in developing and implementing protocols for player safety and injury management. His expertise has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of concussion management and emergency care in sports. He has worked closely with athletes, coaches, and medical teams to ensure that best practices are followed, enhancing the overall safety of participants in high-risk sports.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Mayer is an educator and has authored numerous articles and publications on topics related to emergency medicine and sports health. His commitment to improving medical practices in athletics has led him to engage in training programs for emergency responders and medical personnel, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle medical emergencies in sports settings.
Dr. Mayer’s influence extends beyond the field; he is also involved in advocacy for better medical standards and policies in sports organizations. His work emphasizes the importance of athlete welfare and the need for comprehensive medical oversight in sporting events.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mayer has been recognized as a national leader in patient safety, emergency department management, and healthcare leadership. His contributions during national crises have been particularly notable. For example, he played a significant role in organizing emergency response teams during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
He is a prolific speaker and author, having written or contributed to more than 100 publications, including textbooks on emergency medicine, leadership, and patient safety. His thought leadership in healthcare has made him a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from medical leadership to operational excellence in emergency services.
In addition to his work with the NFLPA and BestPractices, Dr. Mayer holds academic appointments, lectures at various institutions, and has earned numerous awards for his service and contributions to healthcare.
Sample Presentation Topics
Content customized based on event and organization.
- Leadership is Worthless…But Leading is Priceless: Leading in Times of Crisis
- Battling Burnout and Restoring Resiliency
- Hardwiring Flow: Stop Doing Stupid Stuff-Start Doing Smart Stuff
- Making Failure Your Fuel
- Sucking Up is Worthless…But Sucking Down is Priceless: Lessons from a Life Leading in Crisis
- Creating Culture: It’s Not the Words on the Walls…It’s the Happenings in the Halls
- What 20 Years Experience from the NFL Has to Do with Leading on Every Play
- Additional talks and customized content are available as well.





