Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop, a distinguished surgeon, educator, and trailblazer in regenerative medicine, now serving as the national medical director at QC Kinetix, reflects on a turning point in his career many years ago.
He received an urgent call about an 18-year-old man who had been in a severe car accident. Tragically, the crash claimed the lives of the three other passengers, all of whom were en route to college. The young man, the sole survivor, faced the grim prospect of a lower leg amputation if Dr. Sheinkop couldn’t intervene.
“Initially, at the outside hospital, an amputation close to the hip had been recommended,” Dr. Sheinkop said. “The parents had known of me and requested a transfer to my care. At the time, limb salvage was in its infancy, and vascularized fibular bone graft for large segmental bone defects was experimental.”
Dr. Sheinkop successfully preserved the man’s leg, avoiding amputation. Today, that individual is on the brink of retirement after 35 years of service as a firefighter in Chicago, with no limitations.
Throughout his distinguished 37-year career as an orthopedic surgeon, educator, and regenerative medicine innovator, Sheinkop has amassed many transformative success stories. He is renowned for his expertise in managing intricate knee and hip disorders.
Now, Dr. Sheinkop is bringing his extensive knowledge and achievements to QC Kinetix as their new national medical director, a role he assumed in February 2024.
QC Kinetix employs regenerative medicine techniques to tap into the body’s inherent capacity for self-renewal, enhancing function and alleviating musculoskeletal pain without the need for surgery.
“Joining QC Kinetix is the continuation of a journey for me, a third career where retirement is not in my vocabulary,” Sheinkop stated. “I’m excited to contribute to a field that offers a needle instead of a knife, helping patients through skeletal and muscular regenerative medicine.”
Dr. Sheinkop looks forward to applying his extensive experience in this new leadership role, driven by his belief in the transformative potential of regenerative medicine to improve lives.
Dr. Sheinkop’s Professional Journey and Family Motivation
Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop grew up in Chicago, Illinois, as the child of immigrants who escaped the struggles and prejudice of Eastern Europe during the interwar period. As a first-generation American alongside his brother, he was deeply motivated by his parents’ support and guidance. Their encouragement was instrumental in steering him towards a career in medicine.
“They saw higher education as the best means of assimilation and medicine as the pinnacle of achievement,” he said. “If my parents hadn’t set sail when they did, things might not have worked out so well.”
Dr. Sheinkop’s educational and professional background is both extensive and multifaceted. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, then pursued medical training at Chicago Medical School, and finished with a residency at Northwestern University. His expertise was further honed through fellowships in pediatric orthopedics and hand surgery.
In addition to his medical career, Dr. Sheinkop has a distinguished military service record. He served one year of active duty and seven years in the Reserves with the United States Air Force as a first lieutenant and captain in the Medical Corps. He considers his first day of internship at Chicago Cook County Hospital a pivotal experience that significantly influenced his career trajectory.
“We were assembled and advised to seek a Vietnam-era deferment via The Berry Plan,” he explained, “which allowed physicians to postpone obligatory military service until they had finished medical school and residency training.”
Dr. Sheinkop feels that his success is the result of the many individuals who have played a significant role in his journey.
“Countless people from my high school, college, medical school, and residency played crucial roles in my development. While there are too many to name individually, each one has significantly influenced my growth and achievements,” he said, reflecting on the influences from his early years.
Dr. Sheinkop Brings a Legacy of Outstanding Achievements to QC Kinetix
Dr. Sheinkop credits his enduring career success to his unwavering work ethic. His extensive experience spans numerous countries where he has served as a surgeon and visiting lecturer, presenting educational seminars in locations such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Romania, and Austria. His academic achievements include authoring more than 70 articles in prestigious journals and peer-reviewed publications, establishing him as a leading authority in orthopedics and regenerative medicine.
Dr. Sheinkop describes his career as encompassing three distinct phases.
“First as a joint replacement surgeon serving as the head of one of the top five joint replacement programs in the country, and achieving that end by integrating patient care with clinical research and education,” he noted.
“I retired as Professor Emeritus and began career number two in the emerging discipline of regenerative medicine. By introducing again the integration of patient care with clinical research, I was able to play a role in bringing Orthobiologics into the mainstream of skeletomuscular care. Now I am involved in career number three as medical director of QC Kinetix, where I hope to play a significant role in the evolution of an evidence-based initiative and thereby position QC as the leader in musculoskeletal non-surgical care.”
Dr. Sheinkop takes great pride in his leadership roles across these three distinct careers. In his new position at QC Kinetix, he aims to integrate physical therapy and weight loss strategies into existing treatment plans, utilizing the company’s non-surgical, drug-free methods to enhance the body’s natural healing and repair processes.
Personal Life
Dr. Sheinkop resides in Chicago with his wife of 56 years. Together, they have three grown children and seven grandchildren, cherishing their family time and the balance between personal and professional life. They prioritize activities that promote relaxation and manage stress.
“QC means Queen City. I am married to QW, Queen Wife, with whom I enjoy a balance of culture, including symphony and theater; regular recreational endeavors including fitness pursuits, cycling, gardening, skiing, and fly fishing,” he said. “Additionally, I minimize television and am an avid reader.”
Dr. Sheinkop and his wife are deeply committed to community service, actively supporting various initiatives both nationally and internationally.
When it comes to entrepreneurial inspiration, Dr. Sheinkop cites Robert Wislow as a key figure.
“Robert Wislow is a tireless, extremely successful Chicago Real Estate Developer responsible for many of Chicago’s major public spaces and cultural treasures,” the doctor shared. “At the same time, he serves on many local and national boards while continuing to give back to our community, combining his development achievements with the public good.”
Dr. Sheinkop’s Advice to His Younger Self
Reflecting on his life and career, Dr. Sheinkop feels there isn’t much he would alter. His advice to his younger self is straightforward: “Play it again, Sam; Do the same the second time around.”
He views success as “personal satisfaction,” and personal and professional values as “an integration of integrity with achievement.”