Trusted by Butler University Athletics

Butler University is a private, nationally ranked university located in Indianapolis.  Butler has 20 intercollegiate teams that, over the last decade, have captured nearly 30 championships in four different leagues. All but one of Butler’s teams currently competes in the Big East Conference (football plays in the Pioneer League).

We like to think that Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics has played a small role in the school’s athletic success by keeping its athletes playing at the top of their game. Since 1983, our team has provided orthopedic consultation, sports medicine specialists and athletic trainers from Franciscan Health Indianapolis.

Michael Bender, MD works side-by-side with Philip A. Blaney, MD, MBA, MS, medical director of Franciscan Physician Network Sports Medicine Specialists and Butler's head team physician to provide sports medicine and primary care services to more than 600 student-athletes. “With the addition of Franciscan Health and Forté’s talented and dedicated physicians and staff, our student-athletes will receive high-level, comprehensive medical care,” said Butler University Vice President and Director of Athletics, Barry Collier.

Dr. Bender is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow disorders, with prior experience taking care of athletes as a team physician at Park Tudor and Indiana State University. Dr. Bender is a member of the prestigious American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES) society. He performs all forms of minimally invasive and open shoulder and elbow procedures for patients of all ages at our Carmel Forté location.