From the suburbs of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to the slopes of Norway, Dr. Greg Lichtman’s path into elite sports medicine has been shaped by early inspiration, discipline and a lifelong love of athletics. That journey recently brought him to one of skiing’s biggest stages as a physician for the U.S. World Cup ski team.
Sports played a central role in Lichtman’s childhood. Growing up outside Philadelphia, he participated in nearly every sport he could, including skiing. But the person who influenced him most was not a coach. It was his father, a primary care physician.
Watching his father care for patients left a lasting impression and sparked an early appreciation for medicine as both a science and a service.
Dr. Greg Lichtman and his dad share a moment in the office.
That interest took on new clarity when Lichtman was 11. After a minor knee injury while skiing, he visited an orthopedic sports medicine specialist. The experience was transformative.
“I just remember being fascinated that his job was to take care of an athlete,” Lichtman said. “At 11 years old, I was already saying, ‘This is who I want to be.’”
By high school, that goal shaped his mindset. He balanced academics with athletics, particularly soccer, while developing the discipline required for a career in medicine.
“I realized it was time to put my nose down and get to work,” he said.
A pivotal moment came during a research year in Vail, Colorado, at the Steadman Clinic. There, Lichtman worked alongside world-class surgeons treating elite athletes, including members of the U.S. ski team.
“That year really set a lot of things in motion for me,” he said. “I was working with some of the best sports medicine surgeons in the world and realized I wanted to do this at a very high level and take care of skiers.”
After completing medical school, residency and fellowship, nearly a decade of training, Lichtman took the next step. In 2019, he joined U.S. Ski & Snowboard as a pool physician, providing care across multiple disciplines with a focus on alpine skiing.
That role recently took him to Norway for the World Cup finals, one of the sport’s premier annual events.
“The World Cup is where they live and compete year in and year out,” he explained. “The finals are essentially like a championship at the end of the season.”
Working behind the scenes, Lichtman supported athletes under intense physical and mental demands. Among the highlights was a strong finish by Breezy Johnson, who placed second in downhill at the finals and finished third overall for the season.
For Lichtman, playing a role in moments like that is deeply meaningful.
“Being part of the organization is tremendously inspiring,” he said. “Even playing a small role brings a lot of satisfaction. It gives me a lot of pride to represent the U.S.”
Closer to home, Lichtman practices in Auburn, California, where he joined Sutter Health in 2018. The move from the East Coast was intentional.
“It was really about the proximity to the mountains, personally and professionally,” he said. “I wanted skiing to be a big part of my life and my work.”
In Auburn, he treats a wide range of patients, from elite athletes to weekend warriors, caring for injuries such as ACL tears, shoulder dislocations and other orthopedic conditions.
“It’s an incredibly active community,” he said. “It’s really rewarding to help people get back to what they love.”
Despite the milestones, Lichtman remains grounded in gratitude. During his drive home, he often reflects on the journey that led him here.
“I actually practice gratitude every day,” he said. “I get chills sometimes thinking about that goal I had when I was younger and where I am now.”
That perspective guides every patient interaction.
“I feel like it’s a privilege to take care of somebody else and help them through a challenging problem,” he said.
“I feel lucky every day,” Lichtman added. “It’s a privilege to do this work.”
For Lichtman, the journey continues, defined by purpose, passion and the opportunity to make a difference.
