Joel Brenner, MD
Phone: (757) 668-7850
Specialty:
Associated With:
Education
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Buffalo
Residency: Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine
Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine
Certification
American Board of Pediatrics
Adolescent Medicine
Sports Medicine
Personal Statement
The chance to help CHKD develop a sports medicine and an adolescent medicine program was a great way to give back to the community and hospital that gave me so much during my pediatric training.
Bio
Dr. Brenner is the medical director of CHKD's sports medicine program and the director of CHKD's sports concussion, dance medicine and running programs. He recently developed a mind and body wellness coaching program at CHKD that incorporates techniques used to improve physical and mental health. He is currently a professor of pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). Dr. Brenner attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo and completed his pediatric residency training at EVMS. He completed fellowships in sports medicine and adolescent medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also received a master of public health at the University of Texas.
Dr. Brenner is the team physician for Governor’s School for the Arts and local high schools. He has also served as the team physician at Norfolk State University, Todd Rosenlieb Dance and Virginia Ballet Theatre. He is the medical director for the athletic training programs in Chesapeake middle and high schools, and Virginia Beach middle and high schools. Dr. Brenner lectures locally, nationally and internationally on topics including concussions and over-training in young athletes and sports specialization.
Dr. Brenner has testified before the state and federal legislature to assist with laws protecting student-athletes with concussions. He also was an invited participant for the Healthy Kids & Safe Sports Concussion Summit at the White House, hosted by President Obama.
Dr. Brenner is a member of the Virginia High School League Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and the past chairperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness.
Additional Information
Research Areas
- Sports specialization
- Overuse and over-scheduling in youth sports
- Concussions in youth sports
- Sports medicine education in pediatric residents
Clinical Interests
Honors & Awards
- Virginia Business Magazine "Top Doc" 2024, 2025
- Virginia Living Top Doctor 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
- Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc" 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- 2012 Presidential Service Award, Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association
- 2011 Hampton Roads Top Doctors 2011, Sports Medicine
- 2007 Finalist, CHKD Faculty Teaching Award
Community Involvement
- Dance company physician for Todd Rosenlieb Dance
- Dance company physician for Virginia Ballet Theatre
- Dance company physician for Governor's School for the Arts dance department
- School physician for Governor's School for the Arts
- Team physician, Kempsville High School
- Team physician, Norfolk State University
- Medical director, CHKD RunWalk for the Kids
Publications
Dr. Brenner's published research can be viewed at PubMed
Podcasts
Pediatric Sports Medicine Podcast - The AAP Clinical Report on Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, and Burnout
Youth sports can have many benefits. However, many young athletes play multiple games in a day, on multiple teams, year-round, and often with added independent skill and/or endurance training. How much is too much? Dr. Joel Brenner shares why young athletes should be making time for rest and recovery to avoid burnout. Listen in here.
On Track Podcast - Current State of Youth Sports
Dr. Joel Brenner is a leading expert on youth sports including everything from overuse inquires, over training, lack of sleep, athlete burnout and the "professionalization" of youth sports. Listen in to hear his thoughts on the current state of youth sports in this On Track podcast on Spotify. Listen in here.
Podcast: Current State of Youth Sports
Dr. Joel Brenner is a leading expert on youth sports including everything from overuse inquires, over training, lack of sleep, athlete burnout and the "professionalization" of youth sports. Listen in to hear his thoughts on the current state of youth sports in this On Track podcast on Spotify.
Refer to Sports Medicine