Dr. Darcy Lei is a dedicated physician specializing in musculoskeletal Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, and non-operative Orthopedic care, with a particular focus on Dance and Performing Arts Medicine. A former pre-professional ballerina, Dr. Lei understands firsthand the challenges faced by performers and athletes. Motivated by her own experiences with injuries and the difficulty of finding specialized care, she pursued a career in medicine to provide the expert care she wished she had as a young dancer.
Dr. Lei is one of the few physicians in the Midwest specializing in the care of dancers and other performing artists. She is an active member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), where she has presented her work on the care of dancers at numerous international conferences. She completed the PAMA Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine Certificate Course in 2020 and received teacher certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in 2021. Dr. Lei also serves as the Performing Arts Chair for The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation.
Working within the departments of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) and Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Lei provides specialized care for adolescent through older adult patients. Her primary interest lies in dance and performing arts medicine, addressing the unique needs of athletes such as dancers, musicians, actors, vocalists, figure skaters, gymnasts, cheerleaders, and acrobatic/circus performers. She collaborates closely with her colleagues in PM&R and Orthopedics, who often refer patients to her for continued care.
Dr. Lei believes in the philosophy that "movement is medicine." She is passionate about finding creative ways to keep her patients as active as possible, even during recovery periods. She provides comprehensive care that considers not only the injury but also its impact on her patients' daily lives and beloved activities. Dr. Lei is committed to minimizing the injury's impact, enabling her patients to continue doing what they love.
In addition to her professional work, Dr. Lei enjoys attending dance and musical theater performances, often providing physician coverage for these events. She loves to travel, explore local restaurants, and spend quality time with her husband, family, friends, and dog. Dr. Lei is dedicated to advancing the field of performing arts medicine and believes that science and research are essential to expanding our understanding and making the previously impossible possible.
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