Physicians Making an Impact: Meet Dr. John Presvelos

When a player hits the ice hard during a crucial playoff game, all eyes turn to one person: the medical lead behind the bench.

As Head Team Physician for TMU’s Men’s Hockey Team, Dr. John Presvelos has seen it all — fractured bones, torn ligaments and concussions sustained in the heat of competition.

“You’re making decisions in real time,” said Dr. Presvelos. “There’s no pause button. You assess, stabilize and support — all while keeping the athlete’s safety and future in mind.”

So what’s his prescription for the heartbreak felt by millions of Toronto Blue Jays fans after the team’s devastating Game 7 World Series loss?

“Sometimes the best treatment is time — and maybe a walk outside,” Dr. Presvelos joked. “Win or lose, sport is about belonging. The Jays brought the entire country together and that shared journey is something to celebrate.”

Teamwork, empathy and expertise are his new MVPs as Program Director of TMU’s Family Medicine Enhanced Skills (FM-ES): Sport and Exercise Medicine Program, which trains residents to manage acute and chronic conditions through a comprehensive, community-oriented lens.

The program emphasizes not only technical skill but also cultural competency, mentorship and compassion — preparing physicians to work with patients from all backgrounds and ability levels.

A passion for movement and meaning

For Dr. Presvelos, medicine has always been about helping people get back to what they love. His journey began at York University, where a double major in biology and psychology deepened his fascination with both the body and mind. The turning point came during his father’s battle with cancer — a personal experience that solidified his calling to care for others.

After earning his medical degree from Queen’s University, Dr. Presvelos completed his Family Medicine residency at the University of Toronto (Sunnybrook), followed by a Fellowship in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Today, his practice blends clinical work and high-performance care: serving varsity teams across TMU, the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Tech University, and national sporting events including U Sports hockey and soccer championships.

"I consider working with high-level athletes across various sports, but especially the varsity student athletes an absolute privilege," Dr. Presvelos said. "These are some of the brightest and most motivated young adults I’ve had the pleasure to meet. They give 100 per cent to their sport while juggling the demands of academic programs and often part-time jobs as well. It is a privilege to play a small part in their journey and help them in any capacity that I can."

Building something new at TMU

When Dr. Presvelos heard about TMU’s new School of Medicine, he saw an opportunity to help shape the next generation of sports medicine leaders.

“I was so excited for the opportunity to build something from the ground up,” he said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to design a program that reflects both academic excellence and community connection.”

The Family Medicine Enhanced Skills (FM-ES): Sport and Exercise Medicine Program helps residents discover diverse career paths, from academic research to elite-sport coverage, while grounding their practice in humility and patient-centred care. Being a part of the larger TMU team, residents have the opportunity to provide on-ice and on-field care in multiple venues spanning multiple sports.

“To be a great sports physician, communication is key,” Dr. Presvelos said. “Sometimes saying, ‘I don’t know yet, but we will figure it out,’ is the most honest and mature answer. It’s all about being transparent about the diagnosis, treatment, timelines and uncertainty.”

As the first cohort of residents are now stepping into the fast-paced world of sport and exercise medicine, Dr. Presvelos is ready to guide them — from the clinic to the sidelines — where split-second decisions and lifelong lessons often collide.