Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop, a renowned surgeon, educator, regenerative medicine pioneer, and new national medical director of QC Kinetix, remembers a defining moment of his career many years ago.
He received a phone call requesting the transfer of an 18-year-old man who was involved in a car accident. Three other people in the car, who were on their way to college, were killed in the crash. The young man was the only one to survive but was at risk of a lower leg amputation if Dr. Sheinkop had not been able to help.
“Initially, at the outside hospital, an amputation close to the hip had been recommended,” Dr. Sheinkop said. “The parents had known of me and requested a transfer to my care. At the time, limb salvage was in its infancy, and vascularized fibular bone graft for large segmental bone defects was experimental.”
Dr. Sheinkop was able to save the man’s leg without amputation. Today, that man is now about to retire after serving 35 years without any limitation as a Chicago fireman.
Sheinkop has numerous life-changing stories like this one from his remarkable 37-year career as an orthopedic surgeon, educator, and pioneer in regenerative medicine. He is a leader in treating patients with complex knee and hip disorders.
Now he is taking his decades of expertise and accomplishments to serve as the new national medical director at QC Kinetix. The company appointed him in February of 2024.
QC Kinetix utilizes regenerative medicine treatments to harness and engage the body’s natural ability to renew itself, providing improved function while avoiding surgery for musculoskeletal discomfort.
“Joining QC Kinetix is the continuation of a journey for me, a third career where retirement is not in my vocabulary,” Sheinkop stated. “I’m excited to contribute to a field that offers a needle instead of a knife, helping patients through skeletal and muscular regenerative medicine.”
Dr. Sheinkop is excited about what his experience can offer in this new role on the company’s leadership team, especially because he believes in the power of regenerative medicine to transform lives.
Dr. Sheinkop’s Career Path and Family Inspiration
Sheinkop was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to immigrant parents who fled discrimination and poverty in Eastern Europe between World War 1 and World War 2. He and his brother were first generation Americans. His parents played a major role in encouraging his decision to pursue a career in medicine.
“They saw higher education as the best means of assimilation and medicine as the pinnacle of achievement,” he said. “If my parents hadn’t set sail when they did, things might not have worked out so well.”
Dr. Sheinkop’s education and training is extensive and spans many years. He completed an undergraduate program at the University of Illinois, as well as medical training at Chicago Medical School and a residency at Northwestern University. He next completed fellowships in pediatric orthopedics and hand surgery
He also has a military background, having served in the United States Air Force. One year of active duty and seven years in the Reserves.
as a first lieutenant and captain in the Medical Corps. Because of this military role, he said the first day of his internship at the Chicago Cook County Hospital served as another defining moment that shaped his career.
“We were assembled and advised to seek a Vietnam-era deferment via The Berry Plan,” he explained, “which allowed physicians to postpone obligatory military service until they had finished medical school and residency training.”
Dr. Sheinkop believes there are many people who contributed to his success.
“Countless people from my high school, college, medical school, and residency played crucial roles in my development. While there are too many to name individually, each one has significantly influenced my growth and achievements,” he said, reflecting on the inspirations of his early life.
Dr. Sheinkop Brings Unparalleled Success To QC Kinetix
Dr. Sheinkop attributes his longevity and career success with a strong work ethic. He has worked in many different countries as a surgeon and visiting lecturer, delivering educational seminars across international boundaries in places like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Romania and Austria. His scholarly contributions include authoring over 70 works in various esteemed publications and peer-reviewed publications, cementing his reputation as a foremost authority in orthopedics and regenerative medicine.
Dr. Sheinkop says he’s had three diverse career experiences.
“First as a joint replacement surgeon serving as the head of one of the top five joint replacement programs in the country, and achieving that end by integrating patient care with clinical research and education,” he said.
“I retired as Professor Emeritus and began career number two in the emerging discipline of regenerative medicine. By introducing again the integration of patient care with clinical research, I was able to play a role in bringing Orthobiologics into the mainstream of skeletomuscular care. Now I am involved in career number three as medical director of QC Kinetix, where I hope to play a significant role in the evolution of an evidence-based initiative and thereby position QC as the leader in musculoskeletal non-surgical care.”
Dr. Sheinkop said these three careers and his ability to play a leadership role in each give him a great sense of pride. His goal in his new role at QC Kinetix is to incorporate physical therapy and weight loss into patients’ already existing treatment plans. QC Kinetix uses non-surgical, drug-free treatments to help the body heal and repair itself.
Personal Life
Dr. Sheinkop lives with his wife of 56 years in Chicago. The two have three adult children and seven grandchildren and enjoy the time they share as a family. They value their personal lives and work-life balance and find time for enjoyable activities to help manage stress.
“QC means Queen City. I am married to QW, Queen Wife, with whom I enjoy a balance of culture, including symphony and theater; regular recreational endeavors including fitness pursuits, cycling, gardening, skiing, and fly fishing,” he said. “Additionally, I minimize television and am an avid reader.”
Dr. Sheinkop and his wife also place heavy value on community service and support for several such activities on the national and international levels.
When asked about an entrepreneur or business leader who serves as an inspiration, Dr. Sheinkop was quick to name Robert Wislow.
“Robert Wislow is a tireless, extremely successful Chicago Real Estate Developer responsible for many of Chicago’s major public spaces and cultural treasures,” the doctor shared. “At the same time, he serves on many local and national boards while continuing to give back to our community, combining his development achievements with the public good.”
Dr. Sheinkop’s Advice to Younger Self
Looking back on his life and career, Dr. Sheinkop would not change much. His advice to his younger self is as simple as “Play it again, Sam; Do the same the second time around.”
He defines success as “personal satisfaction,” and personal and professional values as “an integration of integrity with achievement.”