The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has announced the appointment of Dr Andy Baldwin as its first Medical Director.
Dr Baldwin, a seasoned family medicine physician and long-standing triathlete, is described by PTO’s Chief Events Officer, Patrick Byerly, as “a perfect fit” for the role.
Dr Baldwin offers extensive experience from his medical career in the US Navy, where he trained as a physician and served at the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, DC. In this role, he acted as a spokesman and advocate for Navy Medicine and assisted the US Surgeon General with the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future program.
Dr Baldwin also advocated for the Let’s Move Campaign, led by former First Lady Michelle Obama. As an accomplished triathlete, Dr Baldwin has been selected five times for the All-Navy triathlon squad and has qualified and competed in the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona five times.
“The care of our athletes is paramount,” said PTO Chief Events Officer Patrick Byerly. “We are thrilled that Andy has decided to join us.
“His international health experience and deep knowledge of triathlon make him an ideal fit. He brings considerable dynamism and expertise from a career that has seen him work globally. Andy is already on board and was instrumental as part of the PTO team delivering the San Francisco T100 races earlier this month.”
In his new role, Dr Baldwin will oversee the coordination and implementation of PTO’s Medical Team programs, ensuring uniformity in the execution of the PTO’s medical plan and continuity of care and service across all events. He will also collaborate closely with World Triathlon to align PTO’s policies, procedures, and protocols with those of the global triathlon community.
“In the military, you learn to be a leader in addition to a physician,” said Dr Baldwin. “I am excited to lead the medical team at the PTO, helping to establish and build the new T100 Triathlon World Tour at the pinnacle of the sport.
“The PTO’s work with professional athletes as co-owners of the business and its mission to elevate long-distance triathlon to mainstream status is inspiring. I witnessed this firsthand in San Francisco, where we had some incredible racing set against an iconic backdrop.”
As a dedicated sportsman, Dr Baldwin is a strong advocate for promoting health and fitness. He has been featured in Men’s Health Magazine, Runner’s World, and GQ Magazine, and has been recognised for his humanitarian work with the Competitor Magazine’s ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ award.
