We’re proud of our physicians at OAZ and would like to give you the opportunity to know them better. Today we introduce you to Dr. Karl Saunders.

Dr. Saunders has been with the practice since 1981 and has served as president since 1993. He is an orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in arthritis, joint replacement, and hand and sports surgeries. Dr. Saunders is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association and is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

What our patients might not know is that Dr. Saunders also has a special interest in martial arts – particularly, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport and self-defense system that focuses on grappling and originates from the Japanese art of Kodokan Judo from the 20th century. It’s used for sport grappling tournaments, gi and no-gi, MMA competitions and self-defense.

Known within the martial arts community as “Brad Saunders,” Dr. Saunders is president of Saunix Jiu Jitsu and is a certified ringside doc.

Under his leadership, OAZ has hosted two mixed martial events with Magno Gama and will host the third Magno Gama event at Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville in 2012.

Check back on our blog for more information in the spring.

Dr. Karl Saunders, president of Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville and Saunix Jiu Jitsu, welcomes experienced mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Magno Gama for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16 at Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville’s facility located at 2854 Bell Street Zanesville, Ohio 43701.

Assisting Gama will be purple belts Marwin Roque, an experienced MMA fighter, and Dr. Saunders as his Brazilian martial arts name “Brad Saunders.”

After the seminar, both Gama and Roque are available for private training sessions from 1 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, April 17.

For more information about the private sessions, costs and to reserve a spot, contact Dr. Karl “Brad” Saunders at brad@saunix.net.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport and self-defense system that focuses on grappling and originates from the Japanese art of Kodokan Judo from the 20th century. It’s used for sport grappling tournaments, gi and no-gi, MMA competitions and self-defense.

Make sure to visit to the Ortho Zane blog after the event for pictures.

The cutting-edge technology used by the orthopaedic surgeons at Ohio’s OAZ was featured by the Zanesville Times-Recorder in January!

Be sure to check out Dr. Karl Saunders and his staff discuss the modern diagnostic equipment including digital X-ray.

Becky Tilton, registered radiologic technologist at Orthopaedic Associates is quoted: “We are very fortunate that we have this updated technology. Patients feel that it is a faster procedure and doesn’t take as long. I love it because you can see much more on the digital radiology versus film.”

The team of orthopaedic surgeons at Ohio’s OAZ office agree this technology improves the patient experience.

Dr. Karl Saunders will be speaking at Ohio University in Zanesville, Ohio on Friday evening, October 23 for the Genesis Spirit of Women “Girls Night Out.”   He will be speaking about successful life strategies dealing with bone and joint health for women.

Dr. Karl Saunders presented at Genesis HealthCare System’s Spirit of Women event on July 23, 2009. The program, titled “Life’s Not a Spectator Sport,” focused on maintaining active lifestyles. The event welcomed more than 100 guests.

Dr. Saunders spoke about women’s health as it relates to bones, exercise, proper nutrition, calcium, proper diet and weight control. He also gave tips for appropriate footwear.

For more information on Genesis HealthCare System and Spirit of Women, visit Genesishcs.org.