Augustus Thorndike

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Augustus Thorndike (1896 - 1986), was the chief of surgery at Harvard University from 1931 to 1962 and a pioneer in sports medicine.

Thorndike served in World War I and was a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. He pioneered many advancements in sports medicine, including the rules that a doctor must be present at every sports event and that a doctor must decide if an injured athlete should play. He also designed advanced equipment for football players and was the first to insist that hockey players wear helmets.