- Blog
NFL Alumni Health Regenerative Medicine & Cell Therapy
Posted on 11-25-2025 in Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Therapy by Dr. Joshua Hackel
The National Football League Alumni Association (NFLA) recently announced a collaboration with Alliance for Cell Therapy Now–an independent, non-profit group dedicated to advancing safe and effective regenerative cell therapies–to educate its members on the risks, benefits, and science surrounding regenerative medicine and cell therapies. These developing treatments include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cell therapies, bone marrow aspirate (BMAC) and are of great interest to retired professional football players. Many of them live with the toll of years of hard play on the gridiron. However, the newness of these treatments can leave patients with more questions than answers, so the NFLA took the initiative to gather experts in the field to educate, inform, and empower their members.
To that end, Dr. Josh Hackel is honored to serve on the NFL Alumni’s Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Advisory Committee, whose mission is to help guide this educational outreach program. Dr. Hackel’s tenure on this committee echoes his commitment to driving forward the critical work of understanding the potential benefits of cell-based therapies through cutting-edge research and education.
In addition to his work on the Advisory Committee, Dr. Hackel will participate alongside other experts in the webinars the NFLA publishes to educate its members. The Advisory Committee also aims to help NFL Alumni members make informed decisions about locating, evaluating, and enrolling in one of the many cell-based therapy clinical studies currently underway across the country.
To read more about the vital work of the NFL Alumni Association, or to watch the past and future webinars, visit the Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy landing page.
Check out some of our related posts:
Ultrasound Use in Sports Medicine
Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging offers orthopaedic patients safe, painless, and real-time imaging, without any harmful ionizing radiation or the need for uncomfortable positioning. As the first sports medicine physician in the region to utilize ultrasound for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, Dr. Josh Hackel’s commitment to innovation has improved the accessibility of care for his patients.
Strong Bones & Aging
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 2 million older Americans sustain fractures yearly due to weak bones. By 2025, that number is predicted to rise to 3 million fractures annually. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we recognize the importance of maintaining strong bones, particularly as you age. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, the following tips can help you maintain, and even improve, your bone strength:
Osteoporosis Management
We see our share of broken bones as an orthopaedic and sports medicine practice. From the high school baseball player who collided with first base a little too hard to the avid DIY’er who took a tumble from an unsecured ladder and everything in between, we’ve seen it all. As we age, we also gradually lose bone mass, which occurs as small amounts of healthy bone are absorbed into your body as small amounts are replaced. When more bone is absorbed than is replaced, the density (bone mass) is reduced. Osteoporosis develops when the bone is no longer replaced as quickly as it is removed, and over time, it causes the bone to become progressively weaker, increasing the risk that it may break.