Doctor honored for lifelong impact in sports medicine

PeopleHealthSports

May 9

Dr. Edwin Kornoelje (center) is honored with the 2025 Bill Barkeley Pinnacle of Achievement Award by Dr. Ronald Grifka, president of UM Health-West (left), and John Hendrickson, chair of the UM Health-West Board of Directors (right), during the VITALITY Gala on May 3, 2025.
Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Health-West

During its annual VITALITY Gala, University of Michigan Health-West presented the 2025 Bill Barkeley Pinnacle of Achievement Award to Edwin Kornoelje, D.O., widely known as “Dr. K” across West Michigan, for his lasting impact in research, innovation, safety, and legacy.

Dr. Kornoelje is the director of Sports Medicine at UM Health-West and leads its primary care sports medicine fellowship. Over more than three decades, he has strengthened community health by fostering partnerships with athletic programs, mentoring fellow clinicians, and championing the belief that movement is medicine.

“This award reflects a legacy of compassion, commitment and service that perfectly describes Dr. K,” said Ronald Grifka, M.D., President, UM Health-West. “He has touched thousands of lives, whether in the exam room, on the sidelines or at the finish line. His work has elevated our sports medicine program and the health and spirit of our region.”

His journey began as a third-year medical student, just as Metro Health (now UM Health-West) was launching its sports medicine program. When the founding director stepped down, Dr. Kornoelje stepped in and never looked back.

“It’s never been about me,” said Dr. Kornoelje. “It’s about the teams—our care teams, the athletes we serve, and the communities we live in. When you meet people where they are—on the field, at the track, at a race—you help them believe they can move forward. That’s the power of sports medicine.”

Under his leadership, the UM Health-West Sports Medicine team has broadened its impact, partnering with athletic programs at all levels. In addition to long-standing relationships with Grand Valley State University and Aquinas College, the program now supports teams at Calvin University, Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Community College. At the high school level, UM Health-West serves student-athletes from Byron Center, Caledonia, East Kentwood, Grand Rapids Christian, Kelloggsville, Lowell, Northview, and South Christian.

Dr. Kornoelje also serves as medical director for the Grand Rapids Griffins, a role he’s held since the team’s founding in 1996, and for the Grand Rapids Rise volleyball team.

“He’s been the constant thread in a decades-long relationship between our team and UM Health-West,” said Bob Kaser, Vice President of Broadcasting, Grand Rapids Griffins. “You don’t just respect Dr. K as a physician—you trust him as part of your family.”