MARTINS FERRY — A nationally known neurosurgeon with roots in Belmont County spoke to the Martins Ferry business community on Monday, touting some of the more recent advances in his field.

Dr. Joseph Maroon, a clinical professor and the Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh — who served as team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 40 years and worked as medical director for World Wrestling Entertainment — was born in Wheeling. He is a graduate of the former St. John Central High School in Bellaire and was raised in Bridgeport. His own athletic success as a prep player and as a member of the American Legion Post 227 baseball team led to the scholarship that made his career in medicine possible.

He was the featured speaker at the Martins Ferry Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Dinner on Monday evening.

“It all started a few years ago in Bridgeport, Ohio, where I grew up and there were, you know, 3,000 people, 20 bars and 40 dogs,” Maroon joked as he reflected on how happy he was to be speaking to a familiar crowd filled with old friends. “… On the banks of the Ohio River, you had three choices … if you finished high school. You either worked at the steel mills, you worked in the coal mines or you got an athletic scholarship.”

Maroon pointed out that he played Legion baseball on the same team as sports legends John Havlicek and Phil Niekro. He said the scholarship he received as a result of his skills on the field led him to Indiana University and its medical school. And that was the start of a long, storied career.

Maroon shared the stories, illustrated with images of X-rays and MRIs, of several elite athletes he has helped during the course of his career.

He cited individuals such as the Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis and WWE professional wrestlers including John Cena and Edge. He explained that the work he and his team have done with those patients has led to advances in medical techniques, including minimally invasive surgeries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy to enhance the healing of tissues and, most recently, “Intelligent Mouthguards.” He said this new technology includes instruments that detect every blow to the head, the G forces involved and the number of hits received. That data can instantly be transmitted to coaches or parents watching from the stands, leading to a quicker evaluation of a player who may have a concussion.

He said World Rugby has mandated that its 7,500 players must use the devices beginning this year.

Following his talk, Maroon took questions from the audience. In answer to one of those questions, he said the mouthguards cost about $100 apiece, making them an affordable safeguard for athletes at all levels.

Maroon also said he is a big proponent of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which can be used to treat spinal cord injuries, stroke patients, those with long COVID and those who have sustained concussions.

Maroon stressed that he was blessed to be raised in the Ohio Valley, and he noted that the meal served at the Martins Ferry Recreation Center was catered by “the best restaurant in the United States” – Abbey’s Restaurant onWheeling Island, which is owned by members of his family.

In addition to the dinner and Maroon’s presentation, the event included the presentation of the Business Achievement Award. The honor went to Deluxe Toy and Hobby, owned by Michael and Connie Yeso. Connie became emotional as they accepted the award, and Michael pointed out that not everyone is lucky enough to get to work with their spouse every day. He said Connie’s parents started the business 68 years ago, and the secret of its success has been the support it has received from the community.

Sponsors of the dinner included the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research, Unified Bank, Dan Stephens State Farm, Wilson Funeral Home/Heslop Chapel, Stecker Law Group, The Times Leader and Linda Brown, All State Insurance.