loughran and cheatham

Thomas Loughran, M.D., (left), and his mentee Seth Cheatham, M.D.

A Great Courtside Manner

Make no bones about it: Thomas Loughran, M.D., the founding director of the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic, is a legend on and off the court. 

Over 40 years, he has helped to repair the injuries of many student athletes. He also trained hundreds of orthopaedic surgeons who have gone on to successful sports medicine careers. One of those trainees was Seth Cheatham, M.D., his mentee-turned-colleague who eventually would succeed Dr. Loughran as medical director for VCU Athletics. 

After his own residency on the MCV Campus, Dr. Cheatham completed a fellowship in Kentucky before returning to the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic. The transition from Dr. Loughran’s former resident to colleague was seamless. 

“Tom was always so welcoming,” Dr. Cheatham said. “And he and I complemented each other well.” 

Together they shared clinical responsibilities as well as the demanding work of taking care of athletes on local high school and college sports teams. Over the years, as Dr. Loughran began to step back and ease into semiretirement, Dr. Cheatham assumed more responsibilities at the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic, where he strives to emulate his mentor’s dedication and willingness to do anything for anybody. 

“If somebody had a problem and needed to be seen, the answer was always yes,” Dr. Cheatham said. “It doesn’t matter how busy you think you are. You always make time for the people who reach out and need you.” 

Dr. Cheatham’s experiences learning from and working with Dr. Loughran inspired him to make a lead gift to create an endowed fund in honor of his mentor, who retired from full-time faculty service in 2022. Since the fund’s establishment, many more colleagues have made gifts to support the effort. 

The Tom Loughran, M.D., Fund for Orthopaedic Surgery will provide enduring support for the VCU Department of Orthopaedic Surgery's faculty, residents and fellows as well as its research, education and clinical care. The fund will also enhance alumni engagement in the department.


If you would like to support the Tom Loughran, M.D., Fund for Orthopaedic Surgery, contact Andrew Hartley, senior director of development in the VCU Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, at 804-628-5312, or aphartle@vcu.edu.