April 29, 2024

Meet Matthew Berning

Clinical Manager

Where are you from? 

I grew up on the south side of Denver, in a town called Castle Rock Colorado. It was a great place to live with so many outdoor/active things to do. I grew up playing sports, skiing, and hiking. Castle Rock got its name for a prominent rock formation that resembles a castle tower in the center of the town.

What made you interested in orthopedics? 

The Orthopedic setting came very natural for me as an Athletic Trainer. Early on, as a sports medicine professional, I loved learning about the orthopedic clinical setting when our team doctor who come out to our games and we could talk shop. I was able to create a relationship with one of our team doctors, and when she had an opening for a clinical position I jumped all over it. I have loved working in the orthopedic setting ever since, and have learned so much.

What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?

I really came to WashU Ortho as I was very interested to work with some of the highest quality sports medicine professionals around. Working directly with Dr. Matava, who is so involved with so many local professional teams, high schools, and universities, provided me with so many learning opportunities that I never had before. His expertise is unmatched. The sports medicine providers here at WashU Ortho are truly some of the most well known in all of the sports medicine and research community. WashU Ortho also does a great job with our clinical Athletic Trainers. The way we are utilized in clinic, helps us create a unique set of skills. There is also a great career development structure with the department, as there are now 4-5 athletic trainers in management or administration positions.

What aspect of your work do you find most interesting or rewarding?

I love creating a relationship and sense of teamwork for our sports medicine and APP practices. I have learned so much during the WashU Emerging Leaders Program, and truly think getting to know people and understanding their why, helps motivate me to create the best team possible. I also enjoy being a coach for my team. Being in a leadership role, coaching my team to help problem solve and troubleshoot issues we deal with day to day helps provide guidance, but doesn’t create a solution for them. I want my team to understand they have the solution to the problem in them, at times it just takes a bit of coaching for them to find the solution themselves.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

I love spending time with my family. My wife Kelley, and three daughters Hadley, Grace, and Anne.  We are into a lot of activities, sports, and we love traveling, fishing, and playing tennis. Kelley and I met while at grad school at University of Arkansas, she is such a rockstar. 

What's the best advice you ever received? 

To always keep a pen on me. Early on in my career, I would forget things here and there that would come up spontaneously. I figured out that my short term memory is not as active as my long term memory. My mentor back in college recommended for me to keep a pen and notepad on me while I was busy. It stuck, and still to this day, I keep a pen in my pocket and a note pad for things that just come up.

If you weren't in health care, what would you like to be doing?

I would be teaching. Coming from a family of both parents who are teachers, I initially went to school for an education degree. While I was an athletic trainer at a local high school, I also was a substitute teacher during the day. I enjoy the process of teaching someone something new. That is something I have carried over with me from my past teaching jobs to my current management job.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I love golf, renovation projects around the house, and coffee. I also coached my first grade and kindergarteners' soccer and basketball teams this past season. It was a great patience tester. 

Learn why patient's choose Washington University Orthopedics, request an appointment online or call (314) 514-3500.