Dr. Ross has been a trusted member of Cheyenne Frontier Days™ since 1986, beginning his service as an Arena Physician and later assuming the role of CFD Medical Director in 2018. For nearly four decades, he has served at the intersection of medicine, athletics, and western heritage, providing exceptional care in one of the most demanding medical environments in sports.

His father was a member of the Sheriff’s Posse, and Dr. Ross remembers, as a child, riding in the rodeo and watching from the fence. He has also been a member of the Grounds Committee for 35 years and became a HEEL in 2005.

Unlike traditional clinical settings, the rodeo arena presents constant unpredictable high-speed events: powerful animals, extreme weather conditions, and athletes who routinely test the limits of human endurance. Dr. Ross embraced these challenges fully, understanding that his preparation, judgment, and presence were critical not only in moments of injury, but in fostering confidence and trust among contestants, organizers, and spectators alike.
Dr. Ross has worked tirelessly to improve the medical care and response from 1989 in treating Lane Frost, culminating to the
miraculous survival of Dylan Terro last summer with a similar catastrophic injury.

Throughout his nearly forty years of service, Dr. Ross worked seamlessly with emergency medical teams, athletic trainers, event officials, and rodeo personnel to ensure care was immediate, coordinated, and of the highest quality. His ability to assess injuries quickly, make sound medical decisions under pressure, and balance athlete safety with competitive integrity earned him respect throughout the rodeo community.

Dr. Ross’s contributions extended far beyond injury response. As both Arena Physician and Medical Director, he played a vital role in pre-event planning, safety protocols, and overall medical readiness. His leadership helped ensure that CFD consistently met and often exceeded the expectations of professional rodeo organizations and the elite contestants who traveled across the nation and around the world to compete in Cheyenne.

Recognizing the toughness and determination inherent in rodeo athletes, he approached each competitor with respect, empathy, and honesty, earning their trust while never compromising long-term health or safety. His decisions are guided by sound
medical judgment and an unwavering sense of responsibility.

Dr. Ross’s calm demeanor in high-stress situations became a hallmark of his service. In moments when injuries commanded the attention of the crowd and the intensity of emotions peaked, he remained composed and focused. By fostering collaboration and mutual respect among emergency responders, nurses, athletic trainers, and support staff, he elevated the entire medical operation in the arena and strengthened the safety net protecting everyone involved in the event.

Under his guidance, CFD remained aligned with modern medical standards while continuing to honor the rugged traditions that define rodeo.

Dr. Ross earned his medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha and completed his residency training at the University of Wyoming. He has been board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine. In 1992, he founded the Smart Sports Medicine Center in Cheyenne, through which he continues to care for patients across northern Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska, including the cowboys and cowgirls of CFD and numerous other rodeo events. Since 2008, he has also served as a sports medicine physician with Orthopedic & Spine Center of the Rockies.

In addition to his CFD service, Dr. Ross currently serves as a team physician for the Colorado Eagles and as an associate team physician for Professional Bull Riders. He is also one of the Justin Sportsmedicine team physicians. He served as Team Physician for the Professional Rough Stock Series from 2014 to 2017, was Medical Director and Team Physician for Bull Riders Only where he was one of the six founding members and served as Team Physician for the U.S. Wrestling Team in Cali, Colombia, in 1992. He was also one of the Team Physicians for the ASP Pro Surfing Series from 1999 to 2003. Locally, he served as Team Physician for East High School from 1986 to 2018 and South High School from 2012 to 2018.

Dr. Ross has been married to his wife, Sasha, for 30 years. They have two daughters, Kylie and Macy. Kylie and her husband, Michael, have a seven-month-old son, Stetson.

Dr. Ross’s legacy is one of professionalism, leadership, and unwavering dedication—an enduring contribution to the safety, integrity, and tradition of CFD.