Today, he is the head orthopedic surgeon for the New Orleans Saints and an integral part of the Baton Rouge community. But when he was younger, Larry Bankston never thought he would stay in Louisiana.
Growing up and attending LSU’s University Lab School—mere feet from the college campus—Bankston says by the time he reached sixth grade, he was so over the university.
But after receiving an offer to swim competitively at LSU during college, he begrudgingly decided to go.
Being a college athlete inspired him to look into the field of sports medicine. Before he knew it, he was a student at LSU Medical School, and then completing his residency and fellowship in Alabama and North Carolina.
After spending about 10 years away from Baton Rouge, Bankston was ready to return home. He began working with the Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic, immersing himself into his practice and the community around him. He worked with local sports teams, LSU athletics, and organizations like the Knock Knock Children’s Museum and the Baton Rouge Soccer Club.
Then last August, he got the call that would change his career forever: an offer to be a part of the Saints’ medical staff.
Bankston had just purchased a house with his wife and their two young sons. After a long discussion with his family and a lot of planning, he accepted the once-in-a-lifetime offer, deciding to commute from Baton Rouge to New Orleans multiple times a week.
Spending most mornings with the Saints has only solidified his love for the organization. He can be seen on the field at every game watching plays, trying to spot potential injuries. During the week, his time is devoted to treating players’ injuries and determining when it is safe for them to get back on the field.
While someone else might have decided to quit the Baton Rouge practice and focus on the Saints, he did not feel he could abandon his work—or his city. The same streets and places he once couldn’t wait to leave behind have become his chosen home—one that has made him who he is today.
“The orthopedic practice here in Baton Rouge was just too great to ever leave. For nine years, I have established patients that know me and know who I am. I did not want to let them down and not work with them anymore.”
This article was originally published in the November 2018 issue of 225 Magazine.
