news Archives - NexGen Hyperbaric

Philadelphia Flyers Deepen Commitment to Alumni with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Partnership

June 19, 2025/in Blog, news/by Ryan Kesner

PHILADELPHIA, PA – [06/19/2025] – In a groundbreaking move that reinforces their commitment to player wellness, the Philadelphia Flyers, in partnership with NexGen Hyperbaric, have expanded access to medical-grade Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Flyers alumni, helping retired athletes recover from decades of physical trauma.

For Ed Hospodar, a former Flyers enforcer and longtime NHL defenseman, that commitment has been nothing short of transformational.

“After 40 years of living with chronic pain from a neck injury I sustained in 1985, I finally found real relief through medical-grade HBOT,” said Hospodar. “Within two months, I regained mobility I never thought possible. This isn’t just recovery—this is healing.”

Healing Beyond the Game

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy delivers 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, promoting cellular regeneration, reducing inflammation, and accelerating recovery from soft tissue and neurological injuries. Originally developed to treat wounds and decompression sickness, HBOT is now recognized for its profound regenerative effects—especially for athletes whose bodies have endured years of impact.

“HBOT isn’t just for the next game—it’s about long-term wellness,” said Jonathan Rotella, CEO of NexGen Hyperbaric. “What the Flyers are doing is special. They’re saying to their former players: ‘We remember you, we care about you, and your health matters—now more than ever.’”

NexGen Hyperbaric’s state-of-the-art mobile hyperbaric trailer equipped with two medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers stationed outside the Philadelphia Flyers’ training facility, providing advanced recovery and wellness support for current and former players.

Hospodar’s experience with NexGen’s mobile unit at the Flyers’ training facility highlights the difference between mild hyperbaric chambers and medical-grade HBOT.

“I had previously tried soft-sided chambers, and even a hard-sided mild chamber,” Hospodar shared. “They don’t deliver 100% medical-grade oxygen, and they’re often used in non-clinical settings. What NexGen offers is in a completely different class—this is real medicine.”

“This isn’t a spa. This is a professional clinical environment where I’m treated like a patient, not a customer. The equipment is state-of-the-art, and the results speak for themselves.”

A Model for Sports Medicine Nationwide

The Flyers are the first NHL team to integrate a mobile HBOT unit on-site to treat both current players and alumni, setting a new benchmark in player care.

“It’s about more than performance—it’s about giving our athletes the tools to live well, long after they’ve left the ice,” said Ian McKeown, Vice President of Athlete Performance & Wellness for the Flyers. “We’re proud to be part of this evolution in sports medicine.”

Hospodar’s story speaks for many athletes: tough, resilient, and often quiet about the toll of their careers. With HBOT, they’re finding their voices—and their strength—again.

“I’m not just living—I’m thriving. And I’m doing it because the Flyers cared enough to bring this treatment to us,” said Hospodar. “If I had HBOT during my playing days, my career and recovery would have looked very different. But I’m grateful to have it now.”

About NexGen Hyperbaric

Founded in 2004, NexGen Hyperbaric is a national leader in medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy. With fixed and mobile units across the country, NexGen is redefining access to cutting-edge recovery and regenerative medicine. The company partners with professional sports teams, hospitals, and research institutions to expand the clinical applications of HBOT.

Media Contact:
Brandi Cooper
[email protected]
888-567-4302
www.NexGenHyperbaric.com

Flyers VP of Athlete Performance and Wellness Ian McKeown joins Flyers Daily Podcast

April 30, 2025/in Blog, news/by Ryan Kesner

By Philadelphia Flyers / philadelphiaflyers.com

April 30, 2025

Ian McKeown’s role as vice president of athlete performance and wellness for the Philadelphia Flyers is wide-ranging. The Flyers have staff members helping the players do everything – get ready for the game, measure their output during the game, and recover for the next game. Through the grind of an NHL season, with travel and back-to-backs and late nights, it’s an ongoing challenge.

To that end, McKeown and his staff are looking for any edge they can find to help with the process.  Compare it to NASCAR – every week, there are at least 25 cars showing up that are going to run 200 MPH. The key to success is to find a way to run 200.5 MPH. So what’s the hockey equivalent of that?

One place the Flyers have tried this season is in recovery, where they have partnered with NexGen Hyperbaric to make hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) available to their players.

“Penn Medicine has a great hyperbaric medicine program, and we’re lucky that our emergency doctors here that are actually part of that and lead that program,” McKeown said. “So we’re a little bit aware of of the difference between something you’ve seen off the shelf and a true medicine, the potency of what we’re doing. So we’re really going after that.”

Hyperbaric Medicine is known not only for accelerating recovery from physical injuries but also for enhancing mental clarity, improving cognitive function, and promoting overall wellness. This therapy can help the body recover more quickly, prevent future injuries, and sharpen mental performance—enabling athletes to not just heal but to thrive. By partnering with NexGen Hyperbaric and integrating medical-grade HBOT on-site, the Flyers are actively working to make their players healthier, stronger, and more resilient, taking performance and wellness to the next level.

“It’s what is going to make these guys thrive in the NHL for a long period of time,” he said. “We’re not here to be a flash in the pan. We want to be successful for a long period of time. And that that that means being sustainably good, and it’s been able to take what sustainable high performance is across every single industry – whether that’s Wall Street, whether that’s medicine, whether that’s academia, whatever it is, we’ve got to lean on that as well.”

But it’s not just the current players who are benefitting from the partnership. The Flyers are also making the treatment available to their alumni, as it can offer benefits from the long-term effects of a hockey career as well.  It’s a renewal of Ed Snider’s longstanding commitment to take care of the team’s players even after they’re done playing.

“You know, once a Flyer, always a Flyer,” McKeown said. “One of the great things I did early when I joined here was learn a little bit more about Mr. Snider’s legacy, whether it’s internally, with the staff that are still here, or with the alumni. There’s nothing to be more proud of than the legacy and having people that you have had the pleasure of working with in a sport, and whenever you’ve been able to see them come back and be part of being able to look after them and being able to give them the support that they need after such a gladiatorial career.”

To that end, McKeown has found that the staff at NexGen Hyperbaric have similar values.

“The absolute highlight for me is the people around NexGen,” McKeown said. “Everyone from the technicians, which are on call 24/7 for our players, as well as their leadership, run by Jonathan Rotella who’s been phenomenally supportive of us and my vision for the Flyers, but, and then the absolute pleasure of getting to know Jerry Rosburg relatively well over the time. He’s a Super Bowl winning coach, he speaks locker room language, he truly gets it. It’s quite unique to have a high-end medical facility that has such a translator into sport. So we’re very lucky to have him, and I really value how we’ve been able to do to work together with them.”

So while the Flyers are making inroads with NexGen’s technology, it’s not meant to be a short-term thing. McKeown and his staff are looking to build an approach that will be a lasting part of the team’s quest to win the Stanley Cup, and hyperbaric medicine is a big part of it.

“The support of the management team has been amazing, beginning with Dan Hilferty,” said McKeown. “When it comes to the best care, cutting edge technology and any advantage we can give our staff and athletes, it’s never a question with Dan. It’s ‘Let’s do it!” That kind of commitment resonates and continues with Keith and Danny. It is so crucial to what we are building, which is long-term and sustained success.”

Philadelphia Phillies Become First MLB Team to Partner with NexGen Hyperbaric, Bringing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Players for the 2025 Season

April 28, 2025/in news/by cmorris

PHILADELPHIA, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Philadelphia Phillies today announced a groundbreaking partnership with NexGen Hyperbaric, making the club the first Major League Baseball (MLB) team to implement a dedicated clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) program for its players. Starting in the 2025 season, the Phillies will integrate NexGen’s state-of-the-art HBOT services into their player health and recovery protocols. This forward-thinking initiative highlights the Phillies’ commitment to the long-term health and wellness of their athletes, both on and off the field.

The Phillies’ embrace of HBOT demonstrates an innovative approach to player care aimed at enhancing performance and recovery. Paul Buchheit, Head Athletic Trainer of the Phillies, explained the significance of the new program: “The Philadelphia Phillies Medical Services Department continuously strives to provide the highest quality care for our players to not only maintain overall health and wellness but also to enhance performance. We feel that NexGen Hyperbaric is a key partner to provide the best medical grade, hyperbaric oxygen therapy available to help promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery. We are excited to incorporate their technology into our players’ recovery program.”

Setting a New Standard in Player Recovery and Performance

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen to a person in a pressurized chamber, allowing the lungs and bloodstream to absorb significantly more oxygen than under normal conditions. This increased oxygen availability accelerates the body’s natural healing processes.

Key benefits of HBOT for athletes include:

Enhanced tissue repair and accelerated healing of injuries
Reduction of inflammation and swelling in muscles and joints
Improved circulation and oxygen delivery throughout the body
Faster recovery from intense training sessions and games

With NexGen’s cutting-edge mobile HBOT units, the Phillies can receive these treatments on-site at their training facilities or even during road trips. This mobility ensures players have convenient access to advanced recovery therapy as part of their regular regimen, without disrupting practice or travel schedules. NexGen Hyperbaric only uses medical grade hyperbaric chambers, ensuring players receive treatment in a controlled and professional environment.

Jonathan Rotella, President and CEO of NexGen Hyperbaric, noted that the collaboration goes beyond technology—it reflects a shared vision for athlete well-being: “This partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies represents more than just innovation — it reflects a shared commitment to redefining how we support professional athletes at the highest level. We are honored to work alongside an organization that prioritizes the long-term health and wellness of its players. At NexGen Hyperbaric, we believe in not only helping players recover faster but in helping them thrive — physically, mentally, and beyond the field. We are proud to contribute to the health and performance of the Phillies throughout the 2025 season and beyond.”

A Holistic Approach to Player Wellness

The Phillies’ decision to adopt HBOT is rooted in a holistic philosophy of player wellness. By looking beyond traditional training and rehabilitation methods, the organization aims to support every aspect of their athletes’ well-being. This approach recognizes that peak performance on the field is closely tied to overall health off the field. The team believes that proactively enhancing players’ physical recovery and mental readiness will not only help them stay in top condition during the season but also improve their long-term quality of life. By embracing innovative therapies like HBOT as part of a broader health program, the Phillies are setting a new benchmark for how an MLB franchise cares for its players in a comprehensive, forward-thinking way.

About NexGen Hyperbaric

NexGen Hyperbaric is a national leader in clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy, offering innovative solutions to enhance healing, optimize performance, and promote long-term health. Its state-of-the-art mobile HBOT systems are designed to deliver medical-grade oxygen therapy on-site, meeting the needs of athletes, healthcare providers, and patients wherever they are. Each treatment is administered under the supervision of certified hyperbaric oxygen therapy professionals, ensuring the highest standards of safety and effectiveness.

NexGen’s expertise and cutting-edge approach have led to partnerships with numerous professional sports organizations across the NFL, NHL, and now MLB. With a mission to improve recovery and wellness at the highest levels of competition, NexGen Hyperbaric is at the forefront of helping athletes recover faster and thrive.

Contact Information
Brandi Cooper, MBA
NexGen Hyperbaric
(888) 567-4302
[email protected]
https://nexgenhyperbaric.com

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Athletes; An Interview With Jerry Rosburg

July 20, 2023/in news/by Ryan Kesner

In the early months of 2022, NexGen Hyperbaric, LLC formally welcomed Jerry Rosburg, a former NFL coach with two decades of service and a Super Bowl Championship Ring, to their Sports Medicine division. Jerry serves as the Vice President of Sports Services.

What drew Jerry to NexGen Hyperbaric?

When Jerry visited one of NexGen Hyperbaric’s facilities, the regular technician was out and filling in was the President & CEO of NexGen Hyperbaric, Jonathan Rotella. Jerry described that he immediately recognized Jonathan’s passion for healing and high level of expertise in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Interested in learning more, Jerry asked Jonathan, “Why aren’t professional sports teams using this?”

“The care and well-being of the players is a priority of mine. I care about these guys – while they are playing and thereafter. Our goal is to expand the utilization of this healing therapy and to advance the research of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy so that its many benefits may be more universally recognized.”

– Jerry Rosburg

Jerry proceeded to formally introduce himself to Jonathan and they have since developed an entire division focused on providing treatment to injured and recovering athletes. This division also includes developing research partnerships to provide more comprehensive data.

How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy fit in during the athletes’ active seasons?

“One of the challenges for the team and players is trying to fit treatments into a busy schedule. For those teams without a clinical HBOT facility nearby, the NexGen mobile units are a convenient way to bring HBOT directly to the team’s facility. This allows for immediate access and flexibility in scheduling.”

What have players mentioned to you about their experience with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

“Out of conversation with the players, I have received positive feedback about the benefits of the therapy for their injuries and the treatment experience is generally described as pleasant and even peaceful. Numerous players have noted the adjunct benefit of better sleep at night.

In your opinion, what does the future of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy look like for professional athletes?

“There are several different aspects to this. First and foremost, as major sports teams include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy into their already established recovery protocol, the positive results will show for themselves. Our goal is to provide professional athletes with a convenient way to receive this treatment.

Secondly, working with NexGen Hyperbaric, my aim is to expand our research partnerships to help in the development of scientific evidence to support the usage Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for a wider range of health conditions.

Lastly, we aim to see the utilization of HBOT extended to the retired players who are experiencing orthopedic health issues, concussive health issues and even behavioral health issues.”