IndyCar and IU Health announce promotions for IndyCar’s medical team

Indiana University Health, the largest medical provider in the state of Indiana with hospitals across the state, and IndyCar have announced several important updates before track activity begins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for this year’s 108th running.^e Indianapolis 500.

IndyCar and IU Health announced on May 1 the appointment of Angela Fiege, MD as director of medical services for Indy NXT
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by Firestone and the addition of sports neurologist Bert Vargas, MD to the IndyCar Medical Team.

IU Health is the official healthcare provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Medical Team is made up of IU Health physicians and nurses who are experts in motorsports medicine.

Named “No. 1 Hospital in Indiana” by American news and world reportIndiana University Health provides a uniform standard of premier, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – gives our highly trained physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technologies.

Fiege, a veteran critical care and emergency physician at IU Health, is also a longtime motorsports physician. She has held various positions in motorsports, including the IndyCar Medical team since 2010 and the AMR motorsports physician team for NASCAR. Since 2007, she has also worked at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a trackside physician.

Fiege will continue in her role as deputy director of medical services for the NTT IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, alongside medical director Julia Vaizer, MD.

“Dr. Fiege continues to be a tremendous asset to the IndyCar Medical Team and I am thrilled that she can focus on the care and well-being of our Indy NXT by Firestone paddock,” said Vaizer.

Fiege is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine, where she is also an assistant professor of clinical medicine.

“The IndyCar Medical Team and Indiana University Health have a long history of providing exceptional medical care to our INDYCAR race participants,” said Fiege. “It is an incredible honor to be part of an organization that places such an emphasis on promoting the safety and well-being of its participants. I look forward to the opportunity to continue this tradition and focus on the health of our IndyCar NXT drivers to extend the longevity of their careers.”

Vargas is the first neurologist to join the IndyCar Medical team, and his position is funded by Rev. revenues. Rev is the IU Health Foundation’s annual fundraising event held each May at IMS.

“It is an honor to join the IndyCar Medical Team and add to the superior care this group of motorsports athletes and their teams provide,” said Vargas. “IndyCar is among a growing list of sports organizations that have seen value in involving sports neurologists in athletic events. I hope to provide expertise in the field of neurotrauma with the aim of helping ensure driver safety and performance and also help ensure longevity in the sport for our athletes.”

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and Company in Indianapolis, Vargas is a sports neurologist and has led the AMR neurotrauma team for NASCAR since 2017, serves on the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and is also a non-affiliated neurotrauma consultant for the NFL. Vargas received his medical degree from the University of Arizona and served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force. After his service and residency at New York University, he completed a fellowship in headache medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and is now an adjunct clinical professor of neurology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

“To have someone with Dr.’s experience week in and week out. Having Vargas with us, providing post-incident evaluations and developing a comprehensive care plan to safely get our drivers back on track, is such a valuable addition to our team,” said Vaizer. “He will also be available to the IndyCar paddock to provide care to those who may be suffering from non-sports-related neurological conditions that can impact performance.”

IndyCar is a leader in the sports industry in proving the latest safety and medical advances to help protect its competitors and fans.

“The IndyCar Medical team has played a vital role in the success of the series, both on and off the track, and Dr. Fiege has made an important contribution to that,” said IndyCar president Jay Frye. “Her background and experience will be a real asset as she focuses on Firestone’s Indy NXT.

“The addition of Dr. Vargas is yet another example of IndyCar’s commitment to safety as he brings his guidance and expertise to an emerging field.”