At the time, the mission of GLMS was to provide a volunteer physician on the sideline of every Friday night football game to ensure
appropriate medical care for injuries. In those days, many schools
had no medical assistance for games. The volunteer physician usually
started by partnering with a therapy facility that
could provide a trainer for the school. In many
cases, this resulted in long-term relationships
between the school and the trainer. As others
did, I accepted the invite as part of my desire
to give back to the community, I partnered up
with KORT to provide a trainer and started my
Friday night rituals. Over the years, I have enjoyed my Friday nights and feel that the coaches,
athletic directors and trainers have felt more
comfortable managing injuries in my presence.
We have learned from each other. My sports
medicine background and education has only
improved during these years with this vast experience. In all these years, I have had to relocate
many fingers and a few shoulders, I have had to assess multiple ACL
tears on the field, and I have had to assess many head injuries. In all
this time, one of those head injuries required emergent surgery and
one player had to be transported emergently for a splenic injury. I
am confident that on those nights, we cared for those youngsters
as appropriately and promptly as we could, and we expedited care
that clearly was critical. At the conclusion of those tough games, it
was clear that the mission of GLMS to provide medical coverage
for games continues to be important, is necessary and is working.
The mission though may have included another more important
unintended community benefit, one that includes providing role
models on the sidelines for the high school kids. The best nights
include interactions with many of the kids. Some ask questions
about medicine or college. It always gets me
when at Homecoming or Senior Night, the
announcers call out the future plans of the kids,
and many include going into sports medicine.
Although I do not think I can take credit for all
of this, I do have to think the medical presence
on the sidelines contributes. If my presence at
the games has helped in this regard at all, then
all these years have definitely been worth it.
For me, this volunteer position serves multiple
purposes in our community, and it is essential. I
encourage any physicians interested to consider
jumping into the fray. Tom Steltenkamp at Ellis
& Badenhausen Orthopaedics has organized
the team physician list for GLMS for the last
few years, and would appreciate any volunteers. Even currently,
there are schools without physician coverage, although most have
trainers already. The existing sports medicine providers are always
ready and willing to assist any newcomers while they get their feet
wet. Hope to see you out there under the Friday night lights.
At the conclusion of
those tough games,
it was clear that the
mission of GLMS
to provide medical
coverage for games
continues to be
important, is necessary
and is working.
Dr. Degruccio practices orthopaedic surgery with Orthopedic & Sports
Specialists of Louisville, PSC.
PROFESSIONAL
ANNOUNCEMENT PACKAGE
Do you have a
new physician
joining your
practice?
Are you
opening a
new satellite
office?
Are you
moving to a
new office
location?
The GLMS Professional Announcement Package provides mailings
and printed announcements in the monthly publications to let
your colleagues know about changes in your practice.
Outsource your next mailing to GLMS.
CONTACT
Cheri McGuire, Director of Marketing
502.736.6336
[email protected]
DECEMBER 2016
21