On November 15th, an extraordinary event took place at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. A remarkable 130 students from each high school within the Sweetwater Union High School District came together to participate in the highly anticipated Sports Medicine Seminar. This initiative, sponsored by the Southwest Sports Wellness Foundation and the SWHSD, forms an integral part of the Sports Medicine CTE Program offered across all high schools in the district.

Discovering the World of Sports Medicine

Dr. Micole Kranzberg, the Community Outreach Director of the SWSWF, shared that the foundation has been in existence for over 20 years. It was founded by Dr. Charles Camarata, a South Bay physician who has been dedicated to caring for student athletes in the South Bay since the 1960s. This event was specifically designed as a sports medicine seminar to inspire students to pursue health career fields, emphasizing the significant need in this area. The aim was to offer students firsthand experience in healthcare-related skills, particularly within the realm of sports medicine, along with insights into various career paths. 1: Students were fortunate to have an interactive session with Dr. Laura Sudano, a sports psychologist for the San Diego Padres and affiliated with USCS Health. They gained valuable strategy skills and a clear understanding of a sports psychologist's daily job responsibilities. Additionally, they worked with professional volleyball player Julie Patois on protocol sports, acquiring functional assessment skills and learning how to help athletes achieve optimal performance, whether as a sports performance coach or a physical therapist. Working with a USA archery athlete who organized the "Train Like a Pro" experience allowed students to learn archery skills and be trained by Olympic athletes, which was undoubtedly a highlight of their day. 2: Many students were unaware that these athlete careers require extensive daily practice. At the sports nutrition station, students learned the basics of essential foods for professional athletes and what it means to be a sports nutritionist. The emergency response station provided them with skills in immobilization, fracture assessment, and dislocation. Dr. Alec Contag, who led the charge in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, demonstrated what it's like to be a sports physician in large events and triaging significant injuries. Overall, this interactive experience opened students' minds to the diverse career options in the sports medicine field.

The Importance of Specialists in Sports Medicine

Over the past few years, with the increased focus on professional athletes' injuries, the significance of sports medicine has come to the forefront. Dr. Kranzberg emphasized the true need for specialists in sports medicine, including physicians, athlete trainers, and physical therapists, not just for professional athletes but also for individuals outside this realm. The Southwest Sports Wellness Foundation was established in 2010 to address the need in underserved areas of the San Diego community by sponsoring high school sports medicine educational seminars, providing no-cost assessments, evaluations, and rehabilitation. In 2018, the foundation opened a comprehensive Sports Medicine Injury Clinic & Wellness Center within the SUHSD, offering over 800 sq ft of space for screening, assessing, and evaluating student-athletes at no cost.