This Week: CCSD Safe Play Sports Medicine Program Begins
New CCSD athletic trainer program helps students score

Charleston, S.C., Aug. 8, 2011 – With fall sports conditioning programs underway and the start of the season coming soon, Charleston County School District (CCSD) kicks off CCSD’s Safe Play Sports Medicine Program this week supported by Roper St. Francis Healthcare (RSFH).

Through the collaborative effort between CCSD and RSFH, seven certified athletic trainers employed by RSFH will work directly with student athletes and athletic teams at nine high schools to provide conditioning and prevention education, injury prevention assistance and timely medical intervention during athletic practices and games should a sports injury occur.

“We had a void and we asked Roper St. Francis to help. This fall’s sports season is the first time CCSD has been able to provide a dedicated medical resource for student athletes,” said Dave Spurlock, Athletic Director, Charleston County School District. “This program allows us to ensure the safety of our students while they are on the field, and helps us care for their injuries off.”

The CCSD/RSFH certified athletic trainers will offer:

• Compliance with the National Athletic Training Association and other medical associations to uphold a code of ethics and standards of care
• Consistent presence at practices and games
• Education for students, parents, coaches and the community on common sports injuries, including heat illnesses, proper hydration techniques and head/brain injury prevention and management (i.e., concussions)
• Focus on injury prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation

The nine CCSD High Schools participating in the program are: Baptist Hill; Burke; Garrett Academy of Technology; Lincoln; Norman C. Toole Military Magnet; North Charleston; St. John’s; Wando and Stall.

Safety Is a Team Sport
The RSFH athletic trainers will work closely with school athletic directors and parents to make sure student health is the priority. “Timing is of the essence when it comes to a potentially harmful injury,” said Robert Schoderbek, Jr., MD, a physician with Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “For example, a headache brought on by a hard block or tackle may be much more than that. Having a certified athletic trainer on site can truly make the difference between life and death.”

Spurlock agrees, “Our athletic trainers will also help us prevent illnesses by explaining symptoms, treatment options and ways to avoid common injuries. With the majority of football-related injuries involving brain trauma and concussions, the importance of the athletic trainer program is incredibly relevant and timely,” Spurlock said.

Touching Base with the Teams
Charleston County School District encourages parents to get involved. Parents will have the opportunity to meet CCSD athletic directors and athletic trainers and ask questions about how to keep their teen athletes healthy, the services offered through CCSD’s Safe Play for Sports and how the athletic trainers will work with the various sports teams at each school.

• WCIV ABC News 4 phone-a-thon call in. Roper St. Francis Healthcare sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers and CCSD athletic program representatives will be on a live on-air call-in panel on WCIV-TV, answering calls from the public, students, parents and coaches from around the Lowcountry about sports injuries, treatment and prevention on August 24 beginning at 8:30 pm. 
• CCSD Safe Play Sports Medicine night. Athletic directors, athletic trainers and RSFH sports medicine physicians will be on a panel to take questions from students and parents about preventing sports injuries. Refreshments will be provided.  Date upcoming.
• Sports injury clinics. The Roper St. Francis Sports Medicine program will offer sports injury clinics every Saturday throughout the 2011 football season, beginning August 19 after Sertoma. They will be at St Francis Hospital, East Wing Medical Offices, Suite 200 from 9-11a.m.

The RSFH Sports Medicine program provides a full range of services for sports injuries related to recreational, high school, collegiate and professional athletic performance for individuals and teams in all activities. For more information about the RSFH Sports Medicine program, visit the www.rsfh.com.

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