PARK CITY, Utah (May 30) – Renowned surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman of the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo., who has been involved in medical reatment for U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team athletes for more than two decades, will head a newly formed USSA Physician Committee, which will formalize the medical care and treatment of USSA athletes.
The committee will oversee the management of medical care by recommendations made to the medical program regarding policy and procedures governing care of USSA athletes, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced. The committee includes doctors, who have volunteered their service to the various teams for years.
About 140 physicians have been involved with providing camp and event coverage of the alpine, freestyle, nordic and snowboard teams over the years. The Committee will oversee management of this Pool of Physicians from across the nation according to USSA Medical Director Melinda Roalstad, who announced formation of the committee.
Steadman is recognized internationally for his work in restoring athletes who have been injured. Although he has been U.S. Ski Team surgeon, he has operated on many European athletes, including five-time World Cup ski champion and multiple Olympic and World Championships medalist Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg.
‘We’ve had informal agreements with our team doctors and forming the Physician Committee helps us centralize and make it more professional as well as creating a more efficient system to provide better management of medical care to USSA athletes’ Roalstad said. Named to the committee:
- Chairman and chief physician – Dr.Richard Steadman Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, Vail, Colo.)
- Men’s Alpine Team – Dr. Terry Orr (Tahoe Fracture&Orthopedic Clinic, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.)
- Women’s Alpine Team – Dr. William Sterett (Steadman-Hawkins Clinic,Vail, Colo.)
- Alpine Development Team – Dr. Vern Cooley (The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, Salt Lake City)
- Cross Country Team – Dr. Jay Butcher (St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic, Duluth, Minn.)
- Freestyle Team – Dr. John Pak (Front Range Orthopedics, Colorado Springs, Colo.)
- Nordic Combined Team – Dr. Bryan Bomberg (Steamboat Orthopedics, Steamboat Springs, Colo.)
- Snowboard Team – Dr. Charles Beck (The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, Salt Lake City)
- Women’s Issues – Dr. Trish Palmer (University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City)
Roalstad said three other positions will be appointed by the end of the summer – for the ski jumping team, neurology and spine care issues.
‘With more than 150 athletes on our various teams, USSA has a wide variety of medical needs,’ she said. ‘The Physician Committee helps us have a tighter and more professional organization in dealing with any scenario. It also should enhance our relationship with the U.S. Olympic Committee, which is so important for USSA.’
For further information:
U.S. Ski Team News Bureau – http://www.usskiteam.com