PUBLIC HEALTH
Part of the team Physicians help protect athletes, foster health BY CRYSTAL CONDE Physi-
cians play a pivotal role in assessing students’ fitness for athletics and other ex- tracurricular activities and in helping Texas schools adopt effective health policies. Whether they’re on the sidelines at sports events, attending school health advisory council (SHAC) meetings, or ex- amining patients in clinic, physicians can dramatical- ly affect student health and well-being. For the past 15 years,
Stuart Rowe, MD, an Aus- tin pediatric cardiologist, volunteered his time to conduct free physicals of uninsured and underin- sured Austin Independent School District (AISD) stu- dents in athletics, band, and other school-sponsored extracurricular activities. The Travis County Medical Society (TCMS) hosts the annual event, which will include four evening clinics this year in April and May. Dr. Rowe examines the students’ cardiovascular system and reviews their cardiac history to identify any prob- lems that exercise might exacerbate. The most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, he says, is hyper- trophic cardiomyopathy.
“In past clinics, I have done follow-up evaluations of stu- dents who turned out to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Every year, about five students I see warrant additional evalua- tion. If at all possible, I try to see them in my office for the sake
of convenience and conti- nuity of care. I will refer them to another pediatric cardiologist if necessary,” Dr. Rowe said.
Middle school and high
Stephen Pont, MD, medical director of the Austin Independent School District student health services program, oversees clinics sponsored by the Travis County Medical Society that offer free student physical examinations.
school students attend clinics at the Toney Burger Activity Center in South Austin or the Delco Activ- ity Center in North Austin. TCMS Senior Director of Community and Govern- ment Relations Stephanie Triggs says about 100 phy- sicians volunteer annually to conduct physicals of un- insured students and those who don’t have access to a primary care physician. She says the school district’s athletics depart- ment “works with trainers and coaches at the schools to identify uninsured and underserved children who could benefit from these free physicals. They’re good about getting the word out so these students can take advantage of the opportunity.” Wesley Foreman, MD, an Austin pain medicine
physician, has volunteered to conduct free physicals at the event for the past five years. “Something as simple as a physical could keep some chil-
dren from participating in sports and other school activities. I volunteer as a way to give back and to ensure these kids can take part,” Dr. Foreman said. Ms. Triggs says physicians oversee specific examination sta- tions, which include ear, nose, and throat; orthopedics; heart
March 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 47
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TRAVIS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
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