What it takes to care for more than 700 at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships

January 11, 2010 — 8:30 am

Reisman2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Medical Sponsor

As the official medical sponsor of the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane (Jan. 13-24), Group Health is providing medical care to approximately 700 elite athletes, coaches and officials who make the championships a reality.

Medical Directors:

Ed Reisman, MD, is a past competitive pairs figure skater who has volunteered many hours as the team doctor for U.S. Figure Skating at competitions around the world.

Alisa Hideg, MD, is a past amateur ice skater and hockey skater who also volunteered as a team doctor at the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

What does it take to be a medical sponsor? More than 70 providers

Group Health Providers

11 Physicians

1 Physician assistant

5 Medical residents

1 Medical student

5 Nurses

15 Physical therapists

3 Medical assistants

2 Medical venue coordinators

Community Providers

12 Athletic trainer students from Whitworth  College

2 Students from Eastern Washington   University

2 Athletic training coordinators

5 Chiropractors

6 Massage therapists

1 Orthopedic specialist (on-call)

1 Dentist (on-call)

On call 24/7

There is always one doctor, one trainer, one physical therapist and one student with their teacher waiting by the ice during the 18-hour daily skating schedule.

1,400 hours of medical staff time is required to ensure coverage at each venue and at the athletes’ hotel.

Supplies

Group Health is stocking approximately 2,000 supplies and medications, such as braces, wraps, bandages, creams, and more to cover the entire week of the skating championships.

Four medical venues

  • The Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena
  • Eagles Ice Arena
  • The Davenport Hotel
  • Group Health Riverfront Medical Center, located between the Arena and The Davenport Hotel (xrays/imaging for skaters; urgent care for skater’s families)

Expanding into the community

Whitworth University and Eastern Washington University (EWU)

Fourteen Whitworth University and EWU students will be working side by side with Group Health physicians and physical therapists for real-time experience during the skating championships. This real-time education is the culmination of a special class devoted to skating injuries at Whitworth College during the month of January.

Kids Program

At the first event of the competition, the Group Health Foundation is hosting 1,000 5th and 6th graders from seven area schools that serve a low-income population.  Many of these kids have never stepped foot into the Spokane Arena for any event.

Bookmark and Share

Leave a comment