The Distinguished Lecture Series in Sports Medicine of Hope College will examine "Current Trends in Sports Medicine for Athletes with Disabilities" on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. at Mary Free Bed Hospital, 235 Wealthy, S.E., in Grand Rapids.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The address will be presented by Dr. Michael Ferrara of the University of Georgia. According to Ferrara, with sport opportunities increasing for people with disabilities, solid statistical information is needed to help minimize injury. He feels that research to date has been limited in usefulness because it has been based on specific sports, limited periods of time or relatively small populations, and that more comprehensive data and more standardized data collection would be beneficial.
Ferrara is the director of the athletic training education program at the University of Georgia. Ferrara currently serves on the International Paralympic Committee's Sport Science Committee as the expert in sport medicine issues for athletes with disabilities. He is also chair of the World Federation of Athletic Training for the National Athletic Trainers Association.
Ferrara was director of medical operations for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games and served as medical coordinator for the U.S. medical team for the 1994 World Athletic Championships and the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games. He also was the athletic trainer for the 1990 World Games, 1987 Pan American Games, 1985 Olympic Festival, 1983 World University Games and the 1982 National Sports Festival.
The Distinguished Lecture Series in Sports Medicine is designed for health care professionals with an interest in physically active patients, and is intended for students, educators and clinicians alike. It is co- sponsored by Holland Community Hospital, GRSportsCenter and the college.