Old Dominion University (ODU) and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) have joined forces to provide sports physicals to student athletes. Bonnie Van Lunen, PhD, Dean of the College of Health Sciences at ODU, recognized the need to streamline the process of providing pre-participation physicals to ODU's student athletes since previous partnerships had been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scott Johnson, Associate Athletic Director for Sports, played a pivotal role in bringing this partnership to fruition, collaborating closely with Greg Bentz, MD, Program Director of the EVMS Sports Medicine Fellowship. Johnson encapsulated the essence of the partnership, saying, "It's a win-win-win."
This multifaceted initiative not only ensures that student-athletes receive the necessary medical evaluations but also serves as an invaluable training ground for athletic training students and EVMS students and residents. Student interns, under careful supervision, perform vital sign assessments, while EVMS doctors conduct the physical examinations.
Ronnie Fayad, DO, a sports medicine resident at EVMS, expressed the unique nature of this experience: "I've done physicals before, but in an office. I wanted to experience coming to a school and doing physicals for student-athletes." This hands-on approach benefits both the students and the medical professionals involved.
For ODU students, having the convenience of on-campus physicals is a significant advantage, particularly for international students who may face additional challenges accessing local healthcare services. Anna Tørsløv, an ODU student, emphasized the convenience factor, stating, "It's nice for athletes to come here instead of figuring it out on their own over the summer."
The partnership between ODU and EVMS underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to the well-being and education of their students. This collaboration not only provides convenience for student-athletes but also offers valuable training opportunities, making it a win-win-win for all involved, demonstrating the tangible benefits of such cooperative efforts.
