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About Us |
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Team
HEAL Aims To Protect The |
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Spearheading Team HEAL is Founder, Clarence L. Shields, Jr. M.D. of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. Shields brings over two decades of distinguished excellence in sports medicine, including private practice and serving as medical consultant to the L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Kings, L.A. Lakers, and the St. Louis Rams. People of all ages who participate in an active life style rely on the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Team HEAL provides world class medical care, injury prevention services, fitness instruction and nutrition education through a program that is financially and physically accessible to young inner city athletes. Made up of dedicated doctors, trainers, student
athletes, and donors, Team HEAL truly is a team effort with caring people
who take an active interest in the well-being of student athletes. The
mission of Team HEAL is to bring medical advice and treatment to more
than 1,600 kids at inner-city high schools. In doing so, Team HEAL has
been successful at doing so much more. Initially, Team HEAL established itself at Dorsey and Crenshaw High Schools, a natural arena, as this is where many of the kids have access to sports programs. In September 1999, through the growing commitment of supporters, Team HEAL expanded to Manual Arts High School and is preparing to be on-site at Washington High School. The focus of Team HEAL is not to augment
existing programs at schools, but rather to make high quality medical
services accessible. While school personnel have welcomed and lauded Team
HEAL, the program is philanthropically funded and does not benefit from
public assistance. Participation in athletics is often the door to an extended world for kids residing in the inner city. Whether dreaming of advancing individual skills into opportunities provided by a college education, setting sights on a career in professional sports, or simply enjoying sports for its own sake, kids learn valuable lessons about individual responsibility, discipline, and self-esteem through sports participation. Unfortunately, our youth are at risk for injury just like any other competitor. However, these young athletes of the inner city face an added risk factor: accessibility to appropriate medical services. In a matter of moments, an injury can shut the door of promise these talented and dedicated kids strive so hard to open. Unlike students who compete for high schools in relatively tax rich school districts, most L.A. inner city student athletes lack either adequate insurance or family financial resources necessary to deal with prolonged care and rehabilitation that successful treatment of an orthopedic injury likely involves.
The loss is equally all of ours. The prolific plans these kids have for the future often go unfulfilled. How many lives would their lives have touched in a positive and responsible way? The inability to overcome an injury becomes an obstacle not only to the kid, but to all of us. Equally as disconcerting is the potential for a lifetime of persistent and painful orthopedic problems they likely face. Team HEAL draws on the established excellence and resources of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and Healthsouth Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center to deliver high quality services to inner city athletes. Since the inception of Team HEAL, results have been incredible. On-site trainers are actively involved in all phases of the school athletic programs. Relatively few kids have sustained major injuries due to proper conditioning, fitness training, and injury management. This is all made possible by Team HEAL. Before Team HEAL, medical care for an injured
kid, even if minor, often resulted in serious physical and social consequences.
Fortunately, Team HEAL's commitment enables these tragedies to be averted. As members of a greater community, Team HEAL believes we are natural partners for this program. What these young athletes devote themselves to accomplishing is inspirational. Their goals, spirit, and determination is at the heart of Team HEAL. Athletics, whether played on the campus of our schools or on the playgrounds of our community, have a positive impact on all young people. Our mission is to protect their health. These students and athletes' dedication personifies
the ideals of what is best about our community and about each of us.
Team HEAL Making A Difference One Kid At A Time.
For further information,
please contact: |
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Why is this so significant? By participating in sports, these kids
are influenced by the positive results of team work, the joy of competition,
and building of self-confidence. They embrace a sense of responsibility,
due in large part to positive interaction with compassionate, committed
individuals who take an active interest in their well-being. The benefits
aren't restricted only on the field of competition. In addition to
providing medical treatment and athletic trainers, Team HEAL's coaches
and mentors have been successful in efforts to encourage student athletes
to stay in school.
A
recommendation to see the family doctor after incurring an injury has
no practical meaning for these kids. Most have no doctor, let alone have
access to an orthopedic specialist. A trip to an emergency room and a
plaster cast may be the sole extent of any treatment received. The results
are predictable and tragic. Not only do kids miss out on the opportunity
to play and be part of a rewarding experience, but hopes for the future
suddenly evaporate. But the loss is not limited to the kids.