Inova’s Partnership with Great Falls Lacrosse and Field Hockey Association Provides Comprehensive Care for Youth Athletes
Washington DC – January 25, 2016 – A newly formed relationship between Inova Sports Medicine and the Great Falls Lacrosse and Field Hockey Association (GFLA) aims to provide personalized, comprehensive care within the community. GFLA is a youth organization in the Northern Virginia area for athletes from age 4 through high school. The program aims to provide a positive, fun and safe environment in which to teach lacrosse and field hockey skills, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. A comprehensive network of board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine experts make up a dynamic team of providers and services within the expanded Inova Sports Medicine program. The partnership makes information and services more easily accessible through innovative education, consultation and treatment, health services, concussion management as well as performance training.
Inova has been consistently recognized nationally as a top performing health system and serves as the official medical provider for the Washington Nationals and but is excited about the opportunity to positively impact athletes and families participating at youth sports level as well. With an innovative team of medical professionals, the partnership ensures each member of the GFLA community has convenient access to the high-level injury prevention, treatment and world-class resources professional athletes are accustomed to.
“We are excited about our partnership with Inova Sports Medicine and look forward to providing our players and parents with the latest information about sports injuries, their prevention and care,” says Commissioner Jeff Grimson of GFLA.
The relationship with Inova grants GFLA priority access to Inova’s one-stop-shop model for sports medicine care and exemplifies GFLA’s commitment to provide opportunities to its athletes both on and off the field. Inova opened its second innovative sports medicine clinic in the summer of 2015 that includes sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians, concussion management services, X-ray, casting splinting and bracing services, ultrasound-guided diagnosis and treatment, physical therapy and athletic training services all under one roof. Inova’s cutting edge sports medicine facilities provide the highest level of service while limiting the hassle and stress often associated with care after injury. The benefits of an all-in-one model include increased efficiency and improved communication between every member of the care team.
Together with priority access to services, education will be at the forefront of the relationship between Inova Sports Medicine and GFLA. Individualized presentations and other educational opportunities will be tailored to GFLA throughout the year in an effort to keep coaches, parents and athletes current within the ever developing world of sports medicine, concussion management, nutrition, injury prevention, and athletic conditioning. Commissioner Grimson: “Sports injuries in our youth are becoming more common. Knowing that we are equipping our coaches, parents, and players with the most current protocols to ensure player safety and injury prevention is a big step towards providing one of the best lacrosse and field hockey programs in the area.”
Head injuries and concussions are an incredibly hot topic in the athletic community. Virginia’s state and local concussion laws are centered on yearly education of athletes, parents, and coaches and the team of concussion specialists within Inova Sports Medicine will be assisting GFLA with this education and compliance. Along with education, pre-injury assessment is vital for the most positive outcomes when managing concussions and Inova Sports Medicine will be offering baseline concussion testing for GFLA players as a way to better manage athletes suspected of having a concussion. GFLA families and coaches will also be given digital access to personalized concussion education presentations and other reference materials based on the latest research in the field. Additionally, Inova Sports Medicine will have a dedicated concussion hotline available to answer questions, provide information and assist with scheduling concussion appointments at the time of injury.
“We are focused on providing a positive athletic experience within our community both on and off the field. Providing the highest-level of integrative care after injury is important part of this relationship. However, we also understand the value in providing families with accurate and relevant education before the injury even occurs as well,” said Dr. Robin West, Medical Director of Inova Sports Medicine. “We are excited to be part of innovative collaborations like this and look forward to building a strong relationship in the Great Falls lacrosse and field hockey communities.”
For more information about the Inova-Great Falls Lacrosse and Field Hockey relationship, please contact Chris Young, Inova Director of Athletic Training Services and Outreach, at 703-970-6463. Further information about Inova Sports Medicine can be found at www.inova.org/sportsmedicine. Orthopaedic appointments can be scheduled by contacting 703-970-6464. Inova Sports Medicine’s concussion hotline can be reached at 703-970-6427.
Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org
About Great Falls Lacrosse and Field Hockey Association
For twenty years, the Great Falls Lacrosse and Field Hockey Association (GFLA) has provided thousands of boys and girls with the chance to pick up their first lacrosse or field hockey stick and experience the joy of playing an organized team sport with friends and classmates from the local community. GFLA’s partnerships with the Positive Coaching Alliance and now Inova Sports Medicine demonstrate its commitment to a fun, positive and safe youth sports experience. For further information about GFLA please visit www.greatfallslacrosse.com.