The University of Central Florida Student Athletic Trainer’s Organization received a big check (both literally and figuratively) this February thanks to Orlando Orthopaedic Center (OOC).

Hosting a record crowd of more than 500 individuals for their 2010 6th Annual Cutting Edge Concepts in Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Seminar, OOC was able to donate $2,250, the largest check ever written from the seminar’s proceeds to the UCF group. Throughout the past six years, more than $18,000 has been donated back to UCF in an effort to help students experience the orthopaedic profession hands-on. “We are thrilled to continue our innovative seminar series while encouraging students as they prepare to shape the future of our industry and medicine in general,” says Bob Hammons, director of client services and sports medicine outreach coordinator for Orlando Orthpaedic Center.

Conference leaders and speakers will fly in from around the country to take part in the nationally recognized educational seminar. In addition to speaking on various orthopaedic and sports medicine issues ranging from advanced recovery therapies to state-of-the-art surgical procedures, proceeds from the day are donated back to the UCF student group in an effort to help students interested in the profession gain valuable hands-on experience with industry leaders today.

Representatives from the UCF Student Athletic Trainers Organization were joined by hundreds of physicians, physician assistants, certified athletic trainers, registered nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and other allied healthcare professionals.

“The students in this organization at UCF are the future of the athletic training profession, hands down. They are present day leaders and future coworkers; so we try to do everything we can to help them develop and gain the skills they need to be successful in our profession,” says Hammons. “The young minds at UCF and programs like theirs around the country, coupled with new technological advances in surgical and rehabilitation procedures, will continue to revolutionize the sports medicine profession for years to come.”

Article by Corey Gehrold