Emergency Care Course names 2018 award recipients

Ascension Parish School Board and surgeon David Rabalais take top honors at day dedicated to emergency care in athletics

BATON ROUGE – This intensive emergency care in athletics course welcomed 184 attendees and was co-hosted by Southern University and Louisiana State University School of Kinesiology. The course took place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Tiger Stadium’s South Stadium Club on July 7, 2018.

In addition to continuing education, the annual event honors practitioners with two awards. The Ascension Parish School Board received this year’s Gales Quality of Life Award.  This award is presented to a deserving person or organization for dedicated service and outstanding contributions by improving quality of life through health and safety of student-athletes.  The steps that the Ascension Parish School Board has taken in recent years to expand its comprehensive sports health care demonstrates leadership in Louisiana and the region in investing in the health and safety of student athletes.

David Rabalais, an orthopaedic surgeon with Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic, was the 2018 recipient of the Courson Cares Award (award named for Ron Courson, director of sports medicine for the University of Georgia). Dr. Rabalais completed his residency at LSU Department of Orthopaedics in New Orleans and a fellowship with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery. He is a team physician for Southern University, Zachary High School, and Central High School. With numerous professional presentations and publications, Dr. Rabalais was also the recipient of the Harry D. Morris resident Research Award in 2005 and named "Top Forty Under 40" in 2010 by Baton Rouge Business Report.

The goal of this course is to improve communication and develop consistent care protocols throughout the patient care process (pre-hospital through hospital care) and to reinforce the role of the physician in leading an interdisciplinary approach to pre-hospital trauma care of the injured athlete. This annual course brings together athletic trainers, physicians, and emergency service providers to integrate the best care protocols and techniques. Former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle, Zach Strief delivered the keynote. Strief was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and retired in March 2018. He played in 158 games and started 94 during his career for the Saints.

The Emergency Care Course was developed in response to Southern University football player Devon Gales’ cervical spine injury. Gales suffered from a spinal injury during a game in early fall 2015 at the University of Georgia. Gales attended the course and delivered an address as well.

This course is a collaborative emergency medicine course created to improve inter-professional skills and communication for the prehospital care of athletes at all levels of participation. This intensive evidence-based medicine course included both classroom and laboratory components.

Southern University and LSU extend appreciation and thanks to their presenting partners for this course: Acadian Ambulance Service, AG Administrators Sports Insurance Specialists, Baton Rouge General, BROC Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic, FDL Group, Louisiana National Guard, NOEH New Orleans East Hospital, Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute, Southern University, SWAC, TAF Tiger Athletic Foundation, Z-Medica; and our lecture partner: Henry Scein Inc.; team partners: Chick-fil-A and Mississippi sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center. The Emergency Care in Athletics Course is provided free to all participants through the generous contributions from organizations and individuals. 

 

About SOK
The LSU School of Kinesiology (SOK) advances the understanding of physical activity, sport, and health to optimize the quality of life for diverse populations through excellence in teaching, learning, discovery, and engagement. SOK offers a BS, MS, Online MS, PhD, and two certificate options. Graduates go on to successful careers in the health and fitness industry, corporate wellness, sport agencies and businesses, athletic administration, and K-12 educational settings. SOK is part of the College of Human Sciences & Education.  

Visit the School of Kinesiology at lsu.edu/chse/kinesiology.

 

About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, the School of Library & Information Science, the School of Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8 undergraduate degree programs, 18 graduate programs, and 7 online graduate degree and/or certificate programs, enrolling more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,120 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is committed to improving quality of life across the lifespan.

Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education at lsu.edu/chse.