ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Sports Medicine

Zander, an aspiring college football player, first crossed paths with Nemours Children’s Health after suffering a game-related injury. As luck would have it, Dr. Julia Fink, Nemours’ orthopedic specialist, was the team doctor on the field. After the game, Dr. Fink brought him in for an X-ray and MRI, setting the course for his recovery. The injury turned out to be an acromioclavicular joint separation (AC joint separation), which worsened during the state football championship game. Zander’s team went on to win the game, but his shoulder pain lingered, especially with throwing, even after physical therapy. To resolve the issue, Dr. Fink performed an AC joint reconstruction. Following surgery, Zander was in a sling for six weeks and underwent three months of physical therapy. By May, he was able to start his throwing program, and by August, he was ready to kick off the football season, stronger than ever. From […]

For elite gymnast Maddy, the journey to greatness wasn’t without its hurdles. But with determination and the expert care at Nemours Children’s Health, Maddy is back on her feet, ready to conquer the mat once again. Maddy’s athletic career took an unexpected turn on January 25, 2023, during a routine practice session at Temple University. A gymnast on the collegiate team, she faced a setback that would challenge her both physically and mentally—a ruptured Achilles tendon. Before receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s, Maddy experienced the full weight of her injury. “I was unable to walk, move my foot in any direction, and do everyday activities like go to class,” she recalls. “I was also in an abundance of pain every day that led to many mental breakdowns.” Having received treatment from Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville for years growing up, she knew she would get exceptional care for her new injury. […]

In the world of sports, injuries are often seen as setbacks, hurdles that athletes must overcome to get back to doing what they love. For Jarnum, a 15-year-old elite soccer player, a left knee lateral meniscus tear threatened to impact his game. Jarnum is the youngest player in a semi-professional USL2 academy league for Swan City Soccer Club in Lakeland. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to score a goal in the USL2, helping his team secure their sole victory of the season. Unfortunately, it was during his time with this team that Jarnum sustained his injury. While engaged in a defensive play, he collided with another player, resulting in the tear to his left knee. Jarnum’s mother, Authrine, recalls the moment when their journey with Nemours began. “Dr. Julia Fink could tell that it was a meniscus tear right away,” she says. “But she wanted […]

Nemours Children’s Health takes pride in spotlighting the remarkable individuals who go beyond their roles as physicians. Dr. Sarah R. Gibson, a Pediatric Sports Medicine Physician in the Department of Orthopedics at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida exemplifies this dedication not only through her expertise but also through her hobbies outside of medicine. Dr. Gibson’s journey to becoming a physician was shaped by a blend of passions and interests. “I always had an interest in medicine,” says Dr. Gibson, “Particularly human health and physiology, but I had a lot of other varied interests as well. I enjoyed playing sports and I also had an interest in sports journalism. Prior to medical school, I would spend my winters taking premed classes and my summers dabbling in sports journalism. I was on the Kentucky Derby staff, helping run the media center during Derby week, helping ABC Sports and NBC Sports with coverage of […]

Sports medicine and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alvin Su‘s journey to Nemours Children’s Health was paved with a passion for patient care. He was drawn to our hospital in Delaware and New Jersey by the collaborative spirit among the orthopedic team. “The orthopedic group at Nemours works as a team,” says Dr. Su. “We support each other very well. This is huge for patient care, and for long-term career development and physician wellness. We can take good care of our patients, and ourselves. Plus, Nemours is a true academic institution that supports scientific research, which is instrumental to future improvement of clinical care.” This effort from the orthopedics team allows surgeons like Dr. Su to prioritize what truly matters – doing the right thing for their patients. Outside his work at the hospital, Dr. Su pursues a variety of interests and hobbies. A dedicated martial artist with a black belt […]

In celebration of National Women Physicians Day, Nemours Children’s Health highlights Dr. Stephanie Pearce, the Director of Sports Medicine in Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. Dr. Pearce’s decision to pursue a career in sports orthopedic surgery stemmed from her love for the musculoskeletal system, her enjoyment of working with her hands, and her passion for helping athletes achieve peak performance. For her, sports medicine combines these elements in a way that doesn’t feel like work – it’s a labor of love. Joining Nemours Children’s was a serendipitous journey for Dr. Pearce. Her good friend, Dr. Anna Rambo, informed her of the Director of Sports Medicine opening at Nemours. The opportunity to lead and grow a sports program, contribute to sports research, collaborate with close friends, and return to her home state of Florida made it an offer too good to resist. Working with her team […]