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The founders represent a strong partnership between local physicians,
athletic trainers, and community leaders.
Participation in athletics by kids is at an all time high and with
this active lifestyle comes the unfortunate side effect of injury.
Many of the school age athletes in the area come from families
unable to obtain health insurance and do not qualify for the
government assistance because the parents do have jobs and their
earnings exceed the economic threshold for assistance. There
is no mechanism for these student athletes to be cared for. It
is unreasonable to penalize the student athletes and ask them to go
without medical care which could limit their ability to becoming
functioning adults.
The hallmark of the Foundation is that there will be no professional
fees will be paid. Physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists,
athletic trainers, and physical therapist will not receive payment
for their work. While the
services of these medical professionals are donated, funds will be
needs to be obtained to help defray the hard cost of the surgical
supplies and other non reusable equipment.
The Fort Worth Sports Medicine Foundation also operates free
Saturday morning clinics in the fall and Wednesday night clinics in
the spring where x-ray and bracing supplies are used. The
third purpose of the foundation is to provide free continuing
education to the area athletic trainers through workshops by
obtaining quality speakers.
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