Fall weekends are a bit busier for Teresa Doerre, MD, an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. Along with colleagues and residents from the George Washington University (GW) Medical Faculty Associates, Doerre spends many of her autumn Friday nights and Saturday afternoons watching members of District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) varsity football teams compete on the gridiron. As the clinical coordinator for the DCPS varsity football season, Doerre and her colleagues suit-up on the sidelines as the official medical team, ready to jump into action in the event of an injury.
The partnership between GW and DCPS was forged last year, as the players were preparing for a busy and competitive 2024 season. State regulations require varsity football teams to field a medical team for home games. After reviewing the needs of DCPS and many logistical discussions, GW signed up for the job. Doerre credits Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Robert Sterling, MD, for his support and insight that helped bring this partnership to fruition. The squad of orthopaedic surgery and emergency medicine faculty members and residents team up to cover more than 70 games each season.
“Being on the sidelines in DC, supporting local athletes alongside my fellow doctors from GW, is a lot fun and a great opportunity for our residents to get experience doing sideline physician work. They learn how to take care of athletes, work as a team with other sports medicine professionals, and get to work directly in the community,” said Doerre.
Providing sideline coverage for the games is not just about acute injury management, according to Doerre. The GW team helps coordinate injury care and follow-ups for the athletes each week after gamedays.
“We provide continuity of care for the athletes and work with the DCPS athletic training staff to treat student athletes and help them return to play as safely and quickly as possible,” Doerre explains. “We have had a great experience working with the players and their families and the football partnership has turned into an access point in the GW system for athletes and their families seeking orthopedic care.”
The season, which runs through early December and culminates with the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) Championships, is packed with competitive play, high school rivalries, and, thankfully, not too many major injuries. When players do get hurt, however, the GW team is there to coordinate with the school athletic trainers and get the players the care they needed.
“This partnership with the skilled providers of GW’s orthopedic and emergency medicine departments is critical to keeping DC Public Schools’ DCIAA student-athletes safe at varsity football games,” said DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee, EdD. “And the medical team isn’t just supporting from the sidelines during game play; they also ensure follow-up care off the field. That means our athletes have the best chance of remaining in a healthy playing status all season long.”
GW Orthopedic Surgery Department Athletic Trainer Katie Palazzo, ATC, arranges follow-up for athletes, and communicates treatment plans directly with the DCPS athletic trainers. This year, two GW physical therapists, Polo Edwards, DPT, and Callie Cabral, DPT, cracked the starting lineup, volunteering to help treat athletes on the sideline as well as lead efforts to educate the certified athletic trainers (ATCs) and coaching staff on return-to-play progressions for injured athletes. The departmental collaborations are proof GW is ready and able to step up on game day for the players, coaches, athletic trainers, and for the entire DCIAA conference.
“This partnership highlights how GW Medicine is an important thread in the fabric of the community. Whether we are providing consultation and care on the sidelines of the football field or giving care within our clinics, the GW orthopedic surgery team is committed to preserving the health of these young athletes, as well as the health of all within our community,” said Robert Sterling, MD, chair of orthopeadic surgery and Dr. John P. Adams Research Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Since the inaugural season in 2024, both GW and DCPS worked hard to establish and fine tune the operations. The open lines of communication and feedback have helped the GW medical team start new initiatives to educate coaches and athletic trainers, streamline injury assessment, and coordinate all aspects of care and physical therapy for athletes. Both organizations are proud of the outcomes and are looking forward to another fun and successful season.
