Latest news with #HeartofaChampionDay
Business Journals
01-06-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
More than 600 student-athletes screened for health and safety at free Heart of a Champion event in Winston-Salem
expand Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist hosted its annual Heart of a Champion Day in Winston Salem on May 17, offering free, comprehensive health screenings to over 600 local student-athletes. This collaborative event, featuring Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's primary care, orthopedic and heart teams, helped identify both orthopedic and cardiac conditions that could impact a student's ability to safely participate in sports, including rare but serious heart issues. The screenings offered students a thorough assessment, including musculoskeletal exams, heart checks, vision screenings and general medical evaluations — all in one visit. expand 'Prevention is everything when it comes to keeping young athletes healthy,' said Dr. Heath Thornton, medical director for the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Athletic Trainer outreach program. 'Heart of a Champion Day brings together the care and expertise that students need for a comprehensive pre-sports screening — all in one place. Whether it's a heart condition or a joint issue, these screenings give us a chance to catch concerns early and guide families toward the right next steps.' Heart of a Champion Day has become a significant annual initiative that reflects Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's dedication to the community, ensuring that student-athletes are not only ready for competition but also equipped with the knowledge to take charge of their health. This wellness event was made possible with the support of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist volunteers, including doctors, nurses, athletic trainers and other health care professionals. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is a pre-eminent academic learning health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and part of Advocate Health. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's two main components are an integrated clinical system with locations throughout the region and
Business Journals
01-05-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
Heart of a Champion Day celebrates 17 years of free health screenings for student athletes
High school athletes in the Greater Charlotte region will once again have access to free, comprehensive health screenings through Atrium Health's 'Heart of a Champion Day.' For more information on registration and for a list of participating schools, visit the Heart of a Champion Day registration page. Now in its 17th year, Heart of a Champion Day will be open to all rising ninth through 12th grade –student athletes attending participating schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Anson, Union, York, Stanly and Cabarrus County school systems. Many independent and charter schools are also invited to attend. expand While standard sports physicals cover basic requirements, they often miss the more serious underlying health conditions, particularly those related to the heart. 'We focus on what the basic sports physicals may miss,' says Dr. David Price, medical director for Atrium Health Sports Medicine and Special Events. 'A young athlete may feel perfectly fine, but we include a heart ECG screening, which may catch heart conditions that put the athletes' safety at risk during high-intensity activity. With ECGs interpreted by our specialists, we've identified many athletes over the years with conditions that could have had significant consequences if left undiagnosed.' Heart of a Champion Day isn't just about detecting potential heart conditions. It also helps identify musculoskeletal issues, vision and blood pressure concerns, and other conditions that could impact an athlete's performance. Price, who also serves as a sports medicine physician at the Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, says the best way to prevent an injury is to catch potential issues before they happen. 'By screening for orthopedic weaknesses or imbalances, we can help athletes avoid injuries that could potentially end their season,' he says. expand What's included in the free screening? Each student-athlete will receive a comprehensive medical evaluation, performed by sports medicine physicians, cardiologists, orthopedic specialists and other health care professionals. It is not meant to take the place of their yearly physical performed by the athlete's regular physician. The screening includes: Medical history review: Assessing personal information and family health history for risk factors. General sports screening: Meeting North and South Carolina's athletic participation requirements. Electrocardiogram (ECG): A heart screening to detect electrical activity abnormalities. Echocardiogram (ECHO), if needed: Additional testing if an ECG reveals concerns. Orthopedic screening: Evaluating musculoskeletal function to prevent injuries. Vision exam: Ensuring athletes have the visual clarity needed for peak performance. Hands-only CPR training: Teaching life-saving emergency response skills. Nutritional guidance: Providing expert advice from registered dieticians on fueling for performance and recovery. Mental health counselors: Available on-site if needed or requested by student-athlete Heart of a Champion Day event organizers have seen great success with this event, both for the athlete's long-term success, as well as the parent's peace of mind. 'This isn't just for the student's athletic performance, but also for their overall well-being,' says Price. 'These screenings provide valuable information that can help keep athletes in the game, performing at their highest level, and most importantly, staying safe.' Event details Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations: Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, 1237 Harding Place, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, 6050 W. Highway 74, Indian Trail, North Carolina 28079 Participation is completely free but pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is May 10. Heart of a Champion Day registration page. Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is an integrated, nonprofit health system with more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations.
