JU hosts Spine Board Training for trainers, physicians

Jacksonville University recently hosted more than 100 Certified Athletic Trainers, Physicians and EMS Providers from throughout Northeast Floridia and Southeast Georgia for The Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program’s spine board and airway management training.

The event in Gooding Auditorium featured special guest and Doctor of Physical Therapy Mike Kordecki. The principal owner of Praxis, a physical therapy firm in Vernon Hills, Ill., he invented RipKord shoulder pad technology, which was first used by the Chicago Bears in 2011.

The training session served to review spine boarding and airway management of the injured athlete as well as discuss brachial plexus injuries. Representatives from Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Flagler and Nassau counties in Florida and Camden County in Georgia attended.  They participated in practical hands-on sessions and were trained by local EMS professionals.

The EMS professionals represented the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Dept., Century Ambulance, Liberty Ambulance & St. Vincent’s Ambulance Service, all of which provide game-day services to our local schools.

“Our goal is to have our sideline medical providers all prepared to work as a team in the event of any injury that might occur on our area athletic fields.” said Robert Sefcik, executive director of the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program and organizer of event.  “It was a great showing of support from those schools who are putting a high priority on the safety of their students that participate in athletic programs.” 

The event brought 3 hours of CME Credit for the participants as well as earning them a special recognition patch from the JSMP. Additional information can be found at www.JSMP.us.