In a power-play partnership between the Kansas Health Science Center–Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) and the Wichita Thunder, first- and second-year medical students are lacing up their learning skates and shadowing the team’s athletic trainer, Julia Phillips. The collaboration aims to expose medical students to diverse experiences beyond traditional clinical settings, providing valuable insights into health care and teamwork dynamics in professional sports.
Celebrating its 32nd season, the Wichita Thunder holds a significant place in the local community. KHSC– KansasCOM medical students gain access to shadow the Thunder by signing up for home games where they receive a firsthand look into the daily activities of professional athletes. They observe training sessions, the physical demands of hockey, and the critical role of injury prevention. Additionally, students learn about sports medicine protocols and the collaborative efforts of medical professionals within the team, drawing parallels between teamwork in sports and health care.
OMS I Brayden Martinez assists in aligning the hips of a Wichita Thunder hockey player under the guidance of trainer Julia Phillips.
James Joseph Jr., MD, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and faculty advisor for the KansasCOM Student American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine Club, volunteers to fill the gap whenever the Thunder needs a doctor, highlighting the community importance of this partnership. Formerly in private orthopedic practice, Dr. Joseph’s commitment displays the practical impact of collaboration, underlining dedication to community well-being.
Reflecting on the experience, first-year medical student Brayden Martinez expresses admiration for Phillips’ personal connections with each player, highlighting the chance physicians have to enhance athletes’ performances.
First-year student Samantha Sabour acknowledges the unique exposure to sports medicine and emergency medicine, emphasizing the value of such opportunities in shaping future career choices.
“It’s cool that we have this opportunity that KansasCOM puts something on like this for us and that we have faculty members and professors who have these connections that we can benefit from,” Sabour says.
First-year students Brayden Martinez and Samantha Sabour attentively observe a Wichita Thunder hockey game. The Thunder athletic trainer emphasized the importance of firsthand injury observation for effective treatment.
The shadowing experience underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in health care, especially with respect to physical fitness, injury prevention, and rehabilitation along with the role of mental resilience and teamwork. These lessons resonate with the core principles of osteopathic medicine.
As these medical students progress in their education, diverse experiential learning opportunities are expected to shape their perspectives on medicine, influencing their future practices as physicians.
Julia Phillips, the Wichita Thunder’s athletic trainer, discusses rehabilitation protocols and injury prevention strategies while administering a forearm massage to a professional athlete of the Thunder hockey team.
“The students are very inquisitive and eager to learn,” Phillips says. “We exchanged knowledge about professions and engaged in real-life scenarios. They have been a pleasure to mentor.”
Offering advice to the students, Phillips says, “Keep an open mind and take up as much info as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and use your resources. Work hard and be a kind person. The greatest success with a patient is trust and being able to help them in their suffering. Listening and compassion are top skills for being successful.”
KHSC–KansasCOM’s collaboration with the Wichita Thunder provides an invaluable learning opportunity for the shadowing medical students, enriching their understanding of health care in the context of professional sports. KHSC–KansasCOM extends gratitude to the Thunder team and staff for their openness to a continuing partnership.