Wednesday, September 18, 2013

What's up with Nate

Since Jessica's been slacking on the blog, I'll take the chance to give an update on a few things I've been doing.  The sports medicine fellowship officially started on 1 Aug.  I see patients 2 days/wk at Ft. Belvoir, VA where the Army has built an absolutely beautiful, brand new hospital.  We have a really nice clinic on 3rd floor right between Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, and Physical Medicine & Rehab.  We see mostly active duty soldiers/airmen and dependents/retirees there.  One day/wk I'm at USUHS (the military medical school right next to Walter Reed NMMC in Bethesda) where we hear lectures from our faculty, do workshops for medical students, and work in the Human Performance Research Laboratory.  Two days/wk I'm in orthopedics clinic with one of about 8 civilian orthopades that I work with.  I really like all of these guys, fantastic training.  I also serve as team physician for all American University sports, Montgomery College sports, and also cover Good Counsel High School football.  I see injured athletes in all of their respective training rooms about 3 evenings/wk as well as provide sideline medical coverage at all kinds of games and events for the above, plus Special Olympics events, Marine Corps Marathon, Army 10-miler, and many other mass-participation sporting events.  I am one of 4 military fellows, and am by far the junior fellow (a Navy O-6, Army O-5, Army O-4, and me...lowly O-3 and the only Air Force fellow!).  So far I'm absolutely LOVING the fellowship.  We have so much fun and feel like I'm learning at an incredible rate...so retention is the limiting factor!

We went up to West Point for a couple days in mid August to do physicals for their incoming freshman intercollegiate athletes.  Here are a few photos from around campus...very scenic and historic if you've never been there.  They have cannons and artillery from about every war that's ever been fought.  

View of the Hudson River...
 Awesome statue of General Washington.  It's HUGE, even though photo doesn't do justice...

Mess hall....
 Playing golf with the other fellows and faculty...

Me on the sidelines of a Good Counsel High School football game.  GCHS is consistently ranked in the nation's top 10 high school football programs.

 In the locker room just about to head out to the field...
 One of my athletes' tore his ACL in the very first game...MRI below.
Pete (head athletic trainer) on left and our sideline medical station...

Away game at Calvert Hall High School...my team in white/gold

 On Labor Day I had the chance to go birding at Cape May, New Jersey. This is one of the most renowned birding locations in the country.

Best birds of the day were a Lesser Black-backed Gull (photo below taken with phone through my scope), White-rumped Sandpipers, and Seaside Sparrows.

Well that's all folks. Until next time...  -Nate

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you! I always love to see what you are up to. Man, you must be busy though! Love ya.

Nollie said...

We could have used you when Andy tore his Achilles' tendon while playing intramural basketball during business school. Sounds like you're doing amazing work. The West Point campus is gorgeous!

Kami said...

Nate! It was great to have a post from you! I am always so interested in what you're doing. Can't believe those high school teams have their own doctor. Sheesh! They must have a lot of money! So glad you're loving what you're doing!