July 28, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Sports Medicine Center earned the “Greatest Impact” award from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) for its efforts in promoting the profession of athletic training during the month of March, National Athletic Training Month. The national award is presented by the NATA PR Council and is the highest award given for public relations.

The USC Sports Medicine Center serves the specialized health care needs of athletes at all levels of competition, as well as providing diagnostic, treatment and preventive services to anyone involved in sports or recreation. A collaborative effort between the USC Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, the Center provides health care for all University of South Carolina student-athletes under the direction of athletics department medical director Dr. Jeffrey Guy.

The group’s public relations effort in March included an ad that ran daily on 107.5 The Game, reaching approximately 160,000 listeners in 16 South Carolina counties during the month, a public address announcement at South Carolina home baseball games, radio interviews, a magazine article, logos added to all outgoing emails and recognition during the monthly injury report. Participants in the promotions were John Kasik, MS, ATC, Cped, South Carolina director of sports medicine; Brainard Cooper III, MS, ATC, South Carolina associate athletic trainer; Jennifer Herod, MPH, ATC, South Carolina assistant athletic trainer; Chris Emrick, ATC, USC Sports Medicine Center assistant athletic trainer; and Kevin Herod, MS, ATC, USC Sports Medicine Athletic Training Coordinator.

Click here for more information about the USC Sports Medicine Center.