GUMC Experts Offer Commentary on Olympics-related Medical Stories
Posted in News Release
WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 2014) -– Georgetown University Medical Center physicians and researchers are available to answer questions about medical topics related to athletes competing in the 2014 Olympic Games. Areas of expertise include performance anxiety, competitive stress, orthopedic injuries, cardiac performance, sports-related eating disorders and water intoxication during endurance sports.
Former Olympian and exercise physiologist Bryan Kim, PhD, focuses his research on promoting healthy, active lifestyles among at-risk minority populations and on implementing cancer prevention exercise interventions. assistant professor of oncology at GUMC. Kim is a three-time former Olympic swimmer for South Korea (1996, 2000, 2004) with a best place finish of 20th in the 400 meter individual medley at the 2004 Games.
Orthopedic surgeon Wiliam Postma, MD, specializes in sports medicine with an emphasis on knee ligamentous reconstruction, shoulder arthroscopy and hip arthroscopy. Postma is an assistant professor of orthopedics at Georgetown University School of Medicine and serves as associate orthopedic surgeon for Georgetown University athletics. Read more about William Postma.
Cardiologist Allen J. Taylor, MD, can address fitness and cardiac performance, including adaptations to various forms of exercise. His reminder is you don’t have to be an Olympian to gain the benefits of exercise, but the Olympics are a great opportunity to extol the virtues of exercise and fitness. Taylor is a professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and chief of cardiology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Read more about Allen Taylor.
Psychiatrist Judith R.F. Kupersmith, MD, has devoted her 40-year career to helping performers and athletes triumph over the stresses, trials and tribulations that can accompany performances and competitions. Kupersmith says barriers that may seem trivial to non-performers can interfere tremendously with a performance or competition. Performance-related obstacles include paralyzing anxiety, eating disorders or career-ending injuries. Kupersmith is professor of clinical psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Read more about Judith Kupersmith.
Internist Joseph Verbalis, MD, is an expert on exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH), or water intoxication, which can cause death during endurance events. Verbalis is part of an expert group charged with understanding the biological basis of EAH to reduce athletes’ risk of death. Verbalis is vice-chairman of the department of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Read more about Joseph Verbalis.
To arrange an interview contact Karen Teber by email at km463@georgetown.edu or by phone at 215-514-9751. Television interviews are available via Georgetown’s broadcast center.
About Georgetown University Medical Center
Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) is an internationally recognized academic medical center with a three-part mission of research, teaching and patient care (through MedStar Health). GUMC’s mission is carried out with a strong emphasis on public service and a dedication to the Catholic, Jesuit principle of cura personalis — or “care of the whole person.” The Medical Center includes the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing & Health Studies, both nationally ranked; Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute; and the Biomedical Graduate Research Organization, which accounts for the majority of externally funded research at GUMC including a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health.
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