Head athletic trainer Gary Vitti spends much of his time taking care of myriad things for the Lakers, but that's not the extent of his services in his field.
In fact, Vitti has been involved with Team HEAL (Helping Enrich Athlete's Lives) since the mid 1980's, helping the foundation towards its mission of bringing "comprehensive injury prevention, medical care, athletic training, healthcare awareness, mentoring and acaemic support to high school athletes in underserved communities."
On September 10, Team HEAL will host its "7th Annual Afternoon of Jazz Fundraiser” at the Wilshire Country Club from 2-7:00 p.m. in order to celebrate the achievements of high school scholar athletes. Vitti will be the recipient of the "Local Hero Award," set to honor him for his help towards placing full-time Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC's) to treat and rehabilitate injured student athletes.
"Appropriate medical care goes beyond having a physician and an ambulance at a game," said Vitti. "There's a lot more practice time than games, and of an estimated seven million high school athletes, only 42% have access to a certified athletic trainer. One in six adolescents that participate in high school sports will sustain a sports related injury, while one in every 100,000 will sustain a catastrophic injury. Team HEAL is doing its part but we have a long way to go."
According to Vitti, program services include: pre-season sports physicals by volunteer physicians, sports medicine classes taught by (ATC’s) at participating schools; and scholarships given to deserving students. The program currently offers assistance to Banning, Carson, Crenshaw and Manual Arts high schools.
"I've been involved with trying to get athletic trainers in high schools for so long that it means a great deal to me that (Medical Director) Dr. (Clarence L.) Shields thought enough of the concept to create this magnificent foundation," said Vitti. "Just as we have a responsibility to have coaches, facilities and equipment, we have a responsibility to provide care for these young athletes."
Those interested in supporting the cause can attend Team HEAL's jazz fundraiser, make a financial donation, an auction donation or "simply spread the word by word of mouth to people they know that may interested in this cause," as Vitti concluded.
In fact, Vitti has been involved with Team HEAL (Helping Enrich Athlete's Lives) since the mid 1980's, helping the foundation towards its mission of bringing "comprehensive injury prevention, medical care, athletic training, healthcare awareness, mentoring and acaemic support to high school athletes in underserved communities."
On September 10, Team HEAL will host its "7th Annual Afternoon of Jazz Fundraiser” at the Wilshire Country Club from 2-7:00 p.m. in order to celebrate the achievements of high school scholar athletes. Vitti will be the recipient of the "Local Hero Award," set to honor him for his help towards placing full-time Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC's) to treat and rehabilitate injured student athletes.
"Appropriate medical care goes beyond having a physician and an ambulance at a game," said Vitti. "There's a lot more practice time than games, and of an estimated seven million high school athletes, only 42% have access to a certified athletic trainer. One in six adolescents that participate in high school sports will sustain a sports related injury, while one in every 100,000 will sustain a catastrophic injury. Team HEAL is doing its part but we have a long way to go."
According to Vitti, program services include: pre-season sports physicals by volunteer physicians, sports medicine classes taught by (ATC’s) at participating schools; and scholarships given to deserving students. The program currently offers assistance to Banning, Carson, Crenshaw and Manual Arts high schools.
"I've been involved with trying to get athletic trainers in high schools for so long that it means a great deal to me that (Medical Director) Dr. (Clarence L.) Shields thought enough of the concept to create this magnificent foundation," said Vitti. "Just as we have a responsibility to have coaches, facilities and equipment, we have a responsibility to provide care for these young athletes."
Those interested in supporting the cause can attend Team HEAL's jazz fundraiser, make a financial donation, an auction donation or "simply spread the word by word of mouth to people they know that may interested in this cause," as Vitti concluded.
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