Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Doctor offers his expertise each week to district's football teams
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For the Weekly Herald / DOUG RAMSAY
Edmonds School District Doctor Jim Hsu (top-right) keeps an eye on the team trainer as she treats senior strong safety Kyler Larsen after he was injured late in the Meadowdale Mavericks game against Everett, Friday, Oct. 20, 2011 at Edmonds District Stadium.
EDMONDS — If he had his way, Dr. Jim Hsu probably would prefer to remain an anonymous presence on the sidelines.
But since football is a full-contact, often violent sport, Hsu is not usually afforded that luxury.
Since 2005, Hsu, an orthopedic surgeon with the Sports Medicine Clinic in Northgate and Ballard, has volunteered his medical expertise to the Edmonds School District every Friday night at Edmonds Stadium during the fall.
Hsu specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He met then Edmonds District head athletic trainer Chris Murphy through a mutual acquaintance. At the time the district was in need of a physician to work the Friday night football games because the previous doctor had to bow out due to family considerations. Hsu offered his services to the district.
It's been a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties.
“We do it because it helps us to have access and exposure to the true meaning of sports and active injuries,” said Hsu, who went to medical school at the University of Rochester in New York. “It's what we truly love to do.”
Hsu noted that it's been a long-standing desire for the doctors at the Sports Medicine Clinic to be involved in the community. Most of them are affiliated with either a school district or a specific school.
Hsu's duties extend beyond covering Friday night football. The district works with him in establishing its procedures for medical situations.
If questions arise during the week as to the care of an athlete, the district can call Hsu.
“He's kind of the doctor that we are attaching ourselves to,” said Murphy, Meadowdale athletic director. “He's our resource.”
An athlete might not need to see a doctor right away, but one of the district's four athletic trainers is able to consult with Hsu.
The athletic trainer might ask, “Can you talk me through this and see if we're on the same page?” Murphy said. “At the end of the phone call Hsu might say ‘Why don't you send him down to X-ray,' or ‘you're doing great.'”
Hsu's familiarity with the athletes helps expedite and facilitate treatment.
“Because we are there, we have seen a lot of the kids,” said Hsu, who did his residency at Washington University in St. Louis. “We know their story. We can often get them in to the clinic the same day.”
On Friday nights, Hsu usually covers both games at Edmonds Stadium. He also travels with the teams when they advance in the playoffs.
Being on the sidelines enables Hsu to be close to the action. Should an injury need an evaluation, Hsu has first-hand knowledge of how the injury occurred.
“I like the whole experience of being able to see things as they happen,” said Hsu, who also did a fellowship at the Kerland-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. “I'm able to provide immediate feedback at the time of the injury with parents.”
The Sports Medicine Clinic is also open on Saturdays during the football season, so players can be seen the next day. Hsu gives advice to players and their families as to whether an injured player should head to the emergency room or wait until Saturday to seek further treatment.
In the seven years working at Edmonds Stadium, Hsu has been fortunate that he has not had to deal with any serious back or neck injuries. The most serious types of injuries are concussions, some of which were severe enough to refer players directly to the hospital. The more common injuries Hsu encounters are ACL tears and bone fractures.
The athletes and parents appreciate Hsu's bedside manner, according to Murphy.
“He's very open to ideas. He's not rigid,” Murphy said. “He's in a unique role. All of the students have their own insurance, so they have their own family physicians. He's really good at working with the physicians and not feeling like his toes are being stepped on. ... His demeanor is wonderful. It really translates over to the kids and the families.”
Hsu enjoys his work.
“I love it on the sidelines,” he said. “It's a kick just to watch the adrenaline kick in on the kids. ... Anytime there's a great game without any serious injuries, it's always good.”
But since football is a full-contact, often violent sport, Hsu is not usually afforded that luxury.
Since 2005, Hsu, an orthopedic surgeon with the Sports Medicine Clinic in Northgate and Ballard, has volunteered his medical expertise to the Edmonds School District every Friday night at Edmonds Stadium during the fall.
Hsu specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He met then Edmonds District head athletic trainer Chris Murphy through a mutual acquaintance. At the time the district was in need of a physician to work the Friday night football games because the previous doctor had to bow out due to family considerations. Hsu offered his services to the district.
It's been a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties.
“We do it because it helps us to have access and exposure to the true meaning of sports and active injuries,” said Hsu, who went to medical school at the University of Rochester in New York. “It's what we truly love to do.”
Hsu noted that it's been a long-standing desire for the doctors at the Sports Medicine Clinic to be involved in the community. Most of them are affiliated with either a school district or a specific school.
Hsu's duties extend beyond covering Friday night football. The district works with him in establishing its procedures for medical situations.
If questions arise during the week as to the care of an athlete, the district can call Hsu.
“He's kind of the doctor that we are attaching ourselves to,” said Murphy, Meadowdale athletic director. “He's our resource.”
An athlete might not need to see a doctor right away, but one of the district's four athletic trainers is able to consult with Hsu.
The athletic trainer might ask, “Can you talk me through this and see if we're on the same page?” Murphy said. “At the end of the phone call Hsu might say ‘Why don't you send him down to X-ray,' or ‘you're doing great.'”
Hsu's familiarity with the athletes helps expedite and facilitate treatment.
“Because we are there, we have seen a lot of the kids,” said Hsu, who did his residency at Washington University in St. Louis. “We know their story. We can often get them in to the clinic the same day.”
On Friday nights, Hsu usually covers both games at Edmonds Stadium. He also travels with the teams when they advance in the playoffs.
Being on the sidelines enables Hsu to be close to the action. Should an injury need an evaluation, Hsu has first-hand knowledge of how the injury occurred.
“I like the whole experience of being able to see things as they happen,” said Hsu, who also did a fellowship at the Kerland-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. “I'm able to provide immediate feedback at the time of the injury with parents.”
The Sports Medicine Clinic is also open on Saturdays during the football season, so players can be seen the next day. Hsu gives advice to players and their families as to whether an injured player should head to the emergency room or wait until Saturday to seek further treatment.
In the seven years working at Edmonds Stadium, Hsu has been fortunate that he has not had to deal with any serious back or neck injuries. The most serious types of injuries are concussions, some of which were severe enough to refer players directly to the hospital. The more common injuries Hsu encounters are ACL tears and bone fractures.
The athletes and parents appreciate Hsu's bedside manner, according to Murphy.
“He's very open to ideas. He's not rigid,” Murphy said. “He's in a unique role. All of the students have their own insurance, so they have their own family physicians. He's really good at working with the physicians and not feeling like his toes are being stepped on. ... His demeanor is wonderful. It really translates over to the kids and the families.”
Hsu enjoys his work.
“I love it on the sidelines,” he said. “It's a kick just to watch the adrenaline kick in on the kids. ... Anytime there's a great game without any serious injuries, it's always good.”