In light of the NCAA 2011 Men’s College Cup coming to the Birmingham, Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics held a Medical Soccer Symposium on Dec. 10 at the Ross Bridge Golf Resort in Hoover. Lemak has an office in Gardendale.

The goal of the medical symposium was to increase awareness of athletic injuries at any age and any level, concentrating on soccer. Through educating coaches, parents and athletes, the number of injuries, or at least the severity of the injuries, can be reduced.  

Presentations made by the panel of experts focused on common soccer injuries, concussions, heat illness, return to play, common soccer injuries and life-impacting experiences.

The panel of professionals included Dr. Lawrence Lemak, Dr. Ann Lebeck, Dr. Robert Agee and Dr. Amanda Martin, all of Lemak Sports Medicine.

Other speakers included Dr. John Galluci, president of JAG Physical Therapy; Taylor Twellman, former U.S. Men’s Soccer player and current ESPN analyst; and Joe Cummings, CEO of the NSCAA.

“Injuries occur at an extremely high rate, especially in the game of soccer. It is vital that we educate and raise awareness to decrease risks to the athlete,” said Dr. Lawrence Lemak.

The second annual Medical Soccer Symposium is being prepared for 2012.

For more information, contact Jenna Beach at (205) 329-7528 or jbeach@sportssafety.org.