Drs. C. Michael Morris and Scott G. Quisling Honored For Their Volunteer Work With Gwinnett County Schools
As students get ready to return to school, high school athletes are preparing for fall sports, practicing in Georgia's summer heat, and looking for championship seasons in the fall.
At the same time, Resurgens Orthopaedics Drs. C. Michael Morris and Scott G. Quisling, Team Physicians at Gwinnett's Peachtree Ridge High School, are assessing ways to keep athletes safe.
"Keeping those athletes healthy and safe is our main concern," Dr. Morris said.
"The big thing is that they stay in shape year round and become acclimated to the heat throughout the summer," Dr. Quisling added.
During summer sports practice, especially football camps, physicians and coaches monitor the athletes' water intake and weight to make sure they stay hydrated.
"We've been very blessed not to have had any tragic heat-related problems," Dr. Quisling said, citing Georgia High School Association's strict rules for practicing in the heat. "We also monitor the athletes to make sure they eat appropriate meals, including a balanced breakfast, and make sure they don't get low on potassium."
Drs. Morris and Quisling, who practice at the Resurgens Orthopaedics Lawrenceville office, were honored last spring by the Gwinnett County School system for their work at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA.
The doctors, along with athletic trainer Mark Icenogle, ATC, of the Resurgens Orthopaedics Rehabilitation Center in Lawrenceville, received commendations from Mike Emory, Gwinnett's Director of Athletics, for their volunteer service to Peachtree Ridge since the school opened in 2003.
In addition to working at games and athletic practices, the Resurgens doctors provide annual physicals for Peachtree Ridge athletes.
Not only do Dr. Morris and Dr. Quisling volunteer their time for the physicals, but they also enlist help from cardiologists who test athletes for potential heart conditions. This year, two cardiologists, Dr. Jake Varghese and Dr. Sreeni Gangasani, performed cardiac screenings at the school. Dr. Gangasani brought a portable echo machine to help spot any athletes who might have a potential life-threatening heart abnormality.
Head injuries are an additional concern, especially for football players but also for soccer players, Dr. Morris and Dr. Quisling said. Gwinnett Schools use a new ImPACT software program to do baseline testing for athletes involved in contact/collision sports. The doctors use that information to help determine when an athlete can return to a game following a head injury.
Both Resurgens doctors live in Gwinnett County with their families and are board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Areas of expertise for Dr. Morris include sports medicine and arthroscopy. In addition to his volunteer work with Peachtree Ridge High School, Dr. Morris also volunteers at Greater Atlanta Christian School.
Areas of expertise for Dr. Quisling include sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, and joint replacement. Dr. Quisling has three sons involved in the sports programs in the Peachtree Ridge cluster feeder system.
Resurgens Orthopaedics, Georgia's largest orthopaedic practice, has 20 offices and six surgery centers throughout metro Atlanta. With 90 physicians, Resurgens provides specialized expertise and broad experience in the areas of sports medicine, joint replacement, neck and back surgery, foot and ankle surgery, non-operative spine care, general orthopaedics, hand surgery, arthroscopic surgery, epidural steroid injection, and trauma care. Resurgens provides comprehensive musculoskeletal care in a single location, from injury diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation services. Learn more at www.resurgens.com. Resurgenize!
