DC interns from National University’s Florida campus brought their sports medicine training to the Miami Judo Grand Prix, held June 15 – 16. This year’s event is the first time the elite Grand Prix has been hosted in the United States, and featured top Judo athletes from around the world.

Students Dustin Bledsoe, Jake LaVere, Kristin Ibanez, and Colleen Dor (l-r above) attended the Grand Prix event under the supervision of faculty sports medicine expert, Carlo Guadagno DC, CCSP. The NUHS group was the exclusive chiropractic provider for athletes at this prestigious tournament.

The interns participated in managing a total of 17 injury reports, including dislocated extremity joints, ripped toe nails, numerous muscle strains and sprains, and even a dislodged tooth. The interns treated top athletes not only from the USA, but also from Dominican Republic, Great Britain, Columbia, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Spain.  The international event allowed the interns to work with previous past medalists and athletes who participated in the Grand Prix as a qualifying event for future Olympics, including US Olympian Michael Swain and US team member Mark Fletcher.

“It was a wonderful experience all around,” says Jake LaVere, vice president of the NUHS Sports Council, which helps coordinate student participation at professional athletic events. Students at National University’s Florida campus enjoy numerous opportunities for hands-on sports medicine experience year-round, under the guidance of several leaders in chiropractic sports medicine who serve on the NUHS faculty.