Healthcare Alive and Well in Extreme Sport of Rodeo Thanks to Justin Boot Company
Justin Sportsmedicine Team announces new program head, unveils latest state-of-the-art mobile medical facilities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GILBERT, AZ- February 14, 2010–At a time when many companies are finding it necessary to dial back their charitable efforts, the Justin Boot Company is committed to doing just the opposite.
The Justin Sportsmedicine Team, a program fully-funded by the Justin Boot Company since 1981 to provide the free, comprehensive, onsite medical coverage to professional rodeo athletes at some 125 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos annually, is instituting changes in leadership and technology for the 2010 season reflective of their ongoing commitment to the sport.
Following the respective retirements of the program’s founders, Dr. J. Pat Evans and Don Andrews after thirty years service to the JST, Justin Boots contacted long-time JST program manager Mike Rich, owner of Restore Physical Therapy Clinic and Restore Group in Arizona, to take the helm, bringing with him new technologies and services to the Justin Sportsmedicine Team and the professional rodeo athlete.
“I’ve worked with a lot of professional athletes in a variety of sports,” says Rich, “and rodeo is definitely one of the toughest and most grueling on its athletes.” Rich knows that in a sport where schedule and travel can take as much of a toll on the athlete as the animals they compete against, rodeo athletes have unique medical needs. “Most people who know rodeo will tell you, it’s not if an athlete will get hurt, but when and how bad. In addition, rodeo athletes are independent competitors, so they don’t have the luxury of a “team” doctor or athletic trainer that travels around with them. The Justin Sportsmedicine Team has always done a great job of filling that void and bringing medical care to the cowboys, we’re just looking to increase the quality of that care.”
With Rich’s input, the Justin Boot Company upped the ante of their commitment to that quality by acquiring three new, cutting-edge mobile medical facilities. But apart from their eye-catching exteriors, don’t let the trailer-like appearance fool you. Rich, Randy Bloomer of Bloomer Trailers, and Roger Vanhoozer of Cowboy Classics Living Quarters pored over every detail of these mobile units to maximize space, ergonomics and travel durability. Housed inside these custom-made medical facilities are x-ray viewing capabilities, electric stimulation machines, ultrasound units, treatment tables, and cabinets stocked full with tape, braces and other medical supplies typically only seen in well-appointed hospital units.
According to Rich, the most valuable piece of equipment in each facility will be its computer. Technology is where he plans to make the biggest gains. “We have implemented ways, via the internet, to document injuries and treatment protocols securely and in real time, so the doctor or clinician treating an athlete at a rodeo in Denver on a Saturday night will know exactly what the doctor who evaluated the injury the night before in Fort Worth saw in the x-ray, etc.” And this is something JST Medical Director, Dr. Tandy Freeman, is particularly excited about, notes Rich. “Not only are Dr. Freeman and his peers committed to helping the individual athlete with his/her particular injury, but they are equally committed to gathering and evaluating the injury information within the sport of rodeo as a whole. Our collective goal in the JST is to advance sport of rodeo by increasing injury prevention, education and treatment through ongoing research and improved technology.”
For more information on the Justin Sportsmedicine Team, visit www.justinsportsmedicineteam.com .
Media Contact
Rick Foster
303-588-6168
rick.foster.jsm@gmail.com
About Justin Sportsmedicine Team
The first mobile professional sports medicine vehicle in North America, the Justin Sportsmedicine Team (JST) is the Official Healthcare Provider to the PRCA. For 29 years it has provided on-site, state-of-the-art medical treatment to injured rodeo competitors at no charge. With more than 125 medical doctors and 475 physical therapists, athletic trainers and massage therapists, the JST network provides treatment at 125 PRCA sanctioned rodeos.
About Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund
The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund is a charitable organization designed to provide financial aid to professional rodeo athletes and their families in the event of catastrophic injury. Unique among today’s numerous charitable organizations, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (JCCF) stands above the rest by dedicating 100 percent of all contributions received for disbursement to eligible applicants. For more on the JCCF, visit www.prorodeo.com .
About Justin Boots®
Justin Brands, Inc., a recognized leader in Western footwear, is a Berkshire-Hathaway corporation (NYSE: BRKa) and its divisions include Justin Boot Company, Tony Lama Company, Nocona Boot Company, Chippewa Boot Company and Justin Original Workboots. For more about Justin Boot Company, visit www.justinboots.com .
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