UN SPORTS MEDICINE NEWSLETTER
Fellowship Interview Day Highlights
We hosted our Sports Medicine Fellowship interviews in February in Boulder, showcasing our facilities and program. A big thank you to the staff, faculty, and current fellows who helped make the day a success we truly appreciate your time and effort. We look forward to the year ahead with our new fellows!
International Competition Spotlight with Dr. Changstrom
Team USA continues to be strong here at CU Sports Medicine & Performance Center. Just prior to the Milan 2026 Olympics, Dr. Changstrom traveled with U.S. Synchronized Skating to the Netherlands to support the national team at the Lumière Cup. Thank you, Dr. Changstrom, for representing both Team USA and CU Sports Medicine & Performance Center so well!
“The senior team finished in 3rd place and the junior teams just missed the podium at 4th and 6th place. It was an honor to represent the US in this competition shortly before other members of Team USA competed at the MilanCortino Olympics! Go USA!”
Team USA Shines at World Championships
Following Olympic Season
Following the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA quickly turned its focus to the 2026 World Championships in Prague, Czechia. Alongside many members of the Milan Olympic team and several rising skaters, Dr. Sherrie BallantineTalmadge helped bring an incredible Olympic season to a close.
She shared that it was once again a wonderful experience collaborating with international medical teams. The global connections and shared work continue to be remarkable, with this year standing out as especially meaningful. The local organizing committee’s medical team in Prague was exceptionally strong among the best we have worked with. Notably, there was an increased emphasis on mental health support, including the continued presence of therapy dogs, which have become a valued and impactful resource for athletes and staff alike.
It was a long season, but a successful one for Team USA, highlighted by a bronze medal in Ice Dance and gold in the Men’s event. As the season wraps up, Team USA now looks ahead entering planning mode for the next quadrennial and the year to come. Be sure to catch these incredible athletes when Stars on Ice comes to a city near you!
Leadership Spotlight: Dr. McCarty
Bruce Reider, AOSSM
Executive Editor and Editor-inChief of American Journal of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, continues his interview series highlighting leaders in orthopaedic sports medicine with a feature on Dr. Eric McCarty.
Listen Here
Dr. McCarty Professor and Chief of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Head Team Physician for Colorado Buffaloes football, former Head Team Physician for the Colorado Avalanche, and current President of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (2025–2026) shares reflections on his journey in sports medicine.
In this insightful and engaging podcast, he discusses growing up in Boulder, his experience playing football in Italy, working alongside Deion Sanders, and his contributions to shoulder research through the MOON Shoulder Group He also offers perspective on leadership, mentorship, delivering commencement addresses, and the role of faith in shaping both his personal and professional life.
Be sure to give this interesting and thoughtprovoking conversation a listen.
Behind the scenes with Dr. Frank covering it all — from U.S. Soccer duties to the electric Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami match featuring Lionel Messi ⚽
Sports Medicine Spotlight
Celebrating Athletic
Training Month: The Team Behind Every Athlete
This past March, we recognized Athletic Training Month and celebrated the vital role athletic trainers (ATCs) play at CU Sports Medicine.
Every time an athlete steps onto the field, court, or training space, they do so with confidence supported by a team led by athletic trainers who are often the first to respond to injuries and the steady presence throughout recovery. From injury prevention and evaluation to rehabilitation and return-to-play, ATCs help ensure athletes can safely perform at their best.
Beyond physical care, they build strong relationships with patients and work closely with physicians and the care team to deliver a coordinated, patient-centered approach.
“Our athletic trainers are foundational to everything we do. They are the ” glue” of the practice,” one provider shared.
We are proud to recognize our athletic trainers for the impact they make every day at CU Sports Medicine.
Good
Luck to Our Teams in the
Playoffs!
As the postseason heats up, we’re cheering on both the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche as they compete in their playoff runs. Best of luck to the players, staff, and medical teams working behind the scenes we’re proud to support you and wish you continued success!
Registration Now Open: 5th International Extreme Sports Medicine Congress
Registration is now open for the 5th International Extreme Sports Medicine Congress, taking place June 5–6, 2026, at Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.
This internationally recognized event brings together leaders across sports medicine—including physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and researchers for two days of cuttingedge education and collaboration. The program will cover a wide range of topics, including injury prevention, surgical techniques, rehabilitation strategies, and the psychology, genetics, and physiology of elite extreme athletes.
Hosted in collaboration with the University of Colorado Sports Medicine, University of Utah Health, and US Ski & Snowboard, the congress continues to gain national attention, with past coverage in major outlets such as the LA Times, Outside Magazine, and NPR.
Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available, and CME/CEU credits will be offered.
For more information and to register, visit: www.extremesportscongress.com
Questions can be directed to maureen.gaeke@cuanschutz.edu
Climbing First Aid Opportunity
Morgan Campbell, a local psychiatrist, is sharing an opportunity for providers who climb and are interested in strengthening their first aid skills in outdoor settings. After witnessing a climbing accident and feeling unprepared to provide care, he is working to raise awareness and help others feel more confident in these real-world situations.
If you’re interested, feel free to reach out to him for more information.
