Queensborough Community College

Sports Medicine Mission Statement
The Mission of the Sports Medicine staff at Queensborough Community College is to provide our student-athletes with the highest level of health care under an evidence-based approach. The main goal is to work transparently to assure our student-athletes compete at the highest level of their ability in a healthy, safe and eligible manner.
 
What is an Athletic Trainer?
An Athletic Trainer (AT) is a highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professional who collaborates with physicians and other allied health professionals to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.  AT's are allied health professionals who optimize activity and participation of student-athletes.  AT's are an integral part of every intercollegiate athletics program and ensure that every student-athlete is competing in a safe and healthy environment.
 
What is the goal of our Sports Medicine Staff?
The primary goal of the sports medicine staff is to provide high-quality health care for student-athletes competing at the intercollegiate level for Queensborough Community College.  The staff also educates the student-athletes in the areas of injury prevention, nutrition, hygiene, substance abuse, and strength and conditioning.  The sports medicine staff is dedicated to assisting the student-athlete’s development of his/her maximum potential for academic, athletic and personal success.
 
When should you see your Athletic Trainer?
On a daily basis, the AT directly supervises multiple athletic activities with preventative measures being taken to reduce the risk of injury.  Should a student-athlete become injured, the athletic trainer recognizes and evaluates the injury, provides immediate care, makes a timely referral if necessary, initiates treatment, and develops a rehabilitation program with the goal to return the student-athlete back to sport safely.  The objective of the AT’s medical care is to consider the student-athletes’ appropriate return to participation consistent with their long-term well-being.
 
Sports Medicine Staff
Athletic Trainer:  Ivan Mak, ATC
Team Physician:  Osiric S. King, MD
Director of Health Services:  Isabel Hocevar, RN
Director of Athletics:  Jon Hochberg, MA

Injury Protocol
If a student-athlete has sustained an injury while participating with a Queensborough team, they should see the Athletic Trainer for evaluation as soon as possible, and the following protocol will be initiated:

1. Student-athlete will visit the Athletic Trainer in room RFK-103 (located in the RFK Gymnasium Building) for an assessment of the injury.
2. The Athletic Trainer will evaluate the injury and make the proper referral, if needed.
3. An accident report will be filled out by whom the overseeing coach or administrator was at the time of the injury.  This report will be submitted to the Athletic Director within 48 hours of the incident.
4. The student-athlete will fill out an Athletic Accident Claim Form available in room RFK-206C or room RFK-103.  This form will be signed by the Athletic Trainer, and submitted to the Health Services Office.
5. If you have any other questions, please speak with the Athletic Trainer or the Health Services Office for more information.

 
Head Injury Protocol
If a student-athlete has sustained a head injury while participating with a Queensborough team, they MUST see the Athletic Trainer prior to returning to participation, and the following protocol will be initiated:

1. The Athletic Trainer will utilize their medical judgement and neurological testing to assess the head injury to see if a concussion is suspected.
2. If concussion is suspected, the Athletic Trainer will administer the Sway Medical assessment tool, to provide measurable variables regarding the head injury.
3. The student-athlete will need to be seen by the Queensborough Team Physician for evaluation.  The Athletic Trainer will assist in setting up the appointment.
4. The student-athlete will not be able to begin the return to play protocol until they have clearance from the Queensborough Team Physician.  The protocol is a 6-step progressive return to play protocol.  The protocol is as follows:
   1. Step 1 – Return to activities of daily living without symptoms.  Activities include attending class, commuting, etc.  Student-athlete must be asymptomatic for 24 hours after activity prior to advancing to the next step.
   2. Step 2 – Performing light aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming or riding a stationary bike.  Student-athlete must be asymptomatic for 24 hours after activity prior to advancing to the next step.
   3. Step 3 – Performing moderate aerobic exercise such as jogging, body weight squats, planks, sit-ups and/or pushups with no head impact.  Student-athlete must be asymptomatic for 24 hours after activity prior to advancing to the                next step.
   4. Step 4 – Performing sports-specific, non-contact drills and progressive resistance training.    Student-athlete must be asymptomatic for 24 hours after activity prior to advancing to the next step.
   5. Step 5 – Participating in a full practice session without restrictions.  Student-athlete must be asymptomatic for 24 hours after activity prior to advancing to the next step.
   6. Step 6 – Return to competition with clearance by Athletic Trainer or Team Physician.
5. If at any point of the protocol the student-athlete becomes symptomatic, the student-athlete will be returned to the previous level of activity, 24 hours after symptoms have subsided.

Updated:  September 1, 2021