KU News Release

Orthopaedics experts to discuss female sports injuries at symposium

LAWRENCE — A symposium at the University of Kansas Medical Center will bring several leading experts to Kansas City to present their research in the evaluation and management of sports-related injuries, particularly in women.

The passage of the Title IX education act in 1972 has lead to increased participation of women in sports at all levels, which has resulted in an increasing number of sports-related injuries in females. Treating injuries in women frequently differs from treating similar injuries in men because of differing anatomy, hormonal influences and training methods.

The symposium, “Current Concepts, Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Female Athlete,” will tackle these issues and more. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Hyatt Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Program director Dr. Vincent Key says the nationally respected group of experts will energize the symposium.

“We are pleased to have a great group of faculty for this program,” Key said. “The depth of experience they have and insight they will share makes this a unique opportunity for the health care community in the Midwest to really broaden its understanding of injuries among female athletes. It’s not often that a symposium can offer such an engaging group of experts.”

Dr. Letha Griffin is a member of the Athletic Board of Georgia State University. She is also team orthopaedist for Georgia State athletes and is on the panels of orthopaedic physicians for the Atlanta Ballet. Previously, she has served as an instructor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan, where she also spent time as an assistant team physician and member of the Sports Medicine Clinic. Later, she was served as head of orthopaedic surgery at Wayne County Hospital.

Dr. Shubin Stein is an assistant attending orthopaedic surgeon fellowship-trained in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. She is an instructor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Stein is a team physician for the United States Federation Cup Tennis team and the New York Magic, a semi-pro women’s soccer team. Her research interests include the investigation of common knee problems and other injuries that predominantly affect active women.

Dr. Laura Tosi is the director of the Bone Health Program at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Her practice focuses on orthopaedic management of children with physical disabilities and birth defects. Tosi also works to increase physician awareness of bone health issues for women and children, with the goal of reducing debilitating bone injury as the population ages.

For more information, visit the conference Web site or call toll-free 877-404-5823.

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