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MUSC named health care sponsor of Family Circle Cup by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations MUSC has been named the official health care sponsor of the 2007 Family Circle Cup to be held on Daniel Island April 7 – 15.   Michael Barr, physical therapist, works with Graham Drayton of Johns Island, who is recuperating from knee surgery. Barr has worked with world-class women tennis players, and will assist Dr. David Geier at the Family Circle Cup. The designation as the lead health care provider means that MUSC will provide the eight-day event, its spectators, participants and athletes with the full range of on-site, medical care and assistance. The Family Circle Cup is part of the Sony Ericsson WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour and is one of the longest running all-women’s Tier I events in the world showcasing the best in women’s tennis.   David Geier Jr., M.D., MUSC orthopaedic surgeon and director of MUSC Sports Medicine, will serve as the tournament’s chief physician and will provide the cup’s athletes, which include most of the world’s top 20 players, with orthopaedic and medical care.   Dr. David Geier consults his patient, Lauren Kirby, who had surgery to repair her knee. “Being named chief tournament physician of the Family Circle Cup is quite an honor,” Geier said. “I, along with the rest of the physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers of MUSC Sports Medicine, am excited to have the opportunity to provide world-class treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries to the best tennis players in the world.”   MUSC’s Emergency Department also will provide medical staff, including registered nurses, for people attending the event, which is expected to draw about 100,000 spectators.   MUSC’s Meducare, working with Berkeley County EMS, will provide paramedics and emergency management technicians, on the site. If necessary, patients would be transported to MUSC.   “This is the first time MUSC has been designated as the health care sponsor for the Family Circle Cup,” said Brian Fletcher, Meducare manager. MUSC has sponsored and provided medical services  for other professional athletic events.   Fletcher said that MUSC will provide an ambulance staffed with EMTs, and paramedics who will circulate throughout the venue. The First Aid tent will be staffed by MUSC ED medical staff, with over-the-counter medicines and aids available.   Brian Vest, MUSC’s ED operations manager, said that the First Aid tent will have at least one registered nurse on staff at all times, and also would include IV supplies in case someone becomes dehydrated.   “We will have access to more sophisticated medical equipment and drugs that are kept on the MUSC ambulance,” Vest said.   In addition to the sponsorship, MUSC also will exhibit a number of other services and equipment at the Family Circle Cup. For example, Hollings Cancer Center will exhibit its brand new mobile mammography and cancer screening van at the venue. MUSC’s “Go Red” women’s heart-health van also will be on site. And the Children’s Hospital will team up with Hyundai for a special promotion that will raise money for Children’s Hospital.   Meanwhile, Geier has assisted with and provided orthopaedic coverage for the St. Louis Rams, St. Louis Cardinals, the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, the Rhodes College football and basketball teams, the Memphis Marathon, the Kroger-St. Jude Tennis Championships, the Cellular South Cup and the U.S. Open Racquetball Championships.   Geier’s responsibilities will include providing emergency orthopaedic care to athletes, examining injuries and administering treatments, therapy and medication to players.     Friday, March16, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.