Top medical experts discuss the latest advancements in athlete health and safety at the annual NFL summit in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS — Feb. 13, 2025 — Medical personnel from the National Football League, NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS), Ochsner Health and University Medical Center New Orleans LCMC Health and the larger New Orleans sports medicine community convened for the third annual NFL Health and Safety Super Bowl Summit on Friday, February 7, 2025, ahead of Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome.
The event featured top experts in sports medicine from the NFL, NFLPS, Ochsner Health and University Medical Center New Orleans discussing the latest research and advances in care for athletes. Key topics included the identification, treatment, and prevention of soft tissue injuries, orthobiologics, upper extremity injuries, reducing and treating concussions, and the multidisciplinary care of athletes, including mental health. Through a combination of lectures, case presentations, round table discussions, and breakout sessions, participants gained valuable insights into these critical areas of sports medicine.
"We're excited to once again gather with our colleagues in the sports medicine community to explore the latest advancements and innovations in athlete health and safety," said Dr. Allen Sills, NFL Chief Medical Officer. "The collaborative spirit and sharing of recent findings are key to continually improving the care and support we provide to athletes at all levels."
"LCMC Health is honored for University Medical Center New Orleans (UMC) to serve as host of the NFL Health and Safety Super Bowl Summit," said Greg Feirn, LCMC Health CEO. "As the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center, UMC is perfectly positioned to welcome medical experts from across the country for these vital conversations. We are proud to highlight the critical role of trauma care and grateful for the partnership between sports and healthcare in making a lasting impact on our community."
"Ochsner Health and its orthopedics and sports medicine program at Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute are proud to participate in this important medical summit with local and national industry leaders and the NFL," said Dr. Andrew Gottschalk, Medical Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Ochsner Health. "Collaborating on best practices and leading important and timely sports medicine discussions is the best way for us to learn from each other about how to best take care of our patients."
"The NFLPS is honored to, once again, be a part of this important day-long summit. The breadth of knowledge and expertise was impressive. The ability to continue to partner with the best in the field and share learnings, research and innovations provides our patients – the players, with best in class care," said Dr. James Voos, President of the NFLPS and head team doctor for the Cleveland Browns.
The event was open to a wide range of sports health professionals including physicians and athletic trainers, as well as residents and medical students from Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine.
The summit demonstrated the ongoing dedication of sports medicine leaders nationwide to fostering innovation, sharing knowledge, and providing the highest standard of care for athletes.
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Media Contacts:
Stef Goodsell, NFL, Stef.Goodsell@NFL.com
Amy Weiss, NFLPS, weiss@nflps.org
LaDana Williams, LCMC Health, LaDana.Williams@lcmchealth.org
Erica Burns, Oschner Health, erica.burns@ochsner.org