Physicians and mid-level providers who are affiliated with Southeastern Regional Medical Center will be present at many high school football games throughout Robeson County as a way to connect with the communities they serve while providing medical services for student-athletes. Athletic trainers and first responders will continue to provide fundamental medical support for players, while the Southeastern providers will offer additional support for players in the event of a serious injury.

Ronnie Chavis, the athletics director for the Public Schools of Robeson County, is relieved to know that medical providers will be present at this year’s football games.

“If something catastrophic happens on the field, these doctors and providers will help us make better medical decisions,” Chavis said. “We have quite a few injuries each year and it is great to know that we are going to be able to give our kids some expert medical advice.”

The physicians and providers, who will primarily attend home games, and they schools they will be supporting include:

— Physician Assistant Robert Hollingsworth of Red Springs Family Medicine Clinic; Red Springs High School.

— Dr. Karl Moo Young of St. Pauls Medical Clinic; St. Pauls High School.

— Physician Assistant Don Metzger of Southeastern Regional Medical Center Emergency Services; Lumberton Senior High School.

— Physician Assistant Barry Graham of Southeastern Urgent Care Pembroke; Purnell Swett High School.

— Nurse Practitioner Crystal Moore of Johnson Medical Clinic in Red Springs; Purnell Swett High School.

— Physician Assistant Phillip Stephens of Southeastern Regional Medical Center Emergency Services; Fairmont High School.

Hollingsworth has been providing medical coverage at both home and away sporting events for Red Springs High School for the past four years. “As with any type of physical contact sport, there is always the possibility of player injury,” he said.

“I am a member of the North Carolina Medical Society’s Sports Medicine Committee and one of the most important topics that concerns the committee is the medical coverage for our kids during sports activities,” Hollingsworth said. “I think that the medical center’s willingness to take on this responsibility is great for our community, great for our kids and great for the providers that are willing to get involved.”

Amanda Crabtree is the public relations coordinator for Southeastern Regional Medical Center. She can be reached at crabtr01@srmc.org.