Sports medicine will be the focus of the Nov. 15 Science Café at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 15, at red9, 9th and M streets in Lincoln. The featured speaker is Rusty McKune, sports medicine program coordinator for The Nebraska Medical Center, hospital partner for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
McKune, a certified athletic trainer, will talk about what sports medicine is, what goes into a sports medicine program, and trends in concussion management and awareness. He also will talk about the new Concussion Awareness Act in Nebraska, which went into effect July 1. The bill affects schools with athletes 19 years and younger, including youth and adult sports organizations or sponsors of sporting activities.
McKune has spent the majority of his career working in athletic training rooms of high schools, colleges, and professional athletic organizations. He has seen the importance of a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach when managing injuries. Comprehensive sports medicine focuses not only on the treatment of injuries that have occurred, but also on developing strategies to identify the cause of injury and instituting corrective measures to prevent the injuries.
As president of the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association, McKune worked closely with the Brain Injury Association of Nebraska, health care professionals across the state and legislators to help develop and gain passage of LB 260, the Concussion Awareness Act.
A 1994 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he joined The Nebraska Medical Center this year after 15 years at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While at UNO, he served as head athletic trainer and assistant athletic trainer. He also taught a variety of classes ranging from evaluation of upper extremity injuries to therapeutic modalities.
Science Cafe is a free educational event sponsored by UNMC and other groups to increase the population’s science literacy. Hosted by UNMC, Bio Nebraska and the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, Science Cafes are held the first Tuesday of each month in Omaha and one Thursday every other month in Lincoln.
A more scientifically literate populace is a goal in UNMC’s strategic plan. The goal of the committee has been to introduce and get young adults interested in science by presenting it in a casual setting.
For more information on coming and past Science Cafes in Omaha and Lincoln, visit www.unmc.edu/sciencecafe.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.