VYS - Inova Sports Medicine Join to Bring Personalized Care

Inova Sports Medicine and Vienna Youth Soccer, Inc (VYS) recently announced a newly formed relationship for the 2015-16 season. VYS is a leading youth soccer organization in the Northern Virginia area, with over 3,500 players of all ages. Its mission is to build character, confidence, and a lifelong love of soccer by providing a continuum of competitive, high-quality and positive soccer experiences for all players in and near the Vienna community. Inova’s team encompasses a comprehensive network of board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine experts specializing in the complete care of athletes of all ages. Inova Sports Medicine and VYS have joined forces to deliver state-of-the-art sports education, consultation, health services and performance training to the players and families of VYS.

Consistently recognized nationally as a top performing health system, Inova aims to further strengthen community ties specifically with the families of Vienna. Working with Inova Sports Medicine allows VYS the ability to add value to its members in a way that extends beyond the soccer field. A relationship with Inova also ensures families have access to a full range of injury prevention, treatment, and athletic conditioning services.

“Inova has long been a fixture in Northern Virginia and its relationship with VYS allows its Sports Medicine department to be involved and support the community at a grass roots level. By working with organizations such as Inova, VYS is able to enhance its role in the Vienna community,” said Catherine Keightley, Executive Director of Vienna Youth Soccer.

Through this relationship, Vienna Youth Soccer athletes will have priority access to Inova’s recently opened sports medicine facility in Fairfax. This innovative sports medicine clinic is a one-stop-shop that includes sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians, concussion management services, X-ray, ultrasound-guided diagnosis and treatment, physical therapy and athletic training services all under one roof.

Chris Young, Director of Athletic Training Services and Outreach, notes, “We understand athletes are naturally busy and the time of the athlete and athlete’s family is very valuable. We are anxious to ease the hassle and stress often associated with an injury by providing an all-in-one location for high-level sport medicine services.”

Beyond the soccer field and sports medicine clinic, Inova Sports Medicine and VYS will partner to provide education and training to the club’s coaches, parents, and athletes. Inova’s team of world class physicians and sports medicine experts will offer unique presentations and opportunities to VYS in an effort to keep its members up-to-date on the exciting, but ever evolving world of sports medicine, nutrition, injury prevention, and athletic conditioning.

“We are excited to be working with Inova Sports Medicine and providing our Vienna families with the sports medicine education and services needed to keep our players healthy and injury free,” Keightley adds.

Inova Sports Medicine will be assisting VYS in maintaining compliance with Virginia’s recently enacted concussion law, which is centered on yearly education of athletes, parents, and coaches. Knowing the importance of having a pre-injury assessment, Inova Sports Medicine will be offering baseline concussion testing for VYS players in an effort to better manage athletes suspected of having a concussion. VYS families and coaches will also be given complementary digital access to unique concussion education presentations created by Inova Sports Medicine. Additionally, Inova Sports Medicine will have a dedicated concussion hotline available to provide information and assistance with scheduling concussion appointments.

“Helping athletes return to their active lifestyle in a safe and timely manner is an important part of a positive athletic experience. In addition, we know that providing accurate and relevant education prior to an injury can be equally beneficial,” said Dr. Robin West, Medical Director of Inova Sports Medicine. “This relationship is one of the first of its kind in Northern Virginia and shows just how committed VYS is to its athletes, parents, and coaches on and off the field. Inova Sports Medicine is equally committed to providing high-level, integrative care for athletes of all ages. Working together with the entire VYS community is something our team at Inova Sports Medicine is truly looking forward to!”

For more information on the Inova-Vienna Youth Soccer relationship, please contact Chris Young, Inova Director of Athletic Training Services and Outreach, at 703-970-6463 or Catherine Keightley, VYS Executive Director at 703-405-5727.