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IT’S A PARENT’S
worst nightmare—
one minute you’re cheering on your son
in the heat of an attempted touchdown,
and the next minute he’s been knocked
unconscious and needs immediate
medical attention.
Emotions can run high in a
moment like this. Jackson Hospital
Sports Medicine does its best to
help alleviate some of the stress that
can follow.
Our sports medicine program is a
joint effort among Jackson Hospital,
Alabama Orthopaedic Specialists
and Rehab Associates. Its purpose
is to provide comprehensive
medical care to both the profes-
sional and recreational athlete.
Licensed healthcare professionals
are at the majority of local sport-
ing events. We even have a Friday
night clinic for sports injuries during
the football season—it is staffed with a
nurse, a radiologist, a certified athletic trainer
and an orthopedic surgeon.
Will Clemmons
JACKSON HOSPITAL
SPORTS MEDICINE
11
Katz, Clemmons
receive special award
Jackson Hospital, in conjunction with
Alabama Orthopaedic Specialists and
Rehab Associates, presented the first
John Thayer Voltz Comeback Award
to Erin Katz and Will Clemmons, two
local high school athletes.
John Thayer Voltz was a local
athlete in Montgomery in the 1990s.
He was a three-sport standout for
Montgomery Academy, playing football,
basketball and baseball. In 2006, he was
diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease
(ALS). After fighting a courageous battle
for six years, John Thayer passed away
in May 2012 at the age of 39.
This award will be given annually in his
memory to a male and a female athlete
in the area who have shown the strength
and willingness to battle against the
odds to recover from a major injury and
return to sports.
“Although John Thayer was
diagnosed with ALS, he always
stayed positive with his battle
until his recent passing,” said
Robert Kohn, area vice president
for Rehab Associates. “He had a
never-give-up attitude, which has
been seen in these two recipients
as well. When recovering from an
injury, it’s as mentally tough as it is
physically, and this award signifies
an athlete who has John Thayer’s
mental toughness and the desire to
overcome adversity.”
From left, Robert
Kohn, Erin Katz,
Will Clemmons
and Charles Lee,
director of Sports
Medicine for
Jackson Hospital.