The future of sports medicine in Central California will be among the topics discussed at a community forum and panel discussion Thursday sponsored by the College of Health and Human Services at California State University, Fresno.

The event will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Piccadilly Inn University (Waldorf Room).

Youth sport program coordinators, regional high school athletic directors, along with health and allied health care providers from the San Joaquin Valley will be present.

Also to be discussed is exploration of the development of a new Central California Sports Medicine Institute. The College of Health and Human Services is exploring the development of an institute to address areas such as meeting the sports medicine needs of youth, offering continuing education opportunities for coaches and area providers, delivering cutting-edge research and expanding preventive services.

The keynote address at Thursday’s forum will be given by Dr. Kathleen A. Curtis, director of the Central California Center for Health and Human Services and interim associate dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

A panel discussion on “The Future of Sports Medicine in the Central California Region” will be moderated by Dr. William Hennrikis of Central California Children’s Hospital. Panelists will be Karen Sowby, athletic director at Clovis West High School; Dr. Steven Thaxter, Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center; Dr. John Monteleone, Monteleone Sports Medicine; and Lance

Hairabedian of Sports Center Community Hospital.

Topics during the general session include air quality and physical activity, screening for heart abnormalities in youth, contemporary assessments of concussions in youth, knee injuries and goals of the new institute.

For more information, please contact Brandie Campbell at: 559.278.7940