Kaiser Permanente has a world-class Sports Medicine program that enables athletes at any age and fitness level to stay fit, healthy, and in the game. Care for local athletes extends beyond the walls of our facilities into the Central Valley.
In addition to serving as the team physicians to the Stockton Kings (the G-League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings), and University of the Pacific (UOP) athletics, our sports medicine doctors work with athletic departments at several local high schools and colleges. The team participates in Lincoln High School’s annual sports physicals to ensure student athletes are healthy and ready to compete, and provides care to collegiate athletes at Delta College, Modesto Junior College, Stanislaus State, and University of California, Merced. Our doctors also volunteer their time to provide support at special sporting events in our area, such as the NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championship tournament held at UOP last fall.
“Our Sports Medicine team is passionate about providing the best care to our members, and positively impacting athletes in our community — whether they are recreational, collegiate, or professional,” said Eric Larson, M.D., Chief of Sports Medicine in the Central Valley.
It’s exciting for the team to also be a part of a member’s journey from high school athlete to competing at the college level — especially after coming back from sports-related injuries.
Sports Medicine physician, Dr. Wais Arsala has had many patients he cared for during their entire athletic careers. One such patient, a football quarterback from a high school in Stockton, had been seen for multiple injuries throughout his years playing sports, and had a number of scholarship offers from California and Ivy League colleges. This athlete is now playing at the NCAA Division I level, and recently won their conference championship with his team as a freshman.
“Because of the trust we have built over the years, he still emails me when he gets injured and sees me in our Modesto facility when he is in town,” said Dr. Arsala. “It’s great to know we’ve had a positive impact on his life and athletic goals.”
This work done in the community by our Sports Medicine team helps to grow Kaiser Permanente’s positive reputation. “We are proud to lend our time and expertise while fulfilling Kaiser Permanente’s mission to improve the lives of the communities we serve,” added Dr. Larson.