Experts Offer Guidance on Ways Athletes Can Overcome Physical and Emotional Challenges

Pictured from left: Matthew Heller, D.O.; Rick Zappala; Lori Hochman, Ph.D.; Professional Boxer Chris Algieri; Todd Cohen, M.D.; Eric M. Lamberg, Ed.D.; James Pierre-Glaude, D.P.T.

On November 4, a panel of health-care professionals from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and NYIT School of Health Professions, as well as experts from the external community, discussed ways athletes can overcome physical, mental, and emotional challenges to help them achieve success at “Athletes Who Rise Above the Challenges: Creating a Circle of Support” at the New York Institute of Technology Center for Sports Medicine’s Annual Conference in Mollie Rogers Auditorium, Serota Hall.

Chris Algieri (M.S. ‘10), a professional boxer and alumnus of the School of Health Professions’ clinical nutrition program, delivered the keynote address. Algieri, who also serves as a nutritionist to fellow boxers, shared how fitness supplements can pose nutritional challenges in wrestling and boxing. He said that “magic foods” do not come in pills or powders, and encouraged athletes to get their nutrients from everyday foods such as antioxidant-rich blueberries, immune-boosting citrus fruits, and inflammation-fighting salmon.

Discussions and presenters (in order of event) included:   

• Transitioning from High School to College Sports: Melanie Austin, O.T.D., M.P.A., and Frederick Zappala, M.S., athletic trainer at Schreiber High School (Port Washington, N.Y.)
• Behavioral Health and Sports Psychology: Anu Raj, Psy.D., assistant professor of family medicine, NYITCOM
• Athletes with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders: Bernadette Riley, D.O., director, NYIT Ehlers-Danlos/Hypermobility Treatment Center and associate professor, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, NYITCOM
• Hip and Pelvic Injuries in Athletes: Brian Capogna, M.D., Orthopedic Associates of Manhasset
• Fact and Fiction of Running Injuries: Eric Greenberg, D.P.T., assistant professor of physical therapy, NYIT School of Health Professions, and Andrea Coladner, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine, NYITCOM
• Athletes with Cardiac Challenges: Todd Cohen, M.D., NYITCOM professor and chief of cardiology and director of medical device innovation
• Spinal Cord Injuries in Athletes: Lori Hochman, Ph.D., assistant professor of physical therapy, NYIT School of Health Professions  
• Sickle Cell Anemia and Sports: Matthew Heller, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine, NYITCOM
• The Special Olympics: Bhavesh Joshi, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine, NYITCOM-Arkansas
• Prosthetics in Athletics: Eric M. Lamberg, Ed.D., and James Pierre-Glaude, D.P.T., U.S. National Amputee Soccer Team
• Playing with Autism: Alexander Lopez, J.D., associate professor and chair of occupational therapy, NYIT School of Health Professions
• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in the Athlete: George Cheriyan, D.O., assistant professor of osteopathic manipulative medicine, NYITCOM.

The event was held in partnership with the New York Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Educational Consortium (NYCOMEC).