In this episode of POMA DOes…, POMA Past President John J. Kalata, DO, speaks with fellow Past President William J. Kuprevich, DO, who shares his journey from community sports medicine to serving at the Paralympic and Olympic Games. Dr. Kuprevich reflects on how early experience working with high school and collegiate athletes led to opportunities with Team USA, eventually serving as Chief Medical Officer at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. He discusses the responsibility of representing both the United States and the osteopathic profession on the international stage. As the Winter Olympics conclude, this episode offers a timely reflection on what it means to serve athletes at the highest level.

Key Takeaways:

• Start where you are. Experience at the high school, college, or local level builds the foundation for larger opportunities in sports medicine.

• Whole-person care sets you apart. Communication skills, manual therapy, and an osteopathic approach to treating the "whole athlete" are invaluable on and off the field.

• Say yes to opportunity. Be confident, gain experience, understand emergency action plans, and when asked to serve—take the opportunity and run with it.

Interested in working with a USA National Team? Contact the sport's National Governing Body (NGB) for information about medical staff opportunities.

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