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An unfortunate side of sports can be injuries, but thanks to the Player Wellness Center, help is not far away.
Designed as an on-site medical clinic, the Player Wellness Center is available 24/7 to the players, coaches and managers during their time in Williamsport, said Nicole Judge, PhD, physician assistant at UPMC Pediatrics in North Central Pennsylvania.
"The majority of our staff here are advanced practice professionals, physician assistants and certified nurse practitioners, as well as an awesome nursing staff," Judge said. "We also get help from physicians and resident physicians from the UPMC Williamsport Family Medicine Residency team."
The Center features a waiting room, two exam rooms, three patient rooms and an additional patient room fully outfitted with a private bathroom and overnight sleeping accommodations in case of the need for medical isolation. The facility is ADA-accessible and provides easy access for emergency personnel in the event of an emergency transport situation, she said.
Most of what the professionals see at the center is similar to a primary or urgent care center, such as colds, cuts, bruises and aches and pains, Judge said.
"We also provide support for any individuals with existing medical needs while they're at the Series," she said. "Being on-site 24/7 with the teams means we're always on call so you never know what to expect as we're also often the first medical professionals to respond to the housing during emergencies."
The creation of the Player Wellness Center was a multi-year initiative supported by Little League International and UPMC's leadership, she said.
It was built in the summer of 2020 to replace the former Little League Infirmary with a modern medical facility in order to accommodate the expansion of the Little League Baseball World Series from 16 teams to 20 teams, starting with the 2022 event.
"I've been volunteering here for years and it was very clear that we had outgrown the old space," Judge said. "This new center was very intentionally built looking not just at meeting needs now, but how to have a facility that can continue to meet the needs for years to come."
The Player Wellness Center is not just for two weeks in August.
"While the Player Wellness Center is primarily used during the Little League Baseball World Series, our team had the privilege to support the Maria Pepe tournament this June when they hosted girls who play Little League Baseball at the complex," Judge said.
More changes are on the horizon for the Player Wellness Center.
"I am striving to make the center more accessible, professional and multi-capable," Judge said. "Over the past few years, we have added Telemedicine for behavioral health needs and medical translation services. While there are no physical expansion plans that I am aware of, we are always looking for ways to make sure we are providing the best care possible to players and coaches."