Blazer

Lee Durocher

The CHA expansion into professional level sports is a reflection of the growth of its sports medicine program. Local up-and-coming sports franchises benefit from the services of the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). The Boston Blazers (National Lacrosse League), Boston Breakers (Women's Professional Soccer) and the Boston Militia (Women's Professional Football) are amongst the CHA's clients. The organization has long been involved with local high school athletics especially Somerville High School and Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. Much of the work that the CHA does with students and athletes is done at its sports medicine facility in Assembly Square, Somerville.



Dr. Rob Nicoletta serves the Director of the CHA Sports Medicine Program. Dr. Nicoletta is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. The CHA provides physical therapy, training and surgery for the Blazers, Breakers and Militia as well as full medical services at each team's home games. According to Nicoletta, there is a staff of one physician, physician assistant and trainer on hand providing service for each home game for both teams. Nicoletta said that the CHA sports medicine team does not travel to away games since the home team in each league is responsible for providing medical services both the visiting and home team.

The CHA was approached by each team to provide services for their home games as well as for physical training and therapy. The sports medicine program continues to grow not just with professional sports but with colleges and the local community especially Somerville.

Lesley College and Bunker Hill Community College are amongst the CHA's top two college clients according to Nicoletta.

The CHA houses a 23,000 square foot facility at Assembly Square in Somerville that provides physical therapy and training not just to athletes but to non-athletes as well. It is one of the premier sports medicine centers in the entire region, that offers a variety of care such as orthopedic, podiatry, physical therapy, and athletic training services all under one roof.

The facility also provides a number of services which include assessment and treatment of injury (both surgical and non-surgical), physical therapy as well as on-site x-ray service.

The organization peaks the interest of patients by doing community outreach which stresses living a healthier lifestyle. The Sports Medicine Program provides lectures to local schools about the benefits of exercise and how it can lead to a healthier and happier life.

The facility offers a number of programs for everyone of all athletic levels. One of the programs offered deals with injury prevention which addresses the treatment and care of sports-related injuries. The CHA offers one of the top sports medicine programs in the Greater Boston area and it is the hope of Dr. Nicoletta that residents take advantage of the facilities offered to residents of the local area and beyond.

The CHA has a sports medicine symposium each Spring that actively engages local schools and educates them about health and exercise. The outreach seems to have resulted in more people coming to the facility according to Nicoletta. The number of patient visits has increased and this has resulted in the hiring of more doctors and trainers.

Nicoletta said that patients find it very convenient to get to the Assembly Square facility especially if they live in Somerville. The CHA facility is a regular medical practice that accepts patients of all stripes, many of which come from referrals. Nicoletta emphasized that it is not a walk-in medical facility.

Through community outreach the CHA has certainly established itself as one of the top sports medicine practices in the area. With its state-of-the-art facility, the organization has a great appeal to local students and has attracted the interest of local sports franchises. Those who are interested in learning more about the CHA sports medicine facility can visit www.chasportsmedicine.com. The CHA is there to help everyone learn to live and healthier lifestyle.

 

Comments are closed.