2024 20th Annual Cutting Edge Sports Medicine Conference Welcomes 600+ Attendees
In a milestone 20th year, the Orlando Orthopaedic Center Foundation hosted the 2024 Cutting Edge Sports Medicine Conference on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Rosen Centre Hotel, continuing its tradition of excellence in advancing orthopaedic education.
The conference is a special one-day event, spearheaded by distinguished experts in sports medicine from around the country. The sessions delivered cutting-edge insights into orthopaedic and musculoskeletal treatment advancements, specifically tailored for sports medicine applications.
“We’re incredibly proud to mark the 20th year of the Cutting Edge Sports Medicine Conference with over 600 attendees, celebrating a milestone of innovation and education,” says Orlando Orthopaedic Center Sports Medicine & Community Marketing Manager Andy Reber, the event’s organizer and moderator. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a success. Together, we’re setting new standards in sports medicine for the betterment of athletes and patients alike; and I’m excited to see what the future holds for patient care and the Cutting Edge Conference.”
Designed to bolster the proficiency and knowledge of healthcare providers, including physical therapists and athletic trainers, the program aimed at enhancing the quality of care for athletes and expediting their return to peak performance. Attendees were also offered the opportunity to earn valuable Continuing Education Units (CEUs) at an affordable rate.
Foundation’s Philanthropic Effort
Highlighting its commitment to the community, the Orlando Orthopaedic Center Foundation contributed $2,500 to UCF Physical Therapy Research. The foundation’s generosity, through its biannual conferences, has culminated in more than $50,000 in donations to support UCF’s Physical Therapy Research Department and Athletic Trainers’ Association since the inception of the conference.
Proceeds from the conference fund the Orlando Orthopaedic Center Foundation Scholarship, awarded to a deserving UCF student atheltic trainer, and the Chris Payer Honorary Sports Medicine Schoarship awarded to a local athletic training student aide.
For more event photos, visit our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/orlandoortho/.
Innovative Education and Initiatives
The 20th edition featured an enriching lineup of lectures by top physicians and specialists, alongside panel discussions that explored the forefront of surgical techniques and therapies in sports medicine. The presentations covered a wide array of topics, including new treatments for common injuries affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, and more, aimed at safely returning athletes to their passion.
“I’ve been coming to the Orlando Ortho conferences for 20 years, from the inception when we were in a little room with about 50 of us and now it’s over 500 to 700 people every time,” says Nadine De Freitas, DPT, PT, LAT, ATC. “It’s an amazing conference. You always learn the most cutting edge orthopedic procedures, as well as research and rehab. It’s a chance to meet with colleagues, touch base with the physicians, and always entertaining.”
The proceeds from the conference further the Orlando Orthopaedic Center Foundation’s mission to help young athletes develop a lifetime of healthy habits playing the sports they love.
Discover more about the Orlando Orthopaedic Center Foundation, a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, here.
