First of all, we at USADSF are hoping everyone is safe and healthy and have adjusted to the new way of life we are experiencing right now. We look forward to when the curve is flattening and receiving optimistic news in California and NYC that this is happening, showing a glitter of hope. It is happening here in Denver, too where I live so there is hope, as long as we all stay united in staying home, staying safe, following safety precautions.
We now have the biographies of our Medical Commission Team, they are listed here on our transcript below. They now have an email address: medical@usdeafsports.org. Athletes or coaches, please feel free to contact them with any medical inquiries. We are excited to have support from our Medical Commission Team.
Here is a resource link for your information, CDC (Center for Disease and Control Prevention) has released an ASL series video on COVID-19. Please see link here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsfUB4RKh6J).
We are working with our NSOs (National Sports Organizations) to develop coach and athlete criteria for each sport. We are excited to announce that our bowling criteria for both head coach and athletes are now posted under the USADSF Bowling page (https://usadeafsports.org/sports/summer/bowling/)
We are excited to announce a weekly "SPOTLIGHT with Noah", our media specialist intern, who will be doing weekly interviews with former and current athletes, coaches and directors. STAY TUNED!
Again, do remain positive and safe. Remember, every storm runs out of rain. Together we will overcome this.
USADSF Medical Commission Bios:
Dr Kenneth Bielak is a Board Certified Family Physician with an additional qualification in Sports Medicine. His Medical Degree is from Michigan State University and after completing his residency in Family Medicine he pursued additional training in Sports Medicine at the Hughston Orthopaedic Clinic in Columbus, Georgia. He has been involved in caring for the “athlete in all of us” but especially Special Olympics, High School Football, Golden Glove Boxing and minor league hockey, the Knoxville Icebears. He is credentialled as a USA ringside physician and a member of the medical pool for USA Ski and Snowboard.
Ilana Bell is currently in her 5th year as Head Athletic Trainer at Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, DC. While completing her B.S. in Athletic Training at George Mason University, she spent a semester at Gallaudet University as an athletic training intern. Past experiences include the 2019 Winter Deaflympics, 2017 Summer Deaflympics, 2016 Deaf World Volleyball Championships, the 2013 and 2016 National Deaf Girls Basketball Camp, and the 2015 World Police and Fire Games. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science. When not working, Ilana coaches ice skating and plays ice hockey.
Tom McKnight, while growing up in New England, spent hours and hours playing and participating in many different sports at various levels. He currently lives in Washington, DC and is in his seventh year working as an athletic trainer for Gallaudet University, where he is also an adjunct for biology and physical education departments. Tom obtained bachelor’s degrees in physical education and biology with honors from Gallaudet in 2010 and a master’s degree in athletic training from Shenandoah University in 2013. He already has extensive international experience attending various events such as Deaflympic Games and World Championships, and looking forward to doing more in the near future. To challenge himself and further his education, he will start his doctoral studies at Concordia University Chicago this fall focusing on health and human performance
Tiffany Williams has over 20 years experience as a multi-sport athlete, sports administrator nationally and globally. She oversaw three Deaflympics and many World Championships during her tenure as CEO of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD). Tiffany earned a Masters of Advanced Studies in Sports Administration and Technology degree from the International Academy of Sport Science and Technology at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. During the 2014-2017 Deaflympic Quad, she was a special consultant for ICSD and also sat on ICSD Audiogram and Anti-Doping Commissions.