University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Nanook Sports Medicine

Nanook Sports Medicine Forms

Mission Statement – To help provide for the physical and mental well being of all UAF student athletes through the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of athletic related injuries and where appropriate the referral of the injured Nanook athlete to the appropriate medical provider.

The UAF Training Room is located in room 101 in the Patty Center. Hours of operation often vary from semester to semester based on when individual sports are in-season. If you need assistance please call 474-6801 or 474-2435 to set an appointment outside of regular team hours, all emergencies call 911.

Pre-participation exam/medical evaluation – The NCAA requires a pre-participation medical exam of all new athletes as well as transfer student-athletes upon entrance to an NCAA institution. Returning student-athletes are required to fill out an updated medical history and may be referred to a physician if the situation dictates. The Athletic department provides this service each year at the beginning of every fall session. If you suspect there may be conflicts please contact the Sports Medicine staff.  Student-Athletes have a responsibility to truthfully disclose their medical history and to report any changes in their health to the team’s heath-care provider. If you are currently under the care of a physician for an ongoing illness or diagnosed condition you must arrive in Fairbanks with a copy of ALL of your medical records or you may not be allowed to practice and or play. 

Medical records will be kept confidential in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA restricts healthcare providers from sharing information with anyone who doesn’t need it. For us at UAF that means only the athlete, team or treating physician, and the staff athletic trainer/s should have access to medical information unless specific permission (in writing) is given by the athlete. You may be asked to sign a release form that allows this information to be passed on to your coach. If you do not sign this form the coach can keep you from participating in practice or competition until you do.

 
If you are injured and the athletic trainer working with your sport is not aware of it you need to inform him/her so that an immediate evaluation can be made. If it is determined that your injury can be dealt with in house (UAF Training Room), then an appropriate rehab program will be developed. If a referral to a physician is necessary then that specific athletic trainer will initiate the process for you to see our team physician. All new injuries that need to be seen by a doctor must first be seen by our team physician or one of his staff, there are no exceptions. If an athlete seeks the advice of another physician or any other medical professional without a referral from the UAF head athletic trainer or team physician he/she will be responsible for all medical expenses.
If a student-athlete is accidentally injured and generates medical expenses associated with the accident, all claims must be filed first with the student or parent’s personal insurance company. If a balance remains after the personal insurance company has paid its maximum, that balance then will be submitted to the schools accident insurance company.  The schools insurance policy covers only new accidents that are sustained during competition or supervised UAF practice. Any bills related to injuries that fall into the above category should be mailed to the athletic department only after first being submitted to your personal insurance company. It is therefore very important that you arrive in Fairbanks with updated insurance information so that we can assist you in the timely filing of all claims. To obtain payment consideration for unpaid balances or reimbursement, UAF must receive copies of an itemized bill from the medical provider and an explanation of benefit (EOB) from the primary insurance company.  These should be sent/faxed to:

      UAF Sports Medicine
      211 Patty Center
      Fairbanks, AK 99775
      Phone: 907-474-6801
      Fax: 907-474-5162

Pre-existing injuries, out-of-season injuries, injuries incurred during the season that are not directly related to in-season competition or supervised practice i.e., intramural injuries, or routine medical care (eye care, dental care, care for illnesses) are not covered. It is strongly recommended that a personal health and accident insurance policy be maintained for all student-athletes. 

If you decide to get a second opinion or request the services of someone other than the UAF team physician and travel outside the Fairbanks area, any travel costs or medical bills incurred are your responsibility and not the responsibility of UAF athletics. Special arrangements may be made if the UAF team physician refers you to another specialty.
If you do not have any health insurance and are injured in a scheduled, supervised practice or game that generates medical bills you will be held responsible for any unpaid deductibles or medical bills. This is why it is very important that you stay under a parent’s insurance policy if possible or that you purchase an insurance policy for yourself. International students need to be aware that a “travelers” policy that you purchase to study in the U.S. does not cover injuries that occur while participating in athletics. A special rider or alternate policy may be purchased to cover medical expenses in the event you are injured while engaged in collegiate athletics. 

Should you become ill, or come down with the “flu” your current options are:
UAF Health Center- Students pay a fee per semester as part of your fee structure to be eligible to use medical and counseling services. This may be one of your cheapest options if you are uninsured. You can call for an appointment (7043) and they also take walk-ins when there is an opening. If you prefer to get a yearly flu shot you can call ahead to check on availability and cost. You should be aware that if some tests are required or medicines prescribed (even though they are done at a reduced cost) you may be responsible for the bill.
Dr. Cary Keller, our team physician or one of his staff will visit the training room one day a week, that day typically being a Wednesday. There is no cost to the athlete but he or she may have to pay to fill their own prescription if the medicines are not available.
If you are insured you may decide to set up your own appointment at either the Urgent Care Clinic on Airport Way (452-2178) or Tanana Valley Clinic (459-3500).
 
 
Weight Room Policies:

The weight room is to be used by varsity athletes and the staff of the athletic department only.
If a coach wishes to reserve a time for their athletes to train as a team, arrangements must be made in advance with Amber or Mike.
Proper supervision is the responsibility of the coaching staff.
Violation of the weight room rules may lead to an athlete forfeiting his/her weight room privileges.
 
Weight Room Rules:

No lifting alone
No one rep maximum lifts are to be attempted without prior approval
No squatting or pressing without spotters
Shirts and shoes must be worn
Off-load all bars, return weights to proper place
No loud obnoxious music (swearing etc.)
Dietary Supplements

 
Dietary supplements-unlike medicines and other drugs- do not undergo rigorous testing and screening. The Supplement industry is full of fraudulent claims and athletes have tested positive for banned substances that they did not know were in a particular dietary supplement. Labels do not seem to guarantee safety and you are better off not using a product that you are unsure of. If you test positive for a banned substance ignorance is not an excuse
Special caution needs to be given to products containing ephedrine, e.g., Ma Huang (Chinese Ephedra, Ephedra Sinica), Mormon Tea, and Sida Cordifolia. It has been linked to the deaths of several collegiate and professional athletes and is banned by the NCAA. It is a common element of many weight loss products that has many serious side effects that can ultimately lead to heart attack, stroke, seizures and death in even young healthy athletes. Other supplements to be concerned with are the “prohormones” such as androsenedione and nor-androstenedione. The NCAA bans these precursors to testosterone and a positive test could lead to your suspension and ineligibility to play. If you have any questions about supplements please see your Athletic Trainer. All discussions will be kept confidential.