USA Gymnastics’ National Team Physician since 1996, Dr. Larry Nassar has announced on Facebook that he is standing down from his position following the 2014 P & G Championships will be his last championships.
2014 USA Gymnastics Championships is my 19th and final Championships that I will be helping to organize. In 1996 the USAG Board of Directors appointed me as the first National Team Medical Coordinator. It has been a volunteer position that I have enjoyed over the years. Working closely with Debbie Van Horn we have carried on the tradition of being an athlete’s advocate established by our mentor Jack Rockwell, PT, ATC. We have expanded our staff and advanced the care of gymnasts. I have greatly enjoyed mentoring so many medical staff members over the years.
As the dynamics of USA Gymnastics have evolved over the years, the need for my volunteer position became outdated. We evolved into a Medical Task Force in 2013 and then as of August 1, 2014 started the Athlete Care Coordinator position. This new paid position has allowed me to move forward with my ability to retire from my position as the National Team Medical Coordinator. The hardest thing for a mentor to do is to know when it is best to step down and let those that you mentored step forward.
Since the 2008 Olympics, I have been preparing for this day and working hard at advancing our medical staff and mentoring them to someday move forward and take USA Gymnastics into the next level of medical care. I was going to retire after the 2012 Olympics but I felt the time was not right then.
Former gymnast, Dr. David Kruse, will now be the Athlete Care Coordinator. I have mentored Dr. Kruse throughout his medical school, residency and fellowship and as he began his career as a physician. I fought for him to be the first primary care physician to oversee the USAG Men’s Artistic Program. I am hopeful he will be a good leader in his new position as I retire from mine.I am hopeful that with the guidance of the USAG Medical Task Force as a whole, our athletes will continue to receive the best medical care available. My continued advice is to always be the athlete’s advocate, always. I am hopeful that my mentoring that it is our responsibility to enhance the health of our gymnasts so that with improved health they can extend their performance. Health must come before performance. For, without good health, it is more difficult to have a good performance. Gymnasts on our national team have worked so very hard to achieve the ability to represent the USA at international competitions. When one of the gymnast’s is injured at an international event like the World Championships or Olympics, it is so important to work as hard as possible to keep them physically and mentally prepared to perform. I remember the very few times that a gymnast had to be replaced at one of these events due to injury and the memories still brings tears to my eyes.
My parting advice to those that I have mentored is to always be the athlete’s advocate. When they are injured and are mentally and physically down, they are counting on you to help prepare them to be able to successfully compete. The gymnast has put forth a World Class effort to achieve the right to perform with USA on their leotard, and it is vital for you to put forth a World Class effort too.
I plan on staying as the USA Gymnastics Women’s Artistic National Team Physician overseeing the medical care of the Women’s Program until at least 2016. I have been mentoring physicians to move up and take more responsibilities with Women’s Program over the years and when Marta Karolyi steps down from her position, it may just be the perfect time for me to step down from my role with the women’s program. I will stay engaged, of course, with the program in some manner.
I started with the USGF/USAG Women’s National Staff in 1986. In 2016 it will be my 30th year with the National Team. Again, the hardest thing for a mentor to do is to know when to let those you mentor move ahead as you step aside. So, I will get use to supporting from behind instead of pulling up from the lead.Thank you everyone for all your support!
In his letter of resignation to the Board, Larry has stated that he will remain on with the Women’s Artistic program. He also posted this on Facebook.
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