NEWS RELEASE: McKay-Dee Hospital Orthopedic Surgeon, Physical Therapist Provide Medical Support at 2018 Winter Olympics

February 7, 2018

OGDEN, Utah – Dr. Jeff Harrison, an orthopedic surgeon at Intermountain McKay-Dee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, is the Head Team Physician for the U.S. Women’s Alpine Ski Team and will be representing the United States as medical staff during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Doug Flint, a physical therapist at Intermountain McKay-Dee Sports Medicine, is also traveling to South Korea to provide medical support for Sweden and Norway’s moguls teams during the Winter Games.

As the Head Team Physician, Dr. Harrison will help ensure Olympic Medal hopefuls like Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin stay healthy throughout the Winter Olympics. He will oversee all medical care for the ten women on the U.S. Alpine Ski Team. He will also evaluate and treat injuries on the hill if the need arises, but hopes that the athletes complete all their runs safely.

Dr. Harrison has been a member of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association physician pool since 1998, and he is an expert orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder surgery at home. Dr. Harrison has provided medical care to world-class athletes on and off the slopes for years. He has lent his medical expertise to five world championships and served as the Venue Medical Officer at Snowbasin Resort during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah.

“I’m looking forward to going to South Korea,” Dr. Harrison said. “I’ve never been to Asia, so that’s going to be exciting. Ski races are all somewhat similar, but I think the cultural exchange is what I’m looking forward to most.”

“It will also be exciting because the U.S. is going to have a really good team this year with Mikaela and Lindsey,” Harrison continued. “I think we’re going to win some medals.”

In addition to Shiffrin and Vonn, Dr. Harrison also said to keep an eye out for Breezy Johnson and Stacey Cook, who each have a good shot at medaling this year.

Flint, a physical therapist at Intermountain Sports Medicine McKay-Dee Hospital, is also traveling to South Korea for the Winter Olympics. He is team physiotherapist for Sweden and Norway’s moguls teams and keeps those athletes healthy and conditioned to compete for their nations.

Flint is responsible for assessing and managing injuries, but devotes a great deal of his effort to preventing those injuries through proper warm ups, custom workouts, and proper exercise recovery.

“On competition days, I take care of last-minute physical issues, check equipment, and fit them into their skis properly,” said Flint. “I also assist the head coach at the starting line with any other issues that come up.”

Flint has worked as a physical therapist with many teams throughout his career. He has worked with the U.S., Sweden, Norway, and many other countries throughout 40 World Cup events, four World Championships, and now two Olympic Games.

During the 2018 Olympics, Flint recommends keeping an eye out for Hedvig Wessel and Vinjar Slatten from Norway and Ludwig Fjalstrom from Sweden, who has recovered from a surgical A.C.L. repair well in just ten months.

Though Flint and Dr. Harrison are providing medical expertise at the Olympic Games, they work very closely with local athletes of all abilities. When asked about everyday skiers staying safe on the slopes, Dr. Harrison said:

“Fitness level is very important. Also, there are ways to fall that are better than others. If you fall forward instead of backward, you have a better chance at avoiding an ACL tear.”

Dr. Harrison also emphasized fitting equipment properly, not using old equipment, and wearing a helmet to reduce your risk of injury.

Both Intermountain caregivers are excited for the opportunity to care for some of the world’s top athletes during the 2018 Olympics. With an excellent snowpack and cold winter weather, South Korea’s Winter Games will make for gripping competition.

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Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Caregivers supporting Olympic Athletes during 2018 Winter Games in South Korea