Team HEAL Helps High School Athletes

When the great San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice stubs his toe, he is surrounded by a team of concerned physicians and trainers who make sure the living legend is not seriously injured.

A program known as Team HEAL is on a mission to bring that same level of care to athletes in Los Angeles’ inner-city high schools .

Team HEAL (Helping to Enrich Athletes’ Lives) is a privately supported medical and athletic training program for students at Dorsey and Crenshaw high schools.

The program is the brainchild of Dr. Clarence Shields of the renowned Kerlan/Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, and it has already worked with more than 3,000 young athletes since it began in 1995.

Shields, former Los Angeles Rams orthopedic surgeon, said he has had more time to devote to youngsters since the team moved to St. Louis.

Too often, Shields said, injured high school athletes receive improper care. “A lot of times somebody would put an Ace bandage on someone who had a torn cartilage or even a broken bone,” he said.

The goal of Team HEAL is to provide comprehensive athletic training, equipment and medical support to high schools. The program also exposes students to career opportunities in sports medicine through its apprenticeship program for athletic trainers.

A fund-raiser to benefit the project will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the City of Angels Church, 5550 Grosvenor Blvd. The concert will feature singer and minister O.C. Smith, best known for his song “Little Green Apples,” and jazz vocalist Diane Schuur.

For information, call (213) 742-1058.