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UCF physicians are Orlando's top docs.
Dr. Leonardo Oliveira, UCF Pegasus Health’s sports medicine physician and assistant professor at the UCF College of Medicine, was invited recently to lecture on sports concussion management and cardiovascular conditions involving athletes. The presentation was part of CORA Rehabilitation Athletic Training’s National Athletic Training Month celebrations.
“I received a lot of great comments from the attendees on your presentations as well as how nice the facility was,” said Marisa Brunett, CORA’s Florida regional vice president for sports medicine. “Your time and energy putting the presentations together and joining the area’s athletic trainers to celebrate National Athletic Training Month are very much appreciated.”
Led by Dr. Oliveira, UCF Pegasus Health evaluates and treats patients with sports concussions. Dr. Oliveira says education of athletes and their parents is key in preventing serious injuries.“If an athlete has symptoms such as headache, neck pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light and noise or poor balance, that person should not return to play,” he said.
Moreover, he said, before young athletes of any age participate in sports, they need appropriate medical evaluation and parents must be involved in preparing their child’s pre-participation health questionnaires.
Before coming to the UCF College of Medicine and Pegasus Health, Dr. Oliveira completed his residency with distinction at the Cleveland Clinic, where he completed a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship. While there, he served as the team physician for John Carroll University and Bedford High School, and provided medical coverage at several events such as MAC Basketball tournament, wrestling competitions and running events such as the Cleveland Marathon.