Hempfield's accomplished physician Dr. James Masterson became a little more distinguished recently when he was announced as a recipient of the Team Physician Honorary Membership award by the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainer's Society.
“It feels great, especially considering where the award comes (from),” Masterson said. “Athletic trainers are the heart and soul of sports medicine. They are the front line and really the ones who know the kids the best. I rely an awful lot on their knowledge not only of sports medicine, but of the particular athlete's personality and any compounding situation that there may be. To be recognized by this group means a great deal to me.”
Since 2004, Masterson has served the Spartans as team physician, a position he also holds at Seton Hill University. By day, Masterson is the director of sports medicine for Excela Health in Greensburg.
Masterson practices sports medicine with an emphasis on concussion management. He made Hempfield one of the first school districts in the country to implement computer neurocognitive testing to improve concussion management.
Masterson earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and then received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1987.
According to the PATS, “The recipients have proven themselves to be of immeasurable value while working alongside athletic trainers in caring for Pennsylvania's athletes.”
“We stress at our office that we want every patient who comes through to feel like we bent over backwards to help them,” Masterson said. “I really want them to leave with a very positive feeling. It gets a little complicated, but when you consider what is going on in adolescent brain development, I really do believe that a positive encounter, even if it's only one, can make a difference.”
Being around the student-athletes so often results in the forming of bonds. Masterson aims to provide far more to his patients than a quick treatment, no matter the situation.
“It's not always good news, but I think the young athlete can take bad news of having to miss some time better if they really sense that you care about them,” Masterson said.
“We don't limit our office conversations to the injury, but try to find out what each kid's goals are in their sport and in life.”
Masterson, 53, is married to his wife Carrie. The couple has two daughters: Carlie, a former Hempfield tennis player and current Duquesne law school student, and Lexi, a record-setting pole vaulter at Penn State.
“I spend a lot of time working, but I think my family knows how much I enjoy it and they understand,” Masterson said. “I have been really blessed to be able to do the work I do and to be around some great kids. If anyone is worried about our country's future, I would tell them to come spend a day with me because I am around awesome kids all day long.”
Ed Phillipps is a freelance writer.
