Daily Archives: January 7, 2010

The sport of rodeo is about to undergo its own version of healthcare reform. Beginning this month, rodeo athletes will have the ability to access medical providers across the United States and Canada through the Rodeo Medicine Referral System, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

Rodeo is an individual sport, unlike any other in the world. Rodeo athletes are required to enter themselves in events and travel to competitions throughout North America. Many cowboys and cowgirls have rigorous competition schedules requiring travel to multiple cities, hundreds of miles apart, in short periods of time. The very physical nature of the sport ensures that many rodeo athletes will likely be injured at some point in their careers.

“This program will establish a network of healthcare providers across the United States and Canada who have a genuine interest in treating rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. In addition, the providers will assist these athletes in getting appropriate, definitive care when they get back home,” says Mark Brandenburg, M.D., Tulsa emergency physician and medical director of the Rodeo Medicine Referral System. (read more)