Medicine at the Rodeo
Since 2004, the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. (S.A.L.E.) has provided more than $1.2 million in scholarships to outstanding students in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). One of UTHSCSA’s goal is to provide students practice, within their profession, in the rural and medically underserved regions of South/Central Texas. Each year, two of the scholarship recipients volunteer with the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Medical Committee.
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Medical Committee has greatly evolved over the past few years, along with the rodeo, to better assist Stock Show participants, volunteers and visitors. This committee began fifteen years ago. Prior to its formation, the late Dr. “Sonny” Marlowe coordinated all medical efforts with only four medics! Dr. Marlowe was dedicated to the Stock Show and spent his two-weeks’ vacation each year camping out on the grounds of the show. He practiced as a family doctor to the numerous volunteers. The committee was small and delivered very personal care. This developed the caring attitude which continues to grow every year within the Medical Committee.
Now comprised of 39 members, the Medical Committee stipulates that each volunteer must commit to a total of 96 hours over the course of 3 years. These members include doctors, dentists, nurses, physician’s assistants, paramedics, EMTs, trainers, massage therapists and basic first aid personnel. While the 18-day Stock Show is running, 400 volunteers donate their time in 4-8 hour shift increments.
The Medical Committee mans three first aid stations throughout the rodeo grounds where an average of 100 patients are seen each day. While not common, injuries can occur at the Livestock Show. The most serious is the respiratory distress which presents itself to the uninitiated. A recently implemented respiratory treatment protocol, with inhalation treatments early in the course of an allergic reaction, has been initiated and has resulted in lives being saved. The many ICU and ER nurses and doctors volunteering their time and expertise resulted in a more effective treatment plan.
The Medical Committee is also responsible for the rodeo contestants’ medical well being. A team of Sports Medicine doctors tend to 15-20 rodeo contestants each night between the hours of 5-11 p.m. The aid rendered to the rodeo contestant has grown from adequate to the best in the medical community. Those who are interested in sports medicine recognized that immediate care of the injured is important. There is always an on-site ambulance, physician, athletic trainer and first responders during the Rodeo. Athletic trainers from the local high schools and colleges, as well as doctors’ offices are always present. These individuals are the first responders in well-organized athletic events and are trained and practiced care givers who specialize in athletics. They, as well as the physicians and the EMTs, practice evacuation and stabilization of the athletes every day in their regular occupation. It is not unusual for S.A.L.E. athletic trainers and the EMTs to outperform the MDs in field intubation and stabilization. They are that good!
The Medical Committee is also concerned with keeping the rodeo grounds safe. This safety precaution is an extra measure to prevent future accidents. Members of the insurance industry have stated that the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the safest public functions of its size in the nation.
The eighteen-day-long rodeo is the chief activity of the medical committee; however, they also provide medical care for seven other S.A.L.E. events during the year. In addition to the medical care, the committee also provides first aid training to other committees. Some of the training includes CPR, signs and symptoms of illnesses and how to report a medical incident.
“At this time, one can be assured that the Medical Committee is a group of volunteers with the expertise and the desire to care for anyone visiting the San Antonio Livestock and Exposition,” says Dr. Keith Markey, Chairman of the S.A.L.E. Medical Committee. The medical committee is growing and welcomes all medical personnel who are interested in community service to join the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Medical Committee. For more information, please call (210) 225-5851 or visit www.sarodeo.com.
Keith L. Markey, MD is a board certified Orthopedic Surgeon with an additional specialty in Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgery. He is a member of BCMS and has been in practice for 30 years.
