By Dr. Elan Goldwaser, Sports Medicine Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Irving Medical Center 

Mar. 31, 2021: At the end of February 2020, right before the world shut down, I was covering an Alpine World Cup event in Japan as a team doctor for USA Skiing. While there, the athletes and coaching staff were starting to become nervous about the virus and didn’t know how to protect themselves. \

As I explained basic sanitation skills, other doctors from Italy and Germany overheard me and asked if I could come teach their athletes as well. I suddenly found myself informally lecturing to elite athletes from around the world on things as simple as handwashing, mask-wearing, surface sanitization, and not touching your face. We hadn’t yet known the true nature of COVID transmission, but I realized how much the rest of the world looks to Americans not only as role models but also for up-to-date information.  

Back at home, I’m also a team physician for Fordham University athletics, as well as covering for multiple colleges and schools in the New York area. As we came out of lockdown, I helped write and implement COVID protocols across these schools to maximize safety and allow sports to happen safely this year, so I like to think that I’ve been on the front line of restarting sports for the New York region. 

For many people, athletics is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life, a necessity to keep a well-balanced and healthy mind and body. That’s been my number one mantra this past year as we constantly figure out how to keep people moving in a responsible way. 

Sports has always been part of my life, and the Armory holds a special place in my heart. I used to run track and cross country in high school, and we’d go to the Armory to compete. 

When I joined the orthopedics department at NewYork Presbyterian/Columbia Irving Medical Center, I would cover events at the Armory and also became a medical director for the Millrose Games, which were held there. 

When the opportunity came to volunteer to help with vaccination efforts at the Armory, I jumped at the opportunity. That day, working my shift, it was a surreal experience standing on the infield and taking in how the entire place had been converted into this mass vaccination site. A lot of the patients were very excited. Some of them were crying. There was a lot of catharsis, and for me, new memories made.  

For more information on Doctor's Day visit https://healthmatters.nyp.org/

Pictured:  Dr. Elan Goldwaser

Photo courtesy NYP