HISA Names Members Of New Medical Advisory Committee Focused On Jockey Health

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has named the members of its newly-established Medical Advisory Committee, a group of leading medical professionals with a broad range of specialties from across the United States who will provide expert guidance on matters related to jockey health, safety and well-being, a press release from the regulator said on Thursday.

The committee will advise HISA's executive team and standing committees by offering recommendations on best practices for jockey safety, reviewing proposed rules and providing insight on medical protocols involving jockey care, injury prevention, emergency response and other relevant health and safety topics.

“Establishing this committee marks a significant step in our mission to prioritize the health and safety of our jockeys, whose well-being is paramount,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We're looking forward to working with an experienced group of medical experts who will help us continue building an ecosystem of care that sets a new standard for the sport.”

“By bringing together sports medical professionals from across the country, we aim to continue developing and refining best practices that protect the health of our riders–both proactively and in response to injuries sustained while riding,” added Dr. Peter Hester, HISA's National Medical Director and an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine in Lexington, KY.

Members of the HISA Medical Advisory Committee are:

• Brian Adkins–Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine;
• Mark R. Allen–Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio;
• Howard S. Bush–Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University;
• Douglas J. Casa–CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute;
• Angelo A. Chinnici–Medical Director of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority;
• Marc Cormier–Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky;
• Shae Datta–Co-Director of the New York University Langone Concussion Center;
• Barth A. Green–Executive Dean for Global Health and Community Service and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Chair in Neurosurgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine;
• Dr. Nicholas Theodore–Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.