Hallmark Health providing world class care to Olympic athletes

June 13, 2011- Judo is a discipline, a means of self-defense and a way of life. It is also an Olympic sport. Former world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Jimmy Pedro, fully understands the great benefits that judo instills in students of all ages. This is especially true for the world-class athletes who come to his Wakefield studio to train for the 2012 Olympics in England.

But unfortunately intense training for the highest levels of competition can sometimes bring broken bones, severe muscle strains or other orthopedic injuries.

“When injuries occur, top athletes don’t have time to waste. I want my students to see the world-class physicians at Hallmark Health quickly so they can get an accurate diagnosis, top-notch care and access to the latest technology so they can return safely to competition as quickly as possible,” explains Pedro who is the coach of the 2012 US Olympic judo team

For several years now, Hallmark Health orthopedic surgeons, Christian Andersen, MD, and Abraham Shurland, MD have been providing orthopedic care to these top athletes from around the country who train with Pedro. Both are board-certified in orthopedic surgery and have had extensive training in sports medicine and they practice in Hallmark Health’s high quality, comprehensive Bone & Joint Program.

Dr. Andersen, who is chief of orthopedic surgery at Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford (LMH) notes, “Hallmark Health has been a leader in providing exceptional orthopedic care. Plus if surgery is indicated for these athletes, I perform them at LMH where we can perform the most advanced procedures available today.”

Dr. Shurland adds, “Judo is an intense sport and there is no limit to the range of injuries these young athletes can come in with. At Hallmark Health we treat them with the same kind of sophisticated orthopedic care you find at major teaching hospitals and work closely with these athletes to ensure they safely return to the demands of training and competition.”

Pedro believes Dr. Andersen has a distinct understanding of martial arts since he holds a black belt in karate.  “I believe that designation gives Dr. Andersen a special insight into our sport. He understands our culture and what it means to be a top athlete competing at the highest levels. When they are injured, these athletes need the superior orthopedic care so they can heal quickly and get back to the mat.”

For more information about Hallmark Health, visit www.hallmarkhealth.org or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hallmarkhealth.

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Hallmark Health System is the premier, charitable provider of vital health services to Boston's northern communities. The system includes Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford; Melrose Wakefield Hospital, Melrose; Hallmark Health Cancer Center, Stoneham; The CHEM Center for MRI, Stoneham; Hallmark Health Medical Center, Reading; Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice; Lawrence Memorial/Regis College Nursing and Radiography Programs, Medford and Hallmark Health Medical Associates, Inc. Hallmark Health is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital for cardiology and Tufts Medical Center for neonatology.