Though she won't be wearing a helmet or pads, AnMed's Dr. Andrea Pitts will play a critically important role during Anderson University's inaugural football season this fall. Pitts, a staff member at AnMed Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, will be on the sidelines to care for players during the Trojans' home games on Spero Financial Field at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium.
She and her team at AnMed are also available to Anderson University athletes before and after kickoffs.
The highly anticipated football season starts Sept. 7, when Anderson University plays host to St. Andrews University.
"It will be a new adventure, and it will be very exciting," Pitts said. "I think it will be good for the school. I think it will be great for Anderson County as a whole." >
Preparing to care for injuries that are part of football
Anticipation has been building since the start of the new program was announced in 2019. The school turned to AnMed, a partner in several clinical and educational realms already, for support, care and expertise.
Pitts is excited, too, though she said her eagerness is tempered with a "little trepidation" because she won't merely be a fan. Athletes will be depending on her.
Injuries happen in football, and Pitts certainly expects to be called on during a game at some point.
"My job as a sports medicine provider is to plan for the unexpected," Pitts said.
Pitts said the most common football-related injuries that she is preparing to treat include concussions, and sprained and strained joints like ankles, knees and shoulders.'
She will evaluate players who are injured and refer them to AnMed Orthopedic and Sports Medicine surgeons if necessary.
As the team practices this summer, Pitts and staff are helping players focus on hydration and nutrition to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Anderson University football coach Bobby Lamb appreciates the support of AnMed
Anderson University head football coach Bobby Lamb said he is thankful that Dr. Pitts and AnMed will be available to care for his team's players.
"College football is well known to be a physical game, and with that comes the understanding that injuries will occur, no matter how many steps we take to prevent them," Lamb said. "Here at Anderson, we are blessed to have Pitts and her team at the ready with the knowledge and skillset that we need to get our players back to 100% and out on the field as quickly as possible.
"Dr. Pitts works harmoniously in conjunction with our sports medicine staff here on campus, and both serve a key role in the prevention, treatment and eventual rehabilitation of injuries for us. Without the support of Pitts and her team, along with the Anderson sports medicine and sports performance staffs, we would be woefully unprepared to take the field, and we cannot thank them enough for their time and commitment to our student-athletes."
A passion for athletics led Dr. Andrea Pitts to sports medicine
Pitts is an Anderson University alumna who played college volleyball.
"Being an active person is something that I have always valued for myself," Pitts said.
While she originally planned to be a pediatrician, her love for athletic competition ultimately led her to sports medicine as a specialty.
And at AnMed, she's remained involved in Anderson University.
AnMed and Anderson University have had a lengthy relationship. As the medical director and head team physician for university athletics, Pitts spends two half-days on campus each week.
She has won national awards in research with the American Medical Society on Sports Medicine.
"I really enjoy the population of college athletics," she said. "They are very enjoyable to take care of."
Caring for the university's student-athletes can involve more than medical treatment, Pitts said.
"They are a little bit vulnerable. They are away from home for the first time," she said. "Sometimes they just need somebody that they can come talk to and confide in."
Whatever they need, the doctor and AnMed are ready to help.
Pitts has been at AnMed for the past 11 years. She is assistant director for the AnMed Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship.