(JANUARY 19, 2023) Katherine Dolbec, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine, was among more than 200 medical professionals on hand to help anyone in need of assistance at the 2023 FISU (Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire [International University Sports Federation]) World University Games January 12–22 in Lake Placid, New York, NBC5 reported.

“The chief medical officer, Tracey Viola [D.O., adjunct assistant professor of family medicine], and I had worked together on the Lake Placid Iron Man medical team,” Dolbec said. “She reached out little over a year ago and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to be in charge of these games. Would you be willing to work with me on this?’”

Other UVM-affiliated volunteers at the event included C. J. Corddry, a UVM Medical Center (UVMMC) nurse, and Nicole Killian, a former UVMMC nurse practitioner who now works at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh.

“The experiences and people you meet is all worth it,” Corddry said.

“I was looking for a way to get back into the community,” Killian explained. “I thought this would be a way to get to know some sports medicine and have some fun.” She added, “Hopefully, they don’t need our services, but we’re there if they need them.”

The World University Games, founded in 1949, is the largest international winter multi-sport event for student-athletes. More than 2,500 participants from over 50 countries gather for 11 days of sports competitions in 9 compulsory sports and up to 3 optional sports.