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The Young Athletes We Help
The SDSMF accepts applications from young athletes (ages 10 to 18) that have a sports related injury which requires further medical evaluation and due to unforeseen reasons the athlete does not have medical insurance and/or limited financial means to pay for or receive the costly medical attention required.  Amongst the thousands of youth seen and treated since 2002 at our injury clinics and pre-participation physicals, over fifty of these athletes have needed an MRI and/or surgery to return to sports.  Below lists the names of the San Diego young athletes who have received medical or surgical care from the SDSMF.
 

Listed in alphabetical order by last name:

  • David Abdi (2006)
  • Maria Elena Avila (2007)
  • Cory Beeson, II (2004)
  • John-Paul Bolwahnn (2006)
  • Chen Cai (2009)
  • Tony Calhoun (2007)
  • Adolfo Castellano (2005)
  • Shelby Caverelli (2006)
  • Raul Cervantes (2004)
  • Paul Cortes (2008)
  • Ramon Cruz (2009)
  • Travis Davidson (2003)
  • Anton Dawson
  • Aaron Diaz (2009)
  • Samantha Dixon (2009)
  • Sean Ferguson (2006)
  • Mark Flores (2007)
  • Fontayne Fuga (2008)

Some of the young athletes stories are highlighted below.

 

  • Elizabeth Garcia (2007)
  • Abraham Gertz (2009)
  • Joshua Gonzales (2004)
  • Carlos Gonzalez (2008)
  • Darius Guillory (2010)
  • RathDavid Hy (2008)
  • Jamaar Jarrett (2007)
  • Juwaun Jones (2004)
  • Garrett "Bear" Lewis (2010)
  • Genaro Luna (2007)
  • Darrell Mack (2004) & (2009)
  • Eduardo Mancilla (2010)
  • Kyle McGriff (2008)
  • Josh Mendoza (2009)
  • Andrew Misipeka (2004)
  • Stanton Moaalii (2007)
  • Kodi Moneymaker (2004)
  • Guillermo Moreno (2007)
  • Darryl Mosley (2003)

 

  • Federico Osuna (2007)
  • Corey Page (2004)
  • Dilyn Rickard (2003)
  • Lynnsey Riley (2006)
  • Wytnee Riley (2005)
  • Enrique Rios (2007)
  • Leslie Rogers (2009)
  • Abigail Rosas (2009)
  • Abraham Ruc (2004)
  • Tommy Sanchez (2005)
  • Patrick Schneeman (2009)
  • Derek Shaw (2004)
  • Daniel Smith (2008)
  • Savelina "Lina" (2006)
  • Brittany Webb (2009)
  • Zachery Weir (2005)
  • Kesia Williams (2009)
  • Matt Winston (2005) 


Darrel Mack Monte Vista High School
Darrel Mack – Monte Vista High School – ACL surgery recipient (2005)

Aubrey Darrel Mack aka Darrell, a senior running back at Monte Vista High School, and was the lead rusher in San Diego County in 2004.  He was awarded the First Team All state, all CIF east county MVP, Union Tribune first team, 2004 All-American. Darrell was on the fast track to a full scholarship to almost any college he wanted, and then came the final quarter of the CIF Final competition when he tore is ACL ligament in his knee.

The foundation did assist Darrel in getting surgery and physical therapy. Without help from the Foundation, Darrell would not have been able to be the first person in his family to go to college.  His grandmother, who raised him, would not have been able to afford even two-year junior college tuition.  With a lot of hard work and dedication to getting his knee back to par, Darrel has committed to play football on a full scholarship to University of Utah.


Garrett "Bear" Lewis
Garrett "Bear" Lewis - Otay Ranch High School - Torn ACL and Fractured Femur

SDSMF's current candidate Garrett "Bear" Lewis is a 15-year-old soon-to-be sophomore at Otay ranch High School. Bear just started playing football last year and became a starting fullback and starting outside linebacker for the team, to compliment his other passion, soccer, playing on the varsity team. Bear is a 4.0 student in accelerated classes and wants to play three sports during high school - football, soccer and volleyball. He is pained by the idea of watching the games from the sidelines, and wants SDSMF to help him get back in the games so he can stay on track to achieving his goals.

Bear's father is a self-employed construction contractor and his business has suffered during the down economy. He has not been able to afford health coverage so at the time of Bear's injury in October of '09 he didn't have health insurance. As a result, he wasn't able to play in the rest of the football season and had to miss a season of soccer. Sports are a big part of Bear's family and he would liek to follow in his brother's footsteps, who was a four-year letterman in three different sports.

This scholar athlete plans to obtain an athletic or academic scholarship and attend UCLA after high school. He understands that being a student athlete is a challenge, but playing sports helps him stay focused on school. He is a leader and is looked up to by his fellow teammates because of his confidence on and off the field. With SDSMF's help, Bear will be able to follow in his brother's footsteps and pursue greatness- both as an athlete and as a student.
Abraham Gertz
Abraham Gertz - Soille Hebrew Day School - ACL and Meniscus Surgery Recipient

In March of 2009 Abraham Gertz a 14-year-old club soccer and football player at Soille Hebreq Day School was referred to the foundation by one of Dr. Chao's physician assistants who learned that the family was struggling to pay for the MRI and additional treatment. The Gertz family is under significant financial stress right now - his mother is unemployed and his father has a commission based sales job with no medical benefits.

The family's Cobra plan ran out in January, and they weren'r able to afford to continue the plan. During this time Abraham was injured. The MRI concluded that his ACL was torn and he was suffering from a possible meniscus tear. Surgery was definitely needed, but the costs would put significant financial strain on the family.

Dr. David Chao and Dr. Razvan Scobercea have stepped in and donated their services, along with the post-operative care donated by Team Makena and Don Joy Inc.

Abraham is doing his post-operative physical therapy at Select PT with Susan Munson and her team. He is at physical therapy twice a week and works hard on all the special exercises Susan recommends. By the end of the summer. Abraham should be 90 percent healed. His moth is grateful for the foundation and praises the efforts of SDSMF often. She has also offered to volunteer for SDSMF to show her gratitude.

Patrick Schneemann
Patrick Schneemann - Sweetwater High School - Shoulder Surgery Recipient

After his injury in the spring of 2009, Patrick Schneemann a 17-year-old baseball and football player from Bonita Vista High School was referred to the foundation by Jerry Schniepp of the Sweetwater Union High School District. He is also a patient of Dr. Tal David at OASIS MSO, and under his care Dr. David confirmed a labrum tear in Patrick's right shoulder.

The MRI also concluded that, in order to repair his shoulder, Patrick needed surgery. Patrick comes from a family of six brothers and sisters. They have an insurance plan, but it has and $8,000 deductible and the family has only met $1,100 thus far. With the cost of the surgery exceeding $10,000, and DME and physical therapy not covered by their plan, the family would suffer great financial hardship if they had to pay out of pocket for his surgery.

The SDSMF sponsored his surgery and post operative care so Patrick can follow his dreams as the starting varsity quarterback for his senior year. In mid-June, Patrick started this physical therapy with friends of SDSMF, Manuel Orthopedic PT in Eastlake. Mike Stein and his team will keep the foundation updated on Patrick's recovery. Since his surgery by Dr. David, Patrick has been out to the baseball field to visit his friends and show off his cool arm sling.

Leslie Rogers – Point Loma High School – ACL Surgery Recipient (January 2009)
Leslie Rogers
Leslie Rogers – Point Loma High School – ACL Surgery Recipient 

In early 2009, Leslie Rogers, a 16-year-old football player from Point Loma High School, was referred to the foundation by Steve Bee with Team Surgical, and Dr. William Eves, an orthopedist, regarding his knee injury. 

Dr. Eves, team physician for Point Loma, concluded that Leslie has a right ACL tear and surgery was required. Leslie and his family made many attempts to try to schedule his surgery at Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, due to his limiting type of insurance, there has been no sense of urgency for the surgery. Because of financial constraints, his family has been unable to afford the procedure. Leslie is starting his senior year of high school, and has hopes for a football scholarship to attend college, despite the hardships he has endured growing up. 

Dr. Eves performed the surgery at no cost, along with his anesthesiologist at Mission Valley Heights Surgery Center. Ed Ayub donated the post-operative physical therapy so Leslie can be ready in August for summer football camp.


Ramon Cruz – Grossmont High School – Discoid Meniscus Surgery Recipient
Ramon Cruz
Ramon Cruz – Grossmont High School – Discoid Meniscus Surgery Recipient
 
In the spring of 2009, Ramon Cruz, a 15-year-old soccer player from Grossmont High School wanted the opportunity to play soccer and participate in teenage activities without worrying about his knee, with help from the SDSMF has a great future ahead of him.

Ramon came to the foundation by referral from Dr. James Moitoza with Rady Children’s Hospital. His injury is almost 4 years old and due to the pain in his left knee, he cannot try out for the Grossmont soccer team or fully participate in physical education activities. His MRI shows a lateral meniscus tear, which requires arthroscopic surgery. Gloria (Ramon’s mom), a single mother of four boys, is unable to provide the means to pay for the needed medical care to repair Ramon’s knee. There is emergency Medi-Cal available to the family, but this type of surgery is not covered. He is working diligently in school and wants to play on sports teams like the other kids.

During surgery, it was discovered that Ramon had a discoid meniscus (also known as Popping Knee Syndrome – an abnormally shaped lateral meniscus within the knee joint) with a tear, and unfortunately the lateral meniscus had to be completely removed. This was something Ramon was born with. He will have to dedicate himself to numerous hours of post-operative physical therapy to fully recover, and will be prone to arthritis as he gets older.

The foundation has setup physical therapy at La Mesa PT with Gerry Nash and his team. SDSMF will continue to update his progression through the recovery process.

<div style="font-family: Arial; color: #6B879A;">Aaron Diaz – Sweetwater High School – Lateral Meniscus Surgery Recipient
Aaron Diaz

Aaron Diaz – Sweetwater High School – Lateral Meniscus Surgery Recipient


SDSMF’s current candidate is Aaron Diaz, a 16-year-old football and soccer player from Sweetwater High School. Aaron was first introduced to the foundation at our Thursday afternoon injury clinics. Since he was pre-evaluated by the high school’s ATC, we knew he needed to have X-rays and an ACL exam.

It was further concluded that Aaron needed an MRI to see if he tore his ACL and/or meniscus. He is a dedicated student with strong ambition for sports and academics. He hoped to be able to go to prom and dance with his girlfriend the second week of May, and the SDSMF was able to help him enjoy this special time in his young life. 

There is no money to pay for the MRI, let alone surgery. Aaron’s parents aren’t in a position to afford it, and their employers do not offer medical benefits. The SDSMF funded his MRI. The good news is that the MRI showed the ACL was intact and no tears were present; however he tore his lateral meniscus. His arthroscopic surgery was a success, and he is in physical therapy at Manual Orthopaedic in Eastlake with Mike Stein and his team.

Aaron may need a brace to play sports and help prevent future arthritis. The SDSMF will continue to follow his progress and his return to football in the fall.

Samantha Dixon – Lincoln Middle School – Ongoing Hip Pain and Pending Final Evaluation
Samantha Dixon
Samantha Dixon – Lincoln Middle School – Ongoing Hip Pain and Pending Final Evaluation 

In 2009, Samantha Dixon, a 12-year-old soccer player and dancer from Lincoln Middle School. learned about the foundation via our Thursday afternoon injury clinic, and was also referred by Frank Zimmerman, Director of Coaching with Soccer Club of Oceanside.  

It was concluded by Dr. Scobercea that Samantha is in need of an MRI on her left hip, and he advised that she see a pediatric orthopedist. We setup an appointment with Dr. Edmunds at Rady Children’s Hospital, and he offered to evaluate her at no cost. When her MRI came back normal, it was even more important for her to follow-up with a pediatric orthopedist. Dr. Edmunds suggested two months of physical therapy to see if her hip flexors would loosen up. She is currently being treated by Tina Recalde and team at Tri City Medical Center Rehabilitation Services.


Rath David Hy – La Jolla High School: ACL and Wrist Surgery Recipient
Rath David Hy
Rath David Hy – La Jolla High School:  ACL and Wrist Surgery Recipient 

Rath David was a special case for the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation in 2007, as he came to us with two injuries following a high school football game. He came to our Saturday Morning Injury Clinic and was seen by Dr. Tal David for a knee injury. An MRI of his knee was performed and a tear of the ACL tendon was documented. During that same visit, he mentioned some pain in one of his wrists and X-rays were taken that revealed a scaphoid fracture.

It was tough news for the young athlete that he would require surgery for two injuries and with no means to cover medical expenses. RathDavid was reassured by the SDSMF staff, medical consultants and his family that he would be able to return to the sport he loves – football!  Timing was critical for this 17 year-old so he would have the opportunity to return to the varsity football team for his senior year.

Michael Kimball, MD, with Girard Orthopaedic Surgeons, performed the ACL operation in December 2007 at the Orthopaedic Surgery Center of La Jolla, with Daniel Carusillo, MD providing anesthesia services.  One month later, James Chao, MD, with UCSD, performed his wrist surgery. Edward Ayub Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy stepped up to provide weeks and weeks of physical therapy that was required for him to rehabilitate in a safe and timely manner.  

Not much can slow down this dynamic young man who is instilled with a passion to play football. RathDavid would like to be the first person in his family to graduate from college and has dreams of attending SDSU. In his application essay, he stated that he is interested in the Arts, Films, and Business, but also expressed a desire to help others by becoming a Fire Fighter. For the time-being, he is getting ready for football training camp.

Elizabeth Garcia – Holtville High School: ACL and Meniscus Surgery
Elizabeth Garcia

Elizabeth Garcia – Holtville High School: ACL and Meniscus Surgery

 

We first heard about Elizabeth Garcia’s plight in October of 2007 from Dr. James Moitoza, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Children’s Hospital. She was a 16-year-old basketball player from Holtville High School who had sustained a severe knee injury in January 2006.

 

Nine months later, Elizabeth came to one of our Saturday Morning Injury Clinics and was evaluated by Dr. Mat Gargulinski who discovered that her ACL was torn along with the lateral and medial menisci, with surgery as the only solution.

 

Elizabeth had been on crutches and could not fully extend her knee since her injury, and she was afraid that she would never be able to enjoy playing basketball, volleyball or dancing again. Unfortunately, her mother was supporting a family of four on a minimum-wage job and did not have the financial means to cover medical expenses.

 

It took a team effort to get Elizabeth back on her feet! Since her surgery in November 2007, she has continued with her rehabilitation and has been fitted with a custom DJ Ortho knee brace. In addition, she also received 5 weeks of physical therapy from Imperial PT and hopes to return to volleyball in the spring.

Paul Cortes – Temecula Valley High School: Shoulder Evaluation
Paul Cortes

Paul Cortes – Temecula Valley High School: Shoulder Evaluation


A recent SDSMF candidate is Paul Cortes, a 17-year-old baseball player from Temecula Valley High School. He has been suffering from a persistent shoulder injury since January 2008 and has been attempting conservative care with rest and the wait-and-see approach, but has had no improvement.

 

Paul’s father passed away last year and his family has been living off a Social Security check, with no access to medical care. He was referred to the SDSMF by OUCH Sports Medical Center for further evaluation in July. Since Paul lives in Temecula, SDSMF Medical Board Member and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Robert Pace, agreed to treat him and execute a medical plan for his recovery.  

 

Paul was introduced to baseball at the very young age of five in Tijuana, Mexico. When he moved to the United States, he continued with his passion for the game and has been on the Varsity baseball team since he was a sophomore. It was his father’s dream that he would be able to earn a scholarship and attend college. With the support of the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation, his family and his coaches, Paul has a fighting chance to make this happen!

Fontayne Fuga – Chaparral High School - ACL Surgery Candidate
Fontayne Fuga

Fontayne Fuga – Chaparral High School: ACL Surgery Candidate

 

SDSMF’s current candidate, Fontayne Fuga, was playing summer football and injured his knee. He was then referred to the SDSMF by OUCH Sports Medical Center for further evaluation.

 

He was named All CIF, All-League and All Inland Valley Football Player for the 2007 Season at Chaparral High School in Temecula. Fontayne does not live with his parents and has no contact with them, and with his only sibling lives in another state. A friend’s family has taken him in so he can remain in the area until he graduates. Unfortunately, he does not have medical insurance or access to funds to pay for medical care.

 

An MRI has confirmed a complete tear of his ACL and surgery was suggested. For the time-being, he has been fitted with a DJ Ortho brace, pending surgical care.

 

His final season of high school football is only one month away and Fontayne knows that college scouts will be watching; he is in desperate need of a scholarship. If he is able to continue playing football, he has the promise of a bright future. His football coach has taken him under his wing and is doing everything possible to get Fontayne back on the playing field. The SDSMF will continue to sponsor and monitor his medical care.

Chen Cai -  Maranatha Christian School - Knee Evaluation Candidate

Chen Cai is a 6’ 7” 16-year-old basketball player from Maranatha Christian School.  Chen is a foreign exchange student from China,  He was referred to the foundation by Mark Haines of San Diego State University, who evaluated him at a basketball camp in June. It is believed that Chen has a meniscus tear and we need to do an MRI to further diagnose his injury.


While Chen is living with a host family in the United States, he has little contact with his family. Unfortunately, they do not have the financial means to support Chen’s health insurance while he is here. We did get the mother’s signature on the application via fax from China, so she is aware of the injury. Since this injury happened in the off season, he was not covered under school insurance.


Abigail Rosas
  Abigail Rosas– Hoover High School – Torn ACL Surgery Recipient

SDSMF's current candidate is Abigail  Rosas, a 16-year-old varsity soccer player from Hoover High School. Abigail will be attending her junior year of high school this fall. She is a 4.0 student with a great future ahead of her given the opportunity to continue to pursue her goal of being a part of UCLA Women's Soccer Team.

Abigail is one of four children and her parents do not have health care insurance and barely have enough income to support the family as it is. Her family used to have medical benefits of emergency MediCal, but that has now expired and her family cannot afford the cost of her surgery. Surgery is not an option for Abigail without the help of SDSMF. Abigail began to play soccer three years ago, without her parent's approval, yet demonstrated such dedication to the sport and to her studies that her parents now support her passion. Soccer represents an accomplishment of what she likes to do, and determination, discipline and the will to work hard for dreams are what have helped shape Abigail's attitude as a young woman.

Dr. Kris Kinsella discovered that Abigail tore her anterior cruciate liamen (ACL) in her left knee as she planted her left foot to kick the soccer ball with her right foot in September of 2009. Abigail's family firmly believes that SDSMF is the only option for her to receive the surgery necessary for her to continue to pursue her dreams and compete next year as a high school senior and completely rejoin the sport that she loves.


Brittany Webb
Brittany Webb – Cathedral High School – Ongoing knee pain and pending MRI and final evaluation
SDSMF's current candidate is Brittany Webb, a 15-year-old soccer player who received a generous scholarship to attend Cathedral High School starting this fall.  Brittany has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old and her dream since then had been to achieve academic excellence and play soccer professionally on day. Brittany suffered an injury in her knee while playing, and as a result she has been unable to compete.

Brittany's father passed away in September of '08, and her mother and two sisters were left with nothing- no home, hundreds of thousands in personal dept and expired life insurance policies. Her family was unable to qualify for Healthy Families, but they do have MediCal  insurance, which will not cover the needed MRI and medical treatment that she needs to get back on the soccer field and continue to pursuing her dreams. Through all of this turbulence, Brittany has been able to maintain an incredible attitude and 4.0 GPA.

It has been full scholarships that have enabled Brittany to play as a Team Captain for the DMCV Sharks for four years in a row.  Her injury happened nearly a year ago, and she has continued to try to play but suffered from such severe pain that she has had to leave the field with each attempt.  Brittany comes highly recommended by her coaches as a top-ranking player both on the field and in the classroom.  Brittany hopes to be back on the field again this fall and promises to send SDSMF an autographed soccer ball when she goes pro!

Darius Guillory
  Darius Guillory– Chaparral High School – Collateral Ligament Injury, Left Knee; Bilateral Anterior Subluxation to Both Shoulders with Labral Pathology

SDSMF's current candidate is Darius Guillory, a 17-year-old who plays football as a safety and slot receiver for Chaparral High School. Both Darius' parents are unemployed and cannot afford health care premiums.  His family has been dealt a bad hand when it comes to these tough economic times, and he needs these surgeries in order to return to the field and continue pursuing his dreams of playing football, going to college and reaching his personal best in life.

Darius' head football coach has seen three players go on to play in the NFL and 30 players go on to play major Division1 football, and he views Darius as the best player and leader he has ever coached. He was 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All-CIF, All-CIF defensive player of the year, 1st Team All-Inland Valley (The Californian) and is the best player on a CIF Champion football team.

Dr. Paul Reiman, team physician for Chaparral High School and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends proceeding with arthroscopic intervention on both shoulders with an expected labral (Bankart repair) bilaterally. Darius has been nursing through the pain during the football season, but he has had five sublixation episodes on the right shoulder (August 2009) and four on the left (Sept. 2009), which have significantly affected his ability to perform on the football field. Darius loves to play football, wants to go to college and feels that football gives his life a purpose and loves to be a part of something unique. He knows that he won't be able to pursue that dream without the help of the SDSMF.

Eduardo Mancilla
Eduard Mancilla - Oceanside High School - IT Band Syndrome and Partial ACL
SDSMF's current candidate, Eduardo Mancilla, is a 15-year-old student at Oceanside High School and will be a junior the fall. Eduardo's parents divorced when he was 7 years old - the same year he began playing soccer - and he lives woth his mother, Maria and sister, Lenis, in Vista. His mother is employed but the company does not offer medical benefits to minimum-wage employees.  They had Healthy Families coverage until Nov. 2009 and purchased the insurance Oceanside unified offers to athletes, but they don't qualify for insurance after numerous unsuccessful attempts of being accepted and his mother cannot afford the alternative.

Eduardo's academic goals are to graduate from high school, attend junior college and ultimately attend UCLA and play for their soccer team. He has been able to play soccer with Lions Football Club because of the generous contribution his coach made by paying his registration and fees. Last winter Eddie suffered and injury while participating in Oceanside Athletics.  He was evaluated early 2010 by Dr. Stark at Tri-City Wellness Center Injury Clinic and it was determined that he has IT Band Syndrome and a Partial ACL.

In the future, he also would like to attend culinary school and one day own a restaurant and be an executive chef. In the meantime, this starting defender and captain of his junior varsity soccer team wants to focus on soccer and his pursuit of academic excellence. Although Maria and Lenis support him as best they can, Eduardo recognizes that they cannot afford the treatment he needs to continue playing a sport that he loves, and he is counting on SDSMF to help him continue to pursue his dreams.