NORTH COUNTRY ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON ACCOMPANIES U.S. WOMEN’S ALPINE SKI TEAM TO AUSTRIA

January 25, 2005

Watertown, New York --- D. Peter Van Eenenaam, orthopaedic surgeon and director of the Sports Medicine Center at North Country Orthopaedic Group, 1571 Washington Street, recently returned from the World Cup women’s alpine ski competitions in Altenmarkt, Austria.

Dr. Van Eenenaam traveled to Austria with eight members of the U.S. Women’s Alpine Ski Team competing for the World Cup. This is the eighth year Dr. Van Eenenaam has traveled with and assisted the team; he has previously traveled to Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada; Val d’Isere, France; Sestriere, Italy; Slovenia; Germany and Sweden. Additionally, Dr. Van Eenenaam had the distinct opportunity to cover the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The United State’s Caroline Lalive, of Colorado, placed fourth in the Super G event in Altenmarkt. “A fourth place finish is extremely respectful for the United States,” commented Dr. Van Eenenaam. “It adds to the impressive placements the U.S. women have had so far this year. To make matters more challenging, the conditions were rough – because of how the course sits on the mountain approximately 75% of the course was in the shade– making the course extremely difficult for all the competitors,” continued Dr. Van Eenenaam.

Dr. Van Eenenaam participates daily in team meetings and training with the team. He works side by side with the team’s physical therapists, physicians and coaches. “Fortunately for the team there were no major injuries at this race,” said Dr. Van Eenenaam. “I was, however, able to cast a couple sprained thumbs (molding the cast to the skier’s ski pole) so the women could compete.” On occasion Dr. Van Eenenam is contacted to bring supplies to a competition. “This trip I carried on casting supplies - it always makes for an interesting in-flight conversation when I walk on the plane with supplies,” laughs Dr. Van Eenenaam.

In addition to Caroline’s placement seven women placed in the top 50 and are: Julia Mancuso, California placed 5^th; Lindsey Kildow, Colorado tied for 13^th; Libby Ludlow, Washington placed 15^th; Bryna McCarthy, Vermont placed 17^th; Kirsten Clark, Maine placed 23^rd and Jonna Mendes, California placed 35^th.

Dr. Van Eenenaam was chosen to provide medical coverage as one of the team physicians by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. As one of the team physicians, Dr. Van Eenenaam provided assistance for medical illnesses and injuries, consulted with the team’s athletic trainers and physical therapists regarding medical treatment, and advised coaches and skiers on the appropriate use of medication during competition.

In addition to his duties as an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Van Eenenaam is the director of North Country Orthopaedic Group’s Sports Medicine Center. The center provides sports medicine services to high school, collegiate, recreational and professional athletes. “My experiences working side by side with world class athletes is not only a thrill for me, but also allows me to stay up-to-date on the latest sports medicine techniques,” states Dr. Van Eenenaam. “Managing world class athletes helps me prepare for what I may run across when local athletes are injured - allowing me to communicate my experiences not only with other members of our group but also with the Sports Medicine Center staff,” continues Dr. Van Eenenaam.

Dr. Van Eenenaam received his orthopaedic training at the Harvard Orthopaedic Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and his advanced sports medicine training at the Steadman and Hawkins Sports Medicine Clinic, Vail, Colorado.  He is a 1979 graduate of Watertown High School and returned to the North Country to join North Country Orthopaedic Group in 1996. In October 2003, Dr. Van Eenenaam was inducted into the Watertown High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Achievement.

North Country Orthopaedic Group specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, and nerves. Its clinical staff of orthopaedic, sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist provide 70,000 outpatient visits each year for problems ranging from sprains, dislocations and broken bones, to arthritis, back pain and foot and ankle injuries. The group has offices in Watertown and Lowville.

For further information on those services provided by North Country Orthopaedic Group, please call the Watertown office at 782-1650 or the Lowville office at 376-5163. Additionally, information is posted on the group’s website at www.ncortho.com.