Incoming Charleroi High School senior Sierra Short’s painful knee injury had the positive effect of inspiring her future.
Short was recently awarded the 2017 Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Scholarship, after her personal experience with an injury motivated her interest in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
The highly competitive scholarship, created by world-renowned surgeon and chair of UPMC orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Freddie Fu, awards one annual scholarship of $2,000 and internship opportunities to a student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership traits, community involvement and a commitment to a career in sports medicine.
During her sophomore year, Short tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing soccer. She was initially misdiagnosed with a dislocated knee cap. Dealing with intense pain and concerned she would never play sports again, Short sought a second opinion with the experts at UPMC Sports Medicine.
Dr. Dharmesh Vyas later diagnosed her with a torn ACL, and surgically reconstructed the damaged ligament.
After nine months of care under Dr. Vyas and rehabilitation with the physical therapists at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Short made a return to sports this past fall.
“The medical staff was very thorough about how long things would take and how difficult they would be,” Short said. “They were always there for me and always spent the time needed for my recovery.”
Dr. Vyas was a major factor in contributing to Short’s educational goals as Short plans to pursue a career in orthopaedic surgery, specializing in sports medicine.
“The care I received from Dr. Vyas and the physical therapists at UPMC Sports Medicine was an important part of my returning to sports,” she said. “I hope that one day I can do the same for someone passionate about returning to physical activity after an injury.”
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