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Dr. Tortland recently accompanied the U.S. Figure Skating Team to an international figure skating competition in Budapest, Hungary.

Dr. Tortland with Ladies Gold Medalist Juliana Cannarozza

Valley Sports Physicians’ Dr. Tortland recently accompanied the U.S. Figure Skating Team to an international figure skating competition in Budapest, Hungary. The competition, held August 31 through September 3, was a Junior Grand Prix event, one of eight events in the International Skating Union’s Junior Grand Prix series.

The Junior Grand Prix features the top international figure skaters between 13-18 years old. Thirty-one countries were represented at the Budapest event. The American skaters fared very well in the competition, taking Gold and Silver in the Pairs event, Gold and Bronze in the Men’s event, and Gold in the Ladies event. They took 6th and 9th in Dance.

Dr. Tortland is the only U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) team physician in Connecticut. The USFSA sends physicians to provide medical coverage at international events in locations where the availability of quality local medical care is uncertain. There are 17 international events this year to which the USFSA will send physicians, including competitions in Russia, China, Japan, Eastern Europe, Germany, France and Norway. Dr. Tortland has previously traveled with the U.S. team to events in Japan and Croatia.

Dr. Tortland with Mens’ Gold and Bronze Medalists Stephen Cariere and Eliot Halverson

The United States typically is the only country to send a physician with its teams. Physicians volunteer their time, but the USFSA covers all travel and travel-related expenses. Being out of the office for a week takes its toll financially on self-employed physicians such as Tortland. But the opportunity to work with elite athletes while also getting an all-expense-paid trip to parts of the world one wouldn’t typically visit is an experience Tortland said he can’t pass up.

The Budapest event was free from injury. “We had some cramping and some sore knees,” reported Tortland, “but otherwise there were no significant injuries.” On previous trips he has had to deal with sprains, concussions, and the flu. While in Croatia several years ago one skater broke his nose when he threw his partner in the air at the start of their free skate. As she spun around, her elbow caught him squarely in the nose. "Blood was everywhere," said Tortland, "but the judges refused to stop the competition!"

Each physician that travels with a USFSA team is supplied with a completely stocked medical kit, packed in a roll-aboard suitcase. Besides the usual supplies such as bandages and splints, the kits contain medications, IV fluids, and suture material. Essentially anything the physician needs to provide treatment for injuries and illnesses is included. There are three similarly stocked kits that are shipped to the different USFSA physicians in anticipation of their upcoming trips. Upon returning home, the bags are then restocked and shipped to the next physician.

The USFSA gets a bonus for its money when it sends Dr. Tortland to events. He is an avid and accomplished sports photographer. His photos of the Budapest competition graced the pages of the USFSA web site.

Dr. Tortland (far right) with the U.S. Team at the competition banquet