Sports Med Masterclass - The Future of Pediatric Practice 2026. Online registration by Cvent

This Masterclass is included in all in-person full conference registrations or can be purchased as a Masterclass-Only ticket. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

– MASTERCLASS AGENDA –

1:45 – 2:15 Youth Sports Safety 2026 | Presented by: Nicholas Goyeneche, MD

Sports medicine has evolved dramatically over the past century, shifting from a focus on elite athlete performance to a comprehensive discipline centered on youth participation, injury prevention, safety standards, mental health, and long-term wellness. This session will examine the historical evolution of sports medicine through the lens of pediatric and adolescent athletics, highlighting major milestones in safety policy, protective equipment, concussion management, heat illness prevention, cardiac screening, and return-to-play practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development and impact of safety initiatives from organizations such as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI), whose evidence-based guidelines have shaped modern approaches to heat acclimatization, environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness, and sudden cardiac arrest prevention. The session will also explore the growing role of statewide advocacy and collaborative organizations such as the Florida Alliance for Sports Medicine (FASMed), which help connect healthcare providers, school systems, athletic trainers, and governing bodies through partnerships with organizations including the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FC-AAP), Florida Orthopaedic Society (FOS), and Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP). Participants will discuss how multidisciplinary collaboration and advocacy continue to shape the future of athlete safety and sports medicine in 2026 and beyond.

2:15 – 2:45 2026 Keeping Our Kids Safe | Presented by Eric Coris, MD

The preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is a critical opportunity for pediatricians to promote safe sports participation, identify conditions that may predispose young athletes to injury or sudden death, and provide evidence-based counseling to athletes and families. This session will review current recommendations and practical approaches to the pediatric sports physical, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and psychosocial screening considerations. Special attention will be given to nuanced and evolving topics such as ECG screening, concussion history, mental health concerns, sickle cell trait, heat illness, and return-to-play decision-making. Participants will also review the most common causes of sports-related injury and sudden death in youth athletics and discuss strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality through prevention, early recognition, and emergency preparedness.

2:45 – 3:15 Head Games/Concussion | Presented by Matt Fazekas, MD

This session will provide an overview of the current evidence-based recommendations for pediatric sports- related concussion management, including tools and tips to be used on the sidelines to the clinic.

3:15 – 3:45 When Winning Hurts: Mental Health and Substance Use in Youth and Collegiate Sports | Presented by Taylar Keene, LPC, LMHC, NCC

Follow along as this presentation examines the intersection of mental health concerns and substance use in youth athletes, with a focus on the transition to collegiate sports. As early specialization, performance pressure, and athletic identity intensify, young athletes are experiencing rising rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and maladaptive coping—including substance use.

Pediatric providers are often the first point of contact, yet concerns can be missed due to sport culture and the normalization of stress. This session highlights key risk factors in youth sports, including overtraining, injury, and external pressures from parents and coaches.

The discussion extends to the collegiate level, where student-athletes face increased demands, including academic stress, performance expectations, and reduced autonomy. These factors can heighten vulnerability to substance use, disordered eating, and mental health challenges.

Attendees will gain practical screening strategies, a developmental framework for understanding risk, and guidance on early intervention, referral, and collaboration across care teams. Emphasis will also be placed on supporting athletes through the transition to college athletics.

This session equips pediatric providers to better recognize, respond to, and advocate for the mental health needs of athletes across the developmental spectrum.

3:45 – 4:15 Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports and Fueling the Young Athlete | Presented by Alix Krawcke, MS, RDN, LDN

This session will provide an overview and resources regarding fueling for sports, as well as how to identify, treat, and prevent REDs in young athletes. We will discuss commonly missed symptoms, long term impacts, and the role of the pediatrician in addressing relative energy deficiency.

4:15 – 4:45 Break and Refreshments

4:45 – 5:15 Knee Pain: Arthroscopy or Ace Wrap? | Presented by Julia Fink, DO

In this session, attendees will learn how to identify common pediatric knee injuries encountered in clinical practice, apply evidence-based strategies for the outpatient evaluation and management of pediatric knee injuries, differentiate pediatric knee injuries that can be managed conservatively from those requiring referral to an orthopedic specialist, and determine appropriate indications for advanced imaging in the assessment of pediatric knee injuries.

5:15 – 6:15 Hands on Rotations

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