Preventing Sudden Death in Sport & Physical Activity

For Douglas Casa, the Korey Stringer Institute is the culmination of a life-long path; his passion for the study of exertional heat stroke started in 1985 when he suffered an exertional heat stroke while running a 10K race. This experience motivated what has become his life’s cause: the study of exertional heat stroke, heat illnesses, hydration, and preventing sudden death in sport – his ultimate goal is to find ways to prevent needless tragedy during sport and physical activity.For the past 16 years, Dr. Casa has worked toward his goal of preventing sudden death in sport at the Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut. During this time he has published more than 175 peer-reviewed publications and presented more than 400 times on subjects related to exertional heat stroke, heat-related illnesses, preventing sudden death in sport, and hydration. Dr. Casa has successfully treated more than 215 cases of exertional heat stroke (with 0 fatalities).' In October 2010 the Department of Kinesiology doctoral program at the University of Connecticut was ranked number 1 in the country by the National Academy of Kinesiology.''Dr. Casa is the 2008 recipient of the medal for distinguished athletic training research from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. He was named a fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2008. He received the Sayers “Bud” Miller Distinguished Educator Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2007 and has been a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine since 2001. He has been a lead or co-author on numerous sports medicine (ACSM, NATA) position statements related to heat illness and hydration.' He is an associate editor of the'Journal of Athletic Training and Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, and on the editorial board of'Current Sports Medicine Reports,'Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, and the'Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.'Dr. Casa has worked with numerous media outlets across the country in discussing his research including the NBC Today Show, ESPN, CNN,'Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Wall Street Journal'and the'New York Times.'Rebecca L. Stearns earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Duquesne University in 2006, her master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Connecticut in 2008, and her doctorate in exercise science from the University of Connecticut in 2012. Dr. Stearns currently works at the Korey Stringer Institute within the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut. During her time at Connecticut, Dr. Stearns has published more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and provided over 60 local or national presentations on subjects related to exertional heat stroke, heat-related illnesses, enhancing athletic performance in the heat, preventing sudden death in sport, and hydration.In April 2010, Dr. Stearns was one of the founding members of the Korey Stringer Institute and continues to work towards the KSI mission, serving the public to work toward preventing sudden death in sport by means of education, advocacy, public policy, research, media outreach, and publications.Dr. Stearns has been a co-author on numerous sports medicine inter-association task forces and position statement pertaining to sudden death in exercise including: The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Preventing Sudden Death in Sports, the Inter-Association Task Force For Preventing Sudden Death In Collegiate Conditioning Sessions: best practices recommendations, and The Inter-Association Task Force For Preventing Sudden Death In Secondary School Athletics Programs: best practices recommendationsDr. Stearns is joyfully married to her husband, Jacob E. Earp, PhD.