Medical Eligibility
The following is a detailed list of medical requirements in order to participate in Chatham Athletics. These requirements are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all Chatham student-athletes. If an incoming student-athlete is under 18 years of age, her parent/guardian must be present to sign all paperwork upon arrival to Chatham.
Pre-Participation Physical Examination
Each new or transfer student-athlete is required to have a comprehensive sports physical examination prior to participating in Chatham intercollegiate athletics. All returners are required to complete a comprehensive medical history update. If a returning student-athlete sustains a serious injury, she will be required to attend the scheduled physical examination for clearance prior to the start of the season.
The team physician along with other UPMC designated physicians will provide pre-season physical examinations for all student-athletes at Chatham. The examinations take place at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, which is located in the Southside Sports Complex. Dates and times are coordinated between the athletic director, athletic trainers and team physician. The student-athlete's respective coach will provide this information once the schedule is made.
*Note: any diagnostic testing required by the physician administering the pre-participation physical will not be covered by UPMC or Chatham athletics. Any bills relating to this will be the responsibility of the student-athlete.
If the student-athlete has had a recent surgery, injury or illness and was/is under the care of a medical specialist, please bring a written clearance to participate from that specialist, as well as the specialist's contact information.
If the student-athlete has a known pre-existing medical condition (heart murmur, kidney disorder, chronic illness, sickle cell trait etc), she must bring with her a written clearance to participate from a specializing physician. This letter will remain in the student-athlete's medical file and is valid for only one year. Please be sure the note specifies collegiate varsity athletics.
Student-athletes who do not pass the pre-participation physical examination and screening will not be permitted to participate in any team sanctioned physical activity until they are cleared by the athletic training staff in conjunction with the Team Physician. Until such time, the head coach and staff will not permit student-athletes under special restrictions to participate in any physical activity involved in the intercollegiate sport.
Student-athletes that become injured or ill anytime during the school year will have to be cleared by the athletic trainers in conjunction with the team physician before participation can resume or another sport can be played.
Medical Health History Questionnaire
All student-athletes must complete the medical health history questionnaire annually.
Student-athletes who willfully withhold information pertaining to their health status will relieve Chatham University of all responsibilities should a subsequent injury, re-injury or illness occur.
All injuries sustained prior to the pre-participation physical examination must be reported.
All known diseases must be reported.
Loss of a paired organ must be reported.
All illnesses must be reported.
Insurance
All student-athletes must have proof of current health insurance coverage in order to participate in collegiate athletics at Chatham.
If the student-athlete does not have primary health insurance, she may obtain her own policy through the university. Please contact Student Accounts at 412-365-2719 for more information.
A copy of the front and back of the current health insurance card must be provided.
Informed Consent for Medical Treatment and Health Care Operations
Student-athletes must sign this form to give the athletic trainers and other associated healthcare personnel permission to provide medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation. If the student-athlete is under 17, parent/guardian must sign this document.
Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information - HIPAA Form
Student-athletes must sign this form to allow the athletic trainers to communicate with medical personnel and the University's athletic department personnel in order to provide consultation, treatment, and establish a plan of care. If the student-athlete is under 17, parent/guardian must sign this document.
A copy of the UPMC Notice of Privacy Practices document is available at Chatham University and can be found online at: http://www.upmc.com/HospitalsFacilities/hipaa/Pages/privacy-notice.aspx.
Concussion Testing
Before the first competition, all student-athletes must complete the ImPACT concussion testing program baseline test. This test is conducted every other year, most commonly the first and junior years at Chatham. It is scheduled by the athletic trainers and takes place in the athletic training room. The purpose of this test is to establish a baseline of cognitive function for comparison in the event the student-athlete sustains a concussion while participating in sport. The ImPACT test is a critical component in the care and treatment of a concussion. More information on the ImPACT test can be found at www.sportsmedicine.upmc.com and clicking on concussion services, or at www.impacttest.com.
Medications
All student-athletes need to check all medications they are currently taking online at www.drugfreesport.com to make sure it is not an NCAA banned substance. Common medications such as Albuterol and Adderall are banned by the NCAA and we are therefore required to collect information on these prescriptions from the prescribing physician. Once at www.drugfreesport.com, click "log-in". The organization is "NCAA Division III" and the password is "ncaa3". Click "REC Tools" and then "Prescription/OTC Drug Search". Type in the medication and it will tell you if it is a banned substance or not. The generic name for the medication may have to be entered if the name brand name is not recognized.
If the student-athlete is taking a banned substance, thorough documentation is needed. Having documentation on file will help the student-athlete in the event she tests positive on a drug test administered by the NCAA. Please choose one of the links below which will describe what documentation is needed. Please read thoroughly.
