USA Cheer National Safety Council

The National Safety Council raises awareness of cheerleading safety and education. It is made up of representatives from the medical community.

Jeffrey R. Dugas, MD
Medical Director

Dr. Dugas serves as medical director for USA Cheer, the national governing body for cheerleading, and he is on the National Concussion Task Force for the prevention of concussions in youth sports. In addition, Dr. Dugas serves as Associate Medical Director for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Dr. Dugas has contributed significantly to the research of sports medicine. He has published articles and textbook chapters related to injuries of the shoulder and elbow in throwing athletes, vascular injuries in throwers and rotator cuff injuries. He has also published manuscripts on the treatment of knee ligament injuries and the treatment of cartilaginous defects of the knee.

Following his orthopedic training at Duke University School of Medicine and the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, Dr. Dugas accepted a fellowship in sports medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, Alabama, under the direction of James R. Andrews, M.D., and William G. Clancy, Jr., M.D. where he is now a partner. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Trustees at the American Baseball Foundation (ABF) and American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI), where he conducts research and serves as director for the ASMI Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. He has been named one of Birmingham’s Best Doctors for ten consecutive years and was selected by his peers as one of the top orthopaedic surgeons in the state of Alabama.

Dr. Dugas and his wife, Tracie, are both avid sports fans and enjoy spending time with their children, Christopher and Caroline. Dr. Dugas enjoys golf, baseball, fishing and playing guitar.

Karen Lew Feirman, DHSc, ATC
Director of Safety

Karen is an adjunct faculty at the University of West Florida in the Athletic Training Program. In 1996, Karen received her Bachelor of Science degree and Certification for K-12 Health and Physical Education at the University of New Orleans. Karen earned her Masters of Education degree in Human Performance with an emphasis in Exercise Science in 1997 from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Karen graduated from Nova Southeastern University in August, 2016 with a Doctor of Health Science degree.

Karen is involved with the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association. In 2016, she was inducted into the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame. She was also awarded the Athletic Trainer Service Award from the NATA. In her free time, she serves St. Jude Hospital Ambassador.

In addition to her teaching, she serves as the Director of Safety for Varsity Spirit. She regularly participates as an athletic trainer and medical support staff for Varsity Spirit, including the National Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the London New Year’s Day Parade.

Karen has numerous publications including, Athletic Training Exam Review: “A Student Guide to Success”, Fifth Edition, and has been published by the NATA and Cramer Athletics for her work in preventing and reducing injuries in cheerleading.

Stephanie Chu, DO

Dr. Chu graduated from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003. She works in Broomfield, CO and 2 other locations and specializes in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. Dr. Chu is Sports Medicine Fellowship Faculty, Associate Professor, and Team Physician at the University of Colorado Boulder.  Dr. Chu chaired the NCAA Committee for the Safegards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) and is involved in research in the areas of Female Athlete Triad, Sports Medicine and Sports Performance, and Injury Prevention.

Denise K. Maldonado, DPT. CSCS

Dr. Denise K. Maldonado is a physical therapist with over 10 years of experience working in various clinical settings with a wide range of patient populations. She currently focuses her practice on neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, but has studied in all areas of physical therapy.

Dr. Maldonado served two years at an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital before joining Northeast Sports and Spine Medicine in 2008 where she has spent most of her career studying kinesiology and sports-related conditions. Since then she has received her Strength and Conditioning Certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS). She also has extensive knowledge and experience in orthopedics, post-operative rehabilitation, neurology, and vestibular complications. Her passion for the human body, exercise, and mobility pushed her towards an interest in treating pain associated with aging and trauma. She currently concentrates on post-concussion recovery and rehabilitation in addition to returning patients to normal activity in both post-operative and non-operative conditions.

In 2002, Dr. Maldonado received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from Rutgers University. She advanced her education at Seton Hall University, where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2006 where she earned the Clinical Skills Award. From a young age, Dr. Maldonado had a tremendous interest in recovery after trauma. Throughout high school and college she participated in gymnastics, dance and all-star cheerleading, which afforded her the opportunity to focus on movement and develop a strong athletic work ethic.

Ryan “Pete” Manely, DHSc, ATC

Dr. Manely is a Professor of Athletic Training, Program Director of Graduate Athletic Training Education, Director of Athletic Training Services and is the Chair of the Health Science Department at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas.

Pete was named the KCAC Athletic Trainer of the Year for 2015-2016 and named NAIA ATA Athletic Trainer of the Year for the 2010-2011 academic year. He was inducted into the Barton County Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 and was named the Sterling College McCreery Teacher of the Year in 2015

Pete serves as President Elect of the NAIA ATA Board and Co-Chair of the NAIA Council for Student Athletes. He loves working with the faculty and staff, who are such an incredible support group. Pete enjoys many activities in his free time including music, reading, BBQ competitions/catering and eating out with friends; however, all of those are secondary to marrying the love of his life, Kay Manely. Pete and Kay have three beautiful children Cord (SC 2020 Alum), Brielle, and Braylen. His hometown is Lebanon, KS.

Summer Ott, PsyD

Dr. Summer Ott, is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). She also serves as the director of the Concussion Program at Memorial Hermann Ironman Sports Medicine Institute.

Dr. Ott is a neuropsychologist specializing in sports-related concussions. She has extensive clinical and research experience with sports-related concussions. She currently serves as the team neuropsychological consultant for the Houston Texans and Houston Rockets, as well as many universities and school districts in Texas. Previously, Dr. Ott served as a neuropsychology consultant for the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Aeros.

Her research efforts focus on proper baseline testing, concussion in female athletes, effects of physical exertion on cognition, and long-term consequences of repeated head injury in athletes. Dr. Ott has co‐authored publications on neuropsychological assessment in scholarly journals and frequently conducts presentations regarding proper management of concussion.

Shea Stark, DC, CCSP, ICSC, EMT

Dr. Shea Stark graduated from Texas Chiropractic College in December 2014 and spent the first 6 years of her career in Bozeman, Montana working for a prominent sports chiropractic clinic. She returned home to Houston, Texas in June 2020 and opened Stark Chiropractic & Sports. She is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner, holds an International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic and is an EMT.

Dr. Stark is the current Past President of the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council and the US Representative to the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS). She has provided sports chiropractic care at events such as the FIVB Las Vegas Open and AVP Seattle beach volleyball events, the National Collegiate Tae Kwondo Championships, WAKO Kickboxing World Championships and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.