Dr. Swiger Trains Athletes in Taiwan

Dr. Wanda Swiger (Athletic Training) was in Taiwan earlier this month, serving as an athletic trainer for the team at Deaflympics, the international competition for hard-of-hearing and profoundly deaf athletes.

Swiger was part of the medical staff providing comprehensive health care for the 191 athletes in the U.S. delegation. The selected medical staff must be licensed and nationally certified, be in good standing within their profession, have demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of sports medicine, and be proficient in American Sign Language. As a child of deaf adults (CODA), Dr. Swiger was given preference in her selection.

Over the three weeks, the athletes and the medical staff had to adjust to high ambient temperatures and the high humidity. The games began with an opening ceremony event on September 5 and concluded on September 15. While Dr. Swiger was responsible for athletics (track and field athletes), the medical staff (nine ATCs, one orthopedic surgeon, and one family practice physician) collaborated on prevention, injury diagnosis, and injury management for all 191 athletes. While her assignment required long days, she did have time to visit the CKS Memorial Hall and take a harrowing trek to the top of TAPEI 101 (for Wanda and her fear of heights, this was a major accomplishment). “I hope to be lucky enough to be selected again,” she said. “It was an opportunity of a lifetime.”