Event Medicine at the Honda Center with Dr. Katzer

By Michael Head, UCI School of Medicine

Dr. Katzer is the head of medical operations at the Honda Center, overseeing a team of medical professionals that provide care to both players and fans during events. It's not just about the medical aspect of the job that entices Dr. Katzer and other UCI emergency physicians. They relish the electric atmosphere of the arena and the chance to interact with fans and players that feels so different from that of the emergency department.

During hockey games, the medical team is on high alert, with one physician stationed close to the ice to attend to any player emergencies and another physician who works with EMTs and paramedics to provide care to spectators. This is a highly trained team of emergency medical personnel that all work closely to provide the best care in this specific setting.

In the case of a spectator emergency, on site EMTs and paramedics will swiftly evaluate the patient and determine the need for a higher level of care. If they recognize a true emergency, one of the emergency physicians dedicated to the care of spectators will meet them at the onsite treatment and evaluation center to provide further care. If needed, a dedicated ambulance is onsite to transport them quickly to the hospital.

But it's not just the spectator emergencies that keep the team on their toes. If an emergency occurs on the ice, the dedicated team physician is ready to respond immediately, along with a separate team of EMS providers. These providers are specifically trained on the emergencies that are most likely to happen on the ice and are prepared to give lifesaving care directly on the ice. The team has their own treatment area onsite for smaller emergencies, but if the team physician recognizes the need for prolonged care there are dedicated ambulances that can get players to the hospital in under 5 minutes. Because hockey games cannot continue without a dedicated ambulance onsite, two dedicated ambulances are on standby to ensure the game can continue without interruption, even if a player needs to be taken expeditiously to the hospital.

It's a high-pressure, very public environment, but one that Dr. Katzer thrives in. With the energy of the crowd and the chance to make a real impact on the health and well-being of both players and fans, event medicine at the Honda Center is a truly unique and rewarding experience.