With crayons and markers in hand, children from the C.E. Rose Elementary School in Tucson will spend an afternoon (Thursday, December 9) designing the playground of their dreams – a place where all children can play together safely. Then, in a single day (March 5, 2005), orthopaedic surgeons from Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, in partnership with the national non-profit organization KaBOOM!, will lead a team of volunteers to physically build it.

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute doctors, their staff, families and friends, along with the Tucson Medical Center Foundation, and other health care and community volunteers have rallied to this effort, a direct result of a national initiative of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Their campaign, Prevent Injuries America!®, is aimed at reducing musculoskeletal injuries. In 2003, there were 465,000 playground-related injuries treated in the U.S.

Playground Design Day marks the kick-off of this local project. From 1:00–2:00 PM at C.E. Rose Elementary, 710 W. Michigan, (near 12th & Ajo), kids and adults from the school community will participate in exercises designed by the KaBOOM! staff to determine what equipment and colors the children would most like, as well as rules for playground use.

Lawrence R. Housman, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon and President of Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, officials from KaBOOM!, Michael Duran, President, Tucson Medical Center Foundation, and C.E. Rose children and staff will be on hand to share information about playground safety.

C.E. Rose Elementary is a TUSD school that serves approximately 500 children in grades K-5. The school has been serving the community since 1948. C.E. Rose Elementary was recognized as one of the five top Reading First schools in the State of Arizona in the 2003-2004 school year.

There is currently a small play structure for grade K- 2 students on site which does not nearly accommodate the large student population. The school recognizes a new playground is integral to enhancing the health of their students, promoting social skills and building self-esteem.

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute doctors are concerned not only about broken bones resulting from playground accidents, but also about those children who do not have the benefit of healthy play. They see many adults who now suffer from bone and joint disease because they did not establish exercise as part of their lifestyle in their formative years. Building this play space for the C.E. Rose community reflects the physician’s commitment to the importance of play and exercise in building healthy bones and healthy people.

MORE INFORMATION
Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, organizing sponsor of this project, is one of the Southwest’s leading medical practices in bone, joint and muscle disorders for both adults and children. The thirty-physician medical staff includes orthopaedic surgeons and non-surgical specialists in general orthopaedics and fractures, foot and ankle, hand and upper extremity, joint replacement, orthopaedic oncology, pediatric orthopaedics, spine and sports medicine. The physicians are committed to community education and outreach efforts to promote lifestyles that create strong, healthy bones, joints and muscles.

Prevent Injuries America! ® is a campaign organized on behalf of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. www.aaos.org.

KaBOOM! has been motivating communities nationwide to create healthy play opportunities for young people since 1995. Utilizing a community-build model that brings together resources from corporate, foundation and community interests, KaBOOM! has created more than 700 new playgrounds and skate parks and renovated more than 1,300 playgrounds. KaBOOM! headquarters are in Washington, D.C., with offices in Chicago, Atlanta and Redwood City, CA. www.kaboom.org.

Tucson Medical Center Foundation, a lead contributing sponsor of this project, supports the charitable mission of TMC HealthCare and is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life in our community. www.tmcaz.com.