Former Champcar medical chief and famed trauma expert Dr Stephen Olvey has been appointed as director of medical services for the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
Olvey is best known as the medical chief of CART from 1978 to 2003, and is a consultant to the Indy 500. He is also a Founding Fellow of the FIA Institute for Motor Sports Safety.
COTA says that Olvey’s responsibilities “include securing medical equipment, personnel and resources for facility and event operations as well as building relationships with local hospitals, medical facilities and public safety officials. He will oversee a professional team of doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians and volunteers. Dr Olvey plans to be present at major races and events, commuting often to Austin prior to the first race to oversee the development of the medical operations.”
“I jumped at the chance to be in on the ground floor of developing what promises to be one of the most advanced rapid response trauma care systems in the world of sports,” said Olvey in a COTA statement.
“I believe Circuit of the Americas will become not only a centre where sports injuries will be effectively treated, but also a centre for research into the issues that can affect all athletes such as concussion, spinal cord injury, and severe traumatic brain injury.”
Race chairman Tavo Hellmund said: “Stephen Olvey is without question, one of the foremost experts in this arena. The rapid response system he designed with Dr Terry Trammel saved Alex Zanard’s life at Lausitzring in 2001 after a devastating crash amputated his legs. Every driver and team wants Dr Olvey at their race.”
Adam Cooper F1 