MSU SPORTS MEDICINE Department of Radiology HealthTeam 4660 South Hagadorn Suite 420 East Lansing, MI 48823 517?8846100 Fax: 51758846233 MSU is an af?rmative-action, equal?opportunity employer. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY July 8, 2014 Dear USA Gymnastics Board of Directors, i would like to present this letter to you as an official document of my retirement as USA Gymnastics National Medical Coordinator. I was first brought on to the USGF National Medical Staff by Jack Rockwell, ATC, PT in 1985 and then appointed by the Board in 1996 to be the National Medical Coordinator. i appreciate the support that I have received from USA Gymnastics as I served these past 18 years in this volunteer position. Over the years have been able to expand the medical staff and therefore, enhance the care that our athletes have received. During this time, have worked hard in mentoring new staff as they work through the system to best understand how USA Gymnastics functions. The high standard of care that our current medical staff has achieved, allows me to think about retirement. The hardest thing for a leader to do is to know when it is time to step away and let those you mentored take over and lead. Knowing that this day was eventually to come, for the past several years, i have been gradually giving more responsibility to other staff members. lt is by this process that now feel confident that the medical staff have helped to develop will continue to advance USA Gymnastics into a premiere NGB medical system. Currently, many changes are taking place in the medical program and it is a perfect time for me to step back and allow others to lead. My primary role will now be with the women?s artistic program for as long as the program feels i can be an asset to them. I will continue to support my colleagues as they take on new leadership roles in USA Gymnastics. I take pride in the fact that I can comfortably step away at this point in time. With my extra time I will be working with my non?profit foundation, Gymnastics Doctor Autism Foundation. We have just received a grant for $500,000 to conduct research on how the gymnastics based program "Empowering Steps Movement Therapy/? created by Vivian Symington of Club Aviva in Canada, can enhance the cognition of children with Autism, Fetal Alcohol and Cerebral Palsy. if this research accomplishes its goals, it will prove that a gymnastics?based program can be therapeutic to these special needs children. This will then transition into medical insurance companies paying for these children to participate in these programs in our gymnastics clubs. It will open the door for another revenue stream for our club owners and, more importantly, enhance the lives of these special needs children, their families and those that participate in these programs. Thank you once again for your support over these past many years. lam excited to watch the future unfold as USA Gymnastics continues to be an international leader in the wonderful sport of gymnastics. USA Gymnastics Women?s Artistic National Team Doctor Michigan State University Associate Professor and Gymnastics Team Physician Geddert?s Twistars Team Physician Holt High School Gymnastics Team Physician President, Gymnastics Doctor Autism Foundation