Two pediatric sports medicine physicians from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) played a key role in supporting Team USA at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay. Christina L. Master, MD, and Naomi Brown, MD, were invited by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee to lead the medical team for American athletes competing at this international event.
For nearly three weeks, Drs. Master and Brown provided care for athletes aged 13 to 23 who participated in 28 different sports. “It was such an honor to represent the U.S. in this role,” said Dr. Master. “These athletes train at an incredibly high level and being able to support them was an unforgettable experience.”
Dr. Master served as Chief Medical Officer, overseeing medical care for more than 200 athletes as well as their coaches and staff. Her responsibilities included running morning training hours, covering competitions throughout the day, and accompanying athletes to local hospitals when necessary. “Since these were teenagers, it was especially important that someone from the team be with them at the hospital,” she explained. “We wanted to make sure they were getting the right testing and treatment, and that nothing was lost in translation.”
Dr. Brown covered events such as sailing and triathlon six hours away from the main venue with a smaller team. She managed sideline care and improvised solutions when needed—at one point using medical glue to repair a wetsuit so an athlete could compete and win gold. “I wore multiple hats,” she said with a laugh. “Physician, supporter, sometimes substitute team mom. You really do whatever is needed in the moment.”
Both doctors also cared for coaches, athletic trainers, and other staff members during their time at the games.
The medical staff addressed not only physical injuries but also mental health concerns among athletes facing performance anxiety or stress from competition pressures. The U.S Olympic & Paralympic Committee sent a sports psychologist who worked alongside doctors to support athlete wellbeing.
“It’s great to see people taking that seriously,” Dr. Master said about mental health support for young competitors abroad. “When you’re on your own as a young athlete in a foreign country, it’s comforting to know you have familiar support systems for both your physical and mental health.”
Language differences posed some challenges but did not hinder collaboration between international teams thanks to translators provided by Paraguay and technology tools like Google Translate.
“A 17-year-old who looks 25 is not 25,” Dr. Brown emphasized regarding pediatric expertise required for treating developing bodies of youth athletes.
“Kids are not little adults,” added Dr. Master.”You have to explain injuries and treatment plans in ways that make sense to the athlete, and to their parents and coaches.”
Their experiences highlighted unique aspects of pediatric sports medicine: working closely with families; communicating effectively with parents; understanding developmental needs; preparing for emergencies without easy access to familiar resources; recognizing how youth sports are changing due to increased commercialization; and emphasizing lifelong participation over elite achievement.
“The highest rate of kids quitting sports is around age 14,” Dr.Master explained.“Athletes that continue do so because the motivation comes from inside them—not because of external pressure from parents.That internal drive is what makes the difference.”
Dr.Brown noted,“Most of the athletes we treat are not competing at an elite level.We want to help foster talents but also make sure they don’t get burned out.We want to create lifelong athletes…”
They advise families of young athletes: focus on basics like nutrition,sleep,inury prevention,recovery,and fun.Maintaining enjoyment helps ensure continued participation into adulthood.Dr.Brown concluded,“We want parents to help their children become the best people they can,and sports can help with that.”
