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Home News ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch lends a hand to ‘Tee Up for Trauma’ event

ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch lends a hand to ‘Tee Up for Trauma’ event

Published: Friday, April 3, 2009

Annual golf tournament raises money for trauma care at UT Medical Center

Nationally recognized sports commentator Dr. Jerry Punch will serve as honorary chair of the 2009 TEE UP for Trauma golf tournament. The annual event raises money for the Trauma Center at The University of Tennessee Medical Center, the region’s only Level I trauma center. Punch is ESPN’s lead commentator for NASCAR coverage.

“I am thrilled to be a part of UT Medical Center’s TEE UP for Trauma event,” Punch said. “I know the East Tennessee community is better off because of the incredible team of professionals who respond to each and every trauma in the region. I encourage any golfer and any company who wants to help provide needed funding for such a vital piece of our healthcare community to sign up today for TEE UP for Trauma.”

Punch, the former emergency room physician who has been with ESPN since 1984, will join event co-chairs J.D. Jenkins, owner of Facility Services Group, and David Young, senior manager with LBMC, as well as a committee of volunteers in creating this year’s TEE UP for Trauma. The 2009 event is Wednesday, May 20 at the Landmark Golf Club at Avalon, located in Lenoir City, TN.

UT Medical Center used the money raised from the 2008 TEE UP for Trauma event directly for patient care by purchasing a laptop-sized portable ultrasound machine. The machine enables trauma surgeons to utilize an ultrasound image to detect within seconds unsafe conditions in a patient that would require immediate surgery.

Golf slots for TEE UP for Trauma, which is now in its fourth year, sell out every year. To reserve your spot in this year’s tournament or to become a sponsor of the 2009 Tee Up for Trauma event, call the Office of Development at UT Medical Center at 865.305.6611.

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