The Tennessee Orthopaedic Society (TOS) announced a new partnership with the Safe Stars Initiative, a statewide effort dedicated to elevating safety standards in youth sports leagues across Tennessee. This collaboration underscored a shared commitment to protecting young athletes through education, prevention, and proactive health policies.
As part of the partnership, Dr. Eric Bowman, President of the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society, will serve as a liaison for the Safe Stars Initiative, helping bridge communication and collaboration between orthopaedic specialists and youth sports organizations throughout the state.
The Safe Stars Initiative is a collaborative program developed by the Tennessee Department of Health and the Vanderbilt Youth Sports Health Center. Its mission is to recognize youth sports leagues that demonstrate the highest commitment to athlete safety by implementing evidence-based policies and best practices.
Safe Stars recognizes leagues through a tiered system consisting of Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. Each level reflects increasing standards of safety and preparedness, with participating leagues implementing policies focused on critical areas such as concussion education, weather and heat safety, emergency action planning, and injury prevention.
The initiative’s overarching goal is to ensure that every youth sports league—regardless of size or location—has access to the resources and guidance needed to enhance athlete safety. Criteria for Safe Stars recognition were developed by a multidisciplinary committee of healthcare professionals dedicated to reducing sports-related injuries among children and adolescents.
Through this partnership, the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society brings clinical expertise, advocacy, and leadership to the Safe Stars Initiative, reinforcing the importance of medically informed decision-making in youth sports. Together, these organizations aim to create safer playing environments and promote long-term health outcomes for young athletes across Tennessee.