Dr. Laura Solomon shares her journey as a professional ballroom dancer, overcoming reconstructive ankle surgery and a career-threatening Jones fracture in her foot to compete at the highest levels in the world of ballroom dancing. She is joined by her team; her teacher and partner, Oscar Pedrinelli, and her podiatrist, Dr. Howard Osterman. They talk about the power of positive thinking, treatment for a Jones fracture, prevention foot and ankle injuries, and what it takes to excel in dance.
Links
Athletes and the Arts: http://www.athletesandthearts.com
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine: http://www.aapsm.org
Blackpool Dance Festival: https://www.blackpooldancefestival.com
Our guests:
Dr. Laura Solomon is a special education consultant in Washington, DC, who is an avid ballroom dancer and who competes in national and international pro-am competitions (i.e. was a silver medalist in ballroom dancing in the Sydney, Australia Gay Games Olympics). She and Oscar have won and have been finalists in many other competitions in the United States and overseas. In 2019, she placed second in her age division at the prestigious Blackpool competition in Blackpool, England, dancing with Oscar on a severe ankle injury.
Dr. Howard Osterman practices in Washington DC and Silver Spring, Maryland and is a former President of the AAPSM. He has represented AAPSM at the Joint Commission on Sports Medicine and Science and is the team podiatrist for the Washington Wizards and a consultant to Georgetown University athletics while being a partner in the Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, LLC.
Oscar Pedrinelli is from Milan, Italy, and began his dance training as a young child. He lives in New York with his wife and professional partner and spends his time between NY and DC. When he is not dancing, he is pursuing a degree in business.