For Stephanie Aldret, DO, FAOASM, VCOM-Louisiana's discipline chair for family medicine and sports medicine, the journey to becoming a physician for the U.S. Olympic Women's Trampoline team is a testament to her passion for sports, health and human performance.
Growing up in Oklahoma, where her family managed a travel agency responsible for the University of Oklahoma’s football travel, Dr. Aldret was no stranger to the world of sports. "I grew up going on business trips to the Orange Bowl for college football," she recalls. With her love of football, she found her niche as a cheerleader, always on the sidelines and intrigued by human performance, movement and health.
Her journey took a pivotal turn during a high school football game when a classmate suffered a severe ankle injury. "At that point, I decided I wanted to be the person that would run out on the field and take care of the athletes and get them back to the game," she shares. This incident ignited her desire to become an athletic trainer, a dream she pursued with unwavering determination.
While attending OU, a chance encounter with an athletic trainer during a women’s basketball game set her on the path to achieving her goal. "I left cheerleading and pursued athletic training in an internship pathway," she explains. Her assignments with football, cross country and track and field teams exposed her to the crucial role of manipulation in human performance and injury prevention. She reflects, “I saw firsthand the part that manipulation played in human performance and injury prevention and realized I wanted to alter my pathway to becoming a physician—specifically an osteopathic physician so I could do 'regular medicine' plus osteopathic manipulation.”
Dr. Aldret’s ambition to become a physician for the Olympics was not initially part of her plan. Her involvement with the Endeavor Games in Edmond, Oklahoma, a Paralympic qualifying event, and subsequent volunteer opportunities, including the Sitting Volleyball World Championships, laid the groundwork for her future. After completing her sports medicine fellowship at VCOM-Virginia, she sat for her sports medicine board certification in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While there, she was invited to tour the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (USOPC) and later volunteered with this organization. Her prior experience with paralympic athletes uniquely qualified her to excel in this role.
In 2017, Dr. Aldret and her husband, Randy Aldret, EdD, ATC, LAT, CSCS*D, were accepted for volunteer positions at the USOPC. "Being accepted to this two-week rotation was an honor and achievement in and of itself," she states. This experience led to numerous opportunities, including medical coverage for the Elite Challenge and the Dave Schultz International Wrestling Tournament.
Her involvement with USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling (T&T) began during this period, ultimately leading to her role as a team physician. "I continued to work with T&T covering national team training camps, World Cups and World Championships," she elaborates. Dr. Aldret's dedication and expertise earned her the position of team physician for USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling, a role that she has held since 2018.
At the 2024 Olympics, Dr. Aldret will serve as the team doctor for USA Gymnastics-Trampoline. While this is her first Olympic experience, she anticipates an "eat, sleep and train" routine. She is excited about the adventures that lie ahead and about using her osteopathic physician skills to treat advanced athletes and help them stay in peak performance condition.
My experiences with USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling give me more stories for how OMT can be applied in various areas to improve athletic performance, how teamwork with all healthcare providers is necessary for the optimization of health and performance for our patients and to embrace all of the opportunities that are made available to you because you never know where they will take you.
Due to the physical demands of the sport, trampolinists commonly suffer ankle sprains, tendonitis and back pain. Dr. Aldret utilizes soft tissue and manual techniques, including osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), to address these issues. "OMT can be very helpful with treating many of these injuries," she explains.
For Dr. Aldret, witnessing her athletes' success is the most rewarding aspect of being a team physician. "I love seeing them compete and excel," she says. The excitement and scale of the Olympics set the stage for a fantastic and memorable experience for all involved.
Her Olympic and Paralympic experiences have also deepened her appreciation for interprofessional relationships and coach collaboration. "With many of my coaches, I see where technique and safety are what they emphasize most and that many injuries can be prevented if the athletes listen to their coaches," she explained.
Dr. Aldret's Olympic role enriches her work as an instructor at VCOM-Louisiana, where she trains future osteopathic physicians. She draws parallels between the dedication of Olympians and medical students, emphasizing the importance of preparation, planning and self-care of mind, body and spirit. "My experiences with USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling give me more stories for how OMT can be applied in various areas to improve athletic performance, how teamwork with all health care providers is necessary for the optimization of health and performance for our patients and to embrace all of the opportunities that are made available to you because you never know where they will take you."
As Dr. Aldret prepares for the Olympic Games, she encourages everyone to support Team USA, particularly trampolinists Jessica Stevens and Aliaksai Shostak, and alternates Nicole Ahsinger and Ruben Padilla. "Tune in to support Team USA!" she urges.
Dr. Aldret’s journey from the sidelines of Oklahoma football games to the forefront of Olympic sports medicine is a testament to her dedication, expertise and unwavering passion for enhancing human performance and health.