Wilcox physician honored

LIHU‘E — A Wilcox Memorial Hospital physician recently traveled to Lac Megantic, Quebec, Canada, to serve as the anti-doping delegate for one of the world’s most prestigious open water swim events.

Dr. Heather Hopkins was selected as the FINA (French for International Swimming Federation) anti-doping delegate from an international field of doctors, the first person selected from the United States in over 15 years.

“It was truly an honor to be chosen,” Hopkins, whose personal goal is to promote healthy sport as a lifestyle choice, said in a release.

“As the official anti-doping delegate I worked with race organizers, the Canadian anti-doping organization CCES (Canadian Center for the Ethics in Sports), and local medical volunteers to ensure a safe, healthy race for the athletes and to oversee the doping control side of the 10K World Cup Open Water Swim.” 

During the event Dr. Hopkins was the athletes’ advocate to make sure the doping control procedures were appropriate and fair.

Dr. Hopkins has a strong background as an athlete in both swimming and in water polo and was an All-American for Junior Olympic Nationals. She currently is on the USA Swimming sports medicine committee and has been involved with the Kaua‘i Water Polo team since its inception. She is also board certified in Sports Medicine and is currently at Wilcox Memorial Hospital as a Physical Medicine and Rehab physician. She has been at Wilcox Memorial Hospital for more than eight years.

Hopkins stays active by continuing her love of the water by playing water polo, body boarding, open ocean swimming and stand up paddling.

FINA is the International Federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competition in five aquatic sports; swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo and open water swimming.