Thomas Pommering, DO Thomas Pommering, DO, Medical Director, Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine, is fellowship trained and board certified in sports medicine, and is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Dr. Pommering attended medical school at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine before completing an internship at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, a family practice medicine at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and a sports medicine fellowship at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Family Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He also is head team physician and medical director for Capital University Athletics and Athletic Training Education Program. Dr. Pommering regularly teaches pediatric and family medicine residents, athletic trainers, school nurses and coaches about sports medicine issues in both the clinical and didactic settings. He is the medical director for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, a team physician with Canal Winchester High School, and a volunteer physician with the Columbus Marathon. Lastly, he is part of a multi-disciplinary team at Nationwide Children's Hospital working to provide specialized care to athletes with concussions.

Anastasia Fischer, MD Dr. Fischer joined Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine in 2005. She received her undergraduate degree in engineering from Miami University of Ohio, a masters degree in exercise physiology from the University of Georgia, and her medical degree from The Ohio State University. She served as a resident with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and as a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow at Maine Medical Center.

Dr. Fischer is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society of Sports Medicine. She has made numerous presentations throughout her career on topics including the female athlete triad, concussions, physical examination skills and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She is also active in teaching the sports medicine curriculum to the pediatric residents at Nationwide Children's. She is a team physician and adjunct faculty for Capital University. Dr. Fischer is part of the multidisciplinary team at Nationwide Children's Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition working to develop a program to combat childhood obesity. She is a volunteer physician with the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure and Tour de Grandview. In addition, Dr. Fischer is a sports medicine representative for the Ohio branch of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on home and school health.

Richard E. Rodenberg Jr., MD Dr. Richard Rodenberg joined Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine in 2007. He is board certified by the Ohio and Kentucky medical boards of medical licensure in internal medicine, pediatrics and primary care sports medicine. He received his undergraduate degree in microbiology from Miami University of Ohio and his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio. He served as a resident with the Indiana University Medical Center and as a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow at the University of Kentucky.

Steven C. Cuff, MD, FAAP Dr. Steven Cuff is the newest member of the Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine team. He is a board certified pediatrician and recently completed a fellowship in sports medicine at Akron Children’s Hospital, where he served as a team physician for the University of Akron and Walsh University. He received his bachelor of science degree in biology from Duke University and his medical degree from The Ohio State University. He completed his pediatrics residency at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital/University Hospitals of Cleveland prior to the fellowship.

Lisa Kluchurosky, MEd, ATC  (Email Me) Lisa Kluchurosky, MEd, ATC, is the Program Manager for Children’s Sports Medicine. She spent more than 13 years working as an athletic trainer in the Columbus Public Schools before joining Children’s. She is licensed by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board and certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. She received her master’s degree from Ashland University after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati.

In addition to being an active member of the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Lisa is a clinical instructor at both Capital University and Otterbein College. In 2004, she was named Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association. Lisa has authored numerous publications on the pediatric and adolescent athlete and presented lectures to physicians, athletic trainers, nurses and other allied health professionals. She is an advocate for the education of athletes, parents and coaches on proper recognition and care of injuries. A former softball, basketball and volleyball player, Lisa now enjoys recreational exercise, golf and biking. She also is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Lisa discovered that she wanted to be an athletic trainer when she was in high school. “The career of athletic training was introduced to me by my high school basketball coach and mentor, Barb Crysler,” Lisa explained. “She explained to me what an athletic trainer was. When I looked into it further, I knew that was what I wanted to do for a living. My favorite part about being an athletic trainer has always been working with kids. I’ve had the privilege to meet and work with many great coaches along the way as well.”

Kerry Waple, MEd, ATC, CSCS  (Email me) Kerry Waple is the Senior Athletic Trainer with Children’s Sports Medicine. She is a certified and licensed athletic trainer and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical education/athletic training from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and her master’s degree in education (athletic training/sports medicine) from the University of Virginia.

Kerry has had unique experience with the United States Olympic Team. In 2003, she was selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee to serve as an athletic trainer for USA Basketball for the World Championships for Women’s Basketball in Croatia and as an athletic trainer for the USA Basketball 2003 National Team Trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs. She also spent several months in residence at the USOTC, as a visiting athletic trainer, helping to prepare athletes for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Greece. In 1996, she was selected to serve as an athletic trainer for the US Team at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. She also has served as an athletic trainer for the Pan American Games (1995); US Olympic Festival (1994); and the Big East All-Star Women’s Basketball Team (1993). Since 1997, she has been a member of the US Olympic Committees Sports Medicine Society. Prior to joining Children’s, Kerry was an associate professor and assistant athletic trainer at Capital University. At Capital, she provided clinical services for the Women’s Basketball and Men’s Soccer and Baseball teams. As a full-time faculty member, she provided instruction to undergraduates in the CAAHEP-Accredited Athletic Training Curriculum. From 1997 to 2000, she served as Chair of the Health and Sports Sciences Department at Capital. In 1998, Kerry was awarded the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year. Kerry also has served as an athletic trainer/clinical instructor at the University of Pittsburgh, concentrating on Women’s Basketball, and Men’s and Women’s Track/Cross Country and Cheerleading teams. She also was a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Virginia. Kerry enjoys hiking, biking and camping and is an avid skier. “I became a certified athletic trainer because I loved the idea of working with injured athletes, helping to restore their function, and returning them to their sport as safely and efficiently as possible,” Kerry explained. “I have also loved all the different experiences I have had with athletes from all different levels of sport, from the Olympic caliber athlete to the college, high school and middle school competitor. They all have their own championships and medals to win.”

Jill Ponzi, MEd, ATC  (Email me) Jill Ponzi received her bachelor’s degree in Education from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree in Education from Ashland University. She is licensed by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board and certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.  In addition, she has an Ohio K-12 teaching certification in physical education and health and is a CPR/AED Instructor for the American Heart Association.

Prior to joining Children’s Sports Medicine, Jill was an athletic trainer in Columbus Public Schools and for the past 7 years she taught Health and Physical Education at Westerville North High School where she also worked as the Head Athletic Trainer. In 1998, she was the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association (OATA) High School Athletic Trainer of the Year and in 2004, she received an OATA Special Consideration Award. Jill is the newsletter editor for the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association, where she also serves on the Professional Education Committee. She is the Secretary for the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association and serves on the Columbus Medical Association Sports Medicine Committee. Jill loves watching sports, especially high school athletics. “My high school football coach handed me a brochure the summer before my senior year about a student athletic trainer camp. I attended the camp at Ohio State University and decided that week I wanted to become an athletic trainer after meeting OSU Head Athletic Trainer Linda Daniel — I wanted to be just like her!” Jill explained. “My position at Children’s Sports Medicine is the dream job I have always wanted. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to work for and with such great people who care so much about kids!”

Melissa Wilgus, MS, ATC, CSCS, PES  (Email me) Melissa Wilgus is a certified and licensed athletic trainer as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified performance enhancement specialist. She received her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Ohio University and her master’s degree in exercise physiology/adult fitness from the University of Akron. She is married and has a 2-year-old son.

In addition to being a member of the Children’s Sports Medicine team, Melissa is the assistant athletic trainer at New Albany High School. Prior to joining Children’s she worked in outpatient physical therapy for national health care company and as an athletic trainer with three area high schools, most recently Canal Winchester High School. Melissa was an avid athlete in high school, playing volleyball, basketball and track at the varsity level. She continued playing recreational sports in college. “I love sports and being active as well as helping people,” she explained. “Being an athletic trainer was one way I could build a career doing things I loved to do.” Melissa truly enjoys the range of ages she gets to work with through Children’s Sports Medicine. “I enjoy being associated with opening doors and providing new opportunities for the young athlete,” she said. “Probably the greatest reward for me as an athletic trainer is returning a child to play, whether it is to a sport or running down the sidewalk.”

Doug Wolf, MS, ATC, CSCS  (Email me) Doug Wolf is a certified and licensed athletic trainer and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. In addition to being a member of the Children’s Sports Medicine team, he is the head athletic trainer at Reynoldsburg High School. Previously, Doug served as an intern athletic trainer with the Cincinnati Bengals; a graduate assistant athletic trainer for University of Connecticut football; and as an assistant athletic trainer for football and baseball at the University of Cincinnati.

Doug received his undergraduate degree in athletic training and sports management from Wilmington College and received his master’s degree in Allied Health (Health Promotion) from the University of Connecticut. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Regarding why he chose to become an athletic trainer, Doug explained, “I chose to be an athletic trainer because it allows me to assist people of all ages — whether they are elite athletes or weekend warriors — maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to enjoy the benefits of physical activity.”

Tara Beals  (Email me) Tara Beals is the clinic assistant for Dr. Anastasia Fischer.  She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Family Studies and will complete her Master’s in Health Administration/Education from the University of Phoenix Online in June 2009.  Tara has been with Nationwide Children’s Hospital for over eight years and came to the Sports Medicine department in 2005 as the administrative assistant for the department.  She is also certified in CPR/AED. Tara was an active athlete throughout high school and college participating in gymnastics, cheerleading, and soccer.  She lives in Columbus with her husband Chris.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, outdoor activities, and spending time with friends and family. Her love of sports and being part of a team that educates and help athletes return to play is what drew her to sports medicine.  She stated, “There is nothing better than seeing a patient’s face after being told they can return to the sport they love.”

Tammy Stone  (Email me)

Tammy Stone is the medical assistant to Dr. Richard Rodenberg. She attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Southeast College of Technology, where she earned a degree in Medical Assisting.  She came to Nationwide Children’s from an orthopedic/sports medicine facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Her interest in sports medicine came from being a former high school athlete  “I wish they would have had a facility like the one here at Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine when I was an athlete.  It would have done wonders to my athletic career.”    

She is married to husband Craig, an Ohio native, and has three children, Kelsie, Mason, and Madison.  She enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family.