Dec. 29, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Dr. Warren Howe, team physician at Western Washington University since 1992, has been selected to receive a 2005 "Citation Award" from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Dr. Howe, who also serves as a staff physician for WWU Student Health Services, is recognized nationally as a pioneer in the field of sports medicine. He has been a member of the ACSM since 1972 and a Fellow of the college since 1976. He is also a charter member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

According to the ACSM, the "Citation Award" is presented annually to a few individuals who have "made significant and important contributions to sports medicine and/or exercise science." Dr. Howe has worked with and for the ACSM for more than 30 years as a moderator, presenter or committee member. He was a key member of an ad hoc group formed in the 1970's that "defined the knowledge and experiential bases of `sports physician' [for] the ACSM."

In addition to his work with the ACSM, Dr. Howe has been a veteran practitioner of clinical sports medicine. While maintaining a private medical practice in Oak Harbor, WA from 1972 to 1992, he was team physician for Oak Harbor High School. Dr. Howe was attending physician at the Washington state wrestling championships from 1979-1988 and since 1989 has been the head tournament physician. In addition, he was attending physician at the NAIA national wrestling championships in 1976. His longtime service to wrestling was recognized with induction into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991 and into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.

He has been on the editorial board of the Physician and Sports Medicine journal for many years and has contributed several journal articles. In addition to serving as a regular guest speaker in courses offered by WWU's department of physical education, health and recreation, Dr. Howe also collaborated on several research projects and publications.

As a staff physician for WWU's Student Health Services, "Dr. Howe has been a superb clinician and resource to students as well as his co-workers, providing daily clinic coverage and consultation," said director Dr. Emily Gibson.

Dr. Howe will be presented with his Citation Award on June 3, 2005 at the ACSM awards banquet in Nashville, Tennessee.