10/16/2026
Dr. Nick Dorsey, our Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program Director, and Dr. Riley Smith recently stepped into action to provide emergency medical care to a local student-athlete during a high school football game.
We’re so thankful to have Dr. Dorsey as part of our team, and grateful for the compassion, expertise, and dedication they both bring to serving our community every day.
An ordinary high school football season opener turned into a medical emergency Friday night, showcasing the vital importance of having trained medical professionals on the sidelines.
While managing routine heat-related issues like muscle cramps due to high humidity, team physicians with HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Dr. Nick Dorsey and medical resident Dr. Riley Smith were forced to act fast when a player collapsed on the field and began having a seizure.
The medical duo immediately rushed onto the field to administer emergency care. They quickly assessed the athlete's vital signs, ensuring his pulse and breathing were satisfactory, and rolled him onto his side to prevent choking. To alleviate restricted breathing, the doctors carefully removed the player's helmet and shoulder pads.
Because the physicians had reviewed the player's pre-sports physical documentation prior to the season, they were already aware of his medical history and prepared for the possibility of such an event. The medical team stabilized the student-athlete on the field until emergency medical services arrived to transport him to a local hospital.
The seizure passed without further complications, and the athlete did not require extensive intervention. The player is recovering well.
Dr. Smith credited the quick and successful response to the seamless cooperation of the school administration, coaching staff, teammates, and the player's family during the incident.
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital launched its Graduate Medical Education Program in partnership with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in 2016. Today, the program includes 10 residency and fellowship programs training 181 physicians.
Residents like Dr. Riley regularly provide medical coverage on the sidelines of sporting events, providing high-quality care when it's needed most. Since 2016, 55 graduates from HCA Florida Ocala Hospital chose to remain in Marion County, strengthening access to care throughout the community.
