Grace's Comeback
Unstoppable After Injury
Grace Strickland was at the top of her golf game as a sophomore at the York College of Pennsylvania in 2024, earning All-MAC honors for the second consecutive season. Her dedication to the sport and her impressive performance made her a standout among her peers. But later that year, she faced an unexpected challenge—a shoulder injury that required surgery, forcing her to miss the entire fall season.
The Road to Rehabilitation
Grace’s care team – Eric Fester, MD; Victoria Smith, PT; and Joe Dudics, PT – worked together to comprehensively address her injury. Joe conducted a golf swing analysis to pinpoint areas that could reduce stress on her shoulder in the long term. This assessment allowed the team to tailor a rehabilitation program specifically for Grace’s needs. The focus was not only on healing, but also on optimizing her technique to prevent future injuries. In the months following her surgery with Dr. Fester, Victoria worked closely with Grace, guiding her through targeted exercises and adjustments that supported her recovery and athletic goals.
Back On Top
With perseverance and the support of her care team, she returned to the golf course for the spring season. And her commitment to her rehab program paid off! In a triumphant comeback, Grace won her conference tournament and was named conference player of the year. Her achievements are a testament to her hard work and the personalized care she received from her care team and the Golf Rehabilitation Program at Premier Health.
“Joe and Victoria have been nothing short of fantastic throughout my entire recovery! I cannot speak highly enough of them, Dr. Fester, and everyone else at Premier Health,” Grace says. “Not only am I golfing again, but I’m excelling at the collegiate level. Being able to rehab my shoulder, improve my swing, and make adjustments to prevent further injury was crucial to my return. Making such a strong comeback, with my family, friends, and teammates there to witness it, made it all worth it.”
