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Release Date: 8/14/2009
Heart Care Nurse Scores Spot on Senior Olympic Badminton Team
Kevin Ross, a registered nurse in the Cardiovascular Stepdown Unit of St. Anthony’s Medical Center, recently represented Missouri in the badminton competition of the U.S. Senior Olympic Games in Palo Alto, Ca.
For Kevin Ross, it all started with a flyer that arrived in his mailbox, offering badminton lessons for $20. Always athletic, Ross had done some biking, martial arts and tennis, but he’d never played badminton. He thought, “Why not?”
“As soon as I hit the bird the first time, I was hooked,” Ross said. “I love the sound it makes and the way it flies. It’s very aerodynamic and very graceful.”
That was 18 years and countless matches ago; and, most recently, one trip to Palo Alto, Ca. to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senior Olympics. Ross, 51, and his partner, Stephen Frei, qualified to play in the national badminton competition, which took place Aug. 3 through 5. Although he was eliminated after three matches, Ross describes the experience as “a blast.”
“I just ran out of gas,” he admitted with a grin. “But I am still on my training regime, and I plan to try again next year.”
Ross, who lives in the Central West End with his wife, Ann Disinger, has come a long way since those first badminton lessons. He joined badminton clubs, attended camps and began playing in tournaments all over the country. At his peak, he said he played four or five times a week. He’s also been sidelined a few times with injuries.
“I once tore an Achilles tendon, which landed me in a wheelchair for six weeks and in a walking cast for 12 weeks,” he said with a wry grin. “Right now, I have issues with my wrist, elbow and knee – but I won’t stop until I’m crippled!”
While badminton doesn’t enjoy widespread popularity in this country – it has been an official U.S. Olympic event at only the last two summer games and a U.S. Senior Olympic event for only about 10 years – it is the number one sport in Thailand and the number two sport in India, behind cricket. It is considered an Asian sport that originated in India; and at least three-fourths of the world’s badminton players are Asian, Ross said.
“Badminton is a very aerobic sport that requires good hand/eye coordination and short, explosive movements – power, finesse and speed,” Ross said. “They say there are three reasons people play sports: competence, neuroses and aggression. I play badminton because I’m good at it – competence – and maybe I’m a little aggressive too,” he added with a grin. “The main thing is just to find a sport you like and keep in good shape as long as you can. Just go and have fun.”
When Ross is not on the badminton court, he works as a registered nurse in the Cardiovascular Stepdown Unit of St. Anthony’s Medical Center. Ross joined St. Anthony’s in October 2008, after several career detours. He holds BS degrees in both nursing and computer science, and worked as a computer programmer in both the aerospace industry and the financial sector. He also worked as a nurse at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital for nine years, including three years as a nurse manager.
“My best friend’s mom, who was a nurse for 40 years, convinced me to give nursing a try,” Ross said. “The Catholic mission of social justice appealed to me, and at St. Anthony’s we live that mission. I took a big pay cut to change careers; but I asked myself, ‘Is the best time of your time before you or behind you?’ I decided the answer is, ‘The best time of your life is NOW.’ I don’t regret my decision.”
Ross’ co-workers threw him a “good luck” party before he took off for Palo Alto, after word spread that he was “going for the gold.” His manager, Karen Wray, R.N., said his patients and co-workers alike were excited for him.
“Kevin is very much a team player, always ready to help everyone,” Wray said. “He’s a very well-rounded nurse and gives excellent patient care. We are blessed to have him at St. Anthony’s.”
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit our find a physician online.
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