UTHealth Houston EM Provides Sideline Coverage for UFL Season Opener

The Department of Emergency Medicine at UTHealth Houston proudly provided Sideline Team EM Physician coverage for the United Football League (UFL) (external link) season opener at Shell Energy Stadium (external link), supporting athlete safety through real-time emergency preparedness and on-field medical care.

Hashim Zaidi, MD, MBA, FAEMS and PGY1, Tommy Maloney represented our department on the sidelines, contributing to game-day medical operations and gaining valuable experience in the dynamic environment of event medicine.

Sideline coverage provides a unique extension of emergency medicine beyond the hospital setting. Responsibilities include pre-game planning, emergency action preparation, coordination with on-site personnel, and rapid evaluation of potential injuries or acute medical concerns during live athletic events.

Experiences like this reflect the department’s continued commitment to preparing residents for a wide range of clinical environments while reinforcing the principles of readiness, teamwork, and high-quality emergency care.

The Houston Gamblers (external link) opened the season with a win, marking an exciting start to both the team’s year and UTHealth Houston EM’s involvement in UFL sideline coverage! As the season continues, our team remains committed to delivering expert care and support, on and off the field.

EM Resident Opportunity: Residents interested in participating in Sideline Team Emergency Physician (STEP) coverage for upcoming UFL home games at Shell Energy Stadium are encouraged to sign up via the department’s UFL Resident Sign Up Spreadsheet (external link). Participation is an educational opportunity, with one resident selected per game.

Gambler photos credit: @uflgamblers (external link)