THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602200072
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
If you know much about basketball, then you know all about Dr. J. But what about Dr. G? That's right, the Beach can boast of its own hoops star, and what's more SHE has the medical degree to back up her title.
Dr. Sandy Glasson, an orthopaedic surgeon, recently returned from Russia where she served as team physician for the U.S. women's national basketball team. She would like to end up in Atlanta this summer, but because the team physicians are chosen by the U.S. Olympic committee and not the teams, she may have to wait another four years for her shot at Olympic history.
Glasson earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she majored in computer science and electrical engineering. But she switched allegiances and majors, and ended up in med school at Duke. She's a Blue Devil first, and a Wahoo second, she says.
As a surgeon, she specializes in sports injuries and pediatric orthopaedics, working mostly out of Vann-Atlantic's First Colonial Road office.
Full name: Sandra Elise Glasson, M.D.
Hometown: Pennsauken, N.J.
What brought you to the Beach? An excellent job opportunity. . . here at the Beach I had the unique ability to pursue both sports medicine and pediatric orthopaedics.
Birthdate: Dec. 10, 1959
Occupation: Orthopaedic surgeon. . . specialist in sports medicine and pediatric orthopaedics (the only female orthopedist in Southeast Virginia).
Nickname: San
Marital status: Single
Children: (None of my own). . . all the ``kids'' I take care of each day in my office and at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A few extra winks of sleep/a par round of golf, with a hole-in-one, of course/ a candlelight dinner for two.
Last smart thing you did: Became a partner of Vann-Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists.
Last dumb thing you did: Challenged the only four-time Olympic basketball player, Teresa Edwards, to a free-throw shooting contest.
Favorite meal: Any meal that someone cooks for me.
Favorite movies: ``It's a Wonderful Life'' (especially on the U.Va. campus during final exams).
Favorite song: Any song by Toni Braxton.
Last book read: ``Waiting to Exhale,'' by Terry McMillan.
Hobbies: Golf, travel, skiing and reading novels.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My age. . . I want to be a kid all over again.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? N/A
Secret vice: Gummy Bears and Godiva Chocolate
Your favorite night on the town: Relaxing at home with a warm, crackling fire in the fireplace.
Favorite restaurant: Yia Yia's Kitchen
Favorite TV shows: ``Friends,'' Duke basketball, NFL football (``Go Eagles'')
Favorite sport: Golf
Pets: Scooby, my white cocker spaniel.
Worst job: The long hours of a Duke Orthopaedic resident. . . 36 straight hours in the hospital, then 12 hours off, then 36 more hours in the hospital, then 12 hours off etc., etc., etc.
Last vacation: To Russia and Kiev with the Women's Olympic Basketball Team.
Of what achievements are you most proud? (1) Being selected to the sports hall of fame at my high school, (2) Earning a basketball scholarship to U.Va. at 5 feet 2 inches tall (on a good day), (3) Surviving Duke Orthopaedics with a smile, (4) Being selected as a team physician for the U.S. Soccer and USA Basketball National Teams and traveling all over the world.
What would you like as your epitaph? . . . Did it with a smile. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
by CNB