The Distinguished Lecture Series in Sports Medicine at Hope College will present six addresses during the 2001-02 school year.

The series, which will feature a variety of topics, is designed for health care professionals with an interest in physically active patients, and is intended for students, educators and clinicians alike. It is co- sponsored by Holland Community Hospital, GRSportsCenter and the college.

The series will open on Thursday, Sept. 27, with "An Evidence-Based Approach to Complementary Therapy" by Dr. Donal O'Mathuna of Mt. Carmel College of Nursing. On Monday, Oct. 22, Dr. Shaine Henert of Chicago State University will present "Gender Difference in Coping with Injury." Dr. Debra Vinci of Appalachian State University will present "The Vegetarian Athlete" on Thursday, Nov. 8. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, Dr. Michael Ferrara of the University of Georgia will present "Current Trends in Sports Medicine for Athletes with Disabilities."

The series will continue in the spring semester on Tuesday, Feb. 19, with "Asymmetrical Overload Syndrome: Weight-Bearing Asymmetries and Athletic Injury" by James Porterfield of the Rehabilitation and Health Center of Akron, Ohio. The series will conclude for the season on Wednesday, April 17, with "Evidence-Based Procedures for Managing Cervical Spine-Injured Athletes" by Dr. Douglas Kleiner of the University of North Florida.

The opening lecture on Thursday, Sept. 27; the Nov. 8 lecture; and the closing lecture on Wednesday, April 17, will be held in the Maas Center at Hope College, located on Columbia Avenue at 11th Street in Holland. The other three lectures will be held at Mary Free Bed Hospital, 235 Wealthy, S.E., in Grand Rapids.

All lectures begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free.