Dr. Michael Mack, an emergency medicine physician at UnityPoint Health – Trinity, has been working at the JDC for five years. He and 50 other EMS professionals will be on hand to provide emergency care at this year's John Deere Classic, which runs through Sunday. CREDIT TODD WELVAERT
As the 2025 John Deere Classic tees off this week at TPC Deere Run, UnityPoint Health wants fans to focus on having fun — and staying safe. Thousands are expected to attend both the golf tournament and weekend concerts, and preparation goes a long way in making the most of the experience. Dr. Michael Mack, […]
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As the 2025 John Deere Classic tees off this week at TPC Deere Run, UnityPoint Health wants fans to focus on having fun — and staying safe. Thousands are expected to attend both the golf tournament and weekend concerts, and preparation goes a long way in making the most of the experience.Dr. Michael Mack, an emergency medicine physician at UnityPoint Health – Trinity, has been working at the JDC for five years. He says it’s an “extra shift” for him, but he keeps coming back because he enjoys the “field medicine aspect” of the work. He also enjoys working with the emergency medical services (EMS) crews, as he is the assistant medical director of EMS for UnityPoint.“I enjoy it, I have a field medicine background, and this touches into that field medicine aspect, and I like the people out here,” he told the QCBJ earlier this week. “I get be to out here in this beautiful weather, working with like-minded folks.” UnityPoint Health will staff more than 50 volunteers across medical tents stationed throughout the Silvis golf course, along with a fully equipped medical trailer, ready to respond to emergencies. Dr. Mack brings experience of serving eight years active duty in the Air Force, with two years in special operations. He did critical care air transport for the U.S. Air Force, both on fixed wing and in helicopters. He also served as a tactical physician on SWAT teams in Dayton, Ohio, and worked with the FBI SWAT team out of Cincinnati. He’s been on 40-plus drug busts and currently does government contracting for a company that deploys with the U.S. military.While many might expect to see a lot of dehydration and overheating at the JDC, Dr. Mack said most of what they see is “musculoskeletal injuries,” falls, turned ankles and knees. He also sees a lot of bug bites and sunburns.To stay safe, UnityPoint Health and Dr. Mack recommends:
Hydrate early and often. “Water is your best defense against summer heat. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, which can lead to dehydration,” he said. He also recommends that if you are going to imbibe, augmenting alcoholic beverages with water, making sure “every other drink is a bottle of water.”
Dress smart. Wear light-colored, breathable clothing and comfortable footwear. “Wear light, loose clothes that have good air flow.” Dr. Mack also suggests wearing a hat, especially for those who are “follicularly challenged - like me.”
Use sunscreen and reapply frequently, “especially if you’re sweating.” He emphasizes applying it “not just one time, but multiple times throughout the day.”
Seek shade and take breaks. “Standing in the sun for hours can quickly lead to overheating,” Dr. Mack said. He also noted that just “standing out in direct sunlight and heat is quite draining.”
Listen to your body. “If you feel dizzy, nauseous or weak, seek shade and medical attention immediately,” Dr. Mack said. He added, “(If you) start to feel lightheaded, you start to feel nauseous. You just don’t feel good. It’s time to sit down. It’s time to get out of the heat. It’s time to get out of the sun. It’s time to hydrate. And that doesn’t mean slamming back an entire bottle of water at once. It means sipping it slowly and getting yourself cooled off.”
Watch your step. “Trips and falls are a common reason for medical visits,” Dr. Mack said. He advises being mindful on concrete paths and uneven grassy areas, and “making sure you’re looking down quite often because the ground is uneven and it’s very easy to find a hole. It’s fine easy to find an uneven spot and trip and fall and injure yourself.”
Be insect aware. Use insect repellent and watch for bee stings or insect bites. If you have a known allergy, carry your prescribed EpiPen and alert someone nearby if you’re stung. Dr. Mack recommends using an “appropriate DEET level of bug spray.”
UnityPoint Health has served three decades as the official medical sponsor of the John Deere Classic, a partnership that underscores UnityPoint Health’s long-standing commitment to community health and safety.
