Dr. Sally Harris joined the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Sports Medicine Department in 1991. She is jointly trained in pediatrics and non-surgical sports medicine and specializes in pediatric and adolescent sports medicine. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and received her medical degree from Duke University. Both her internship and residency took place at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill. Dr. Harris completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles. She also received training in preventive medicine and a master's degree in public health degree, with a concentration in epidemiology, from the University of North Carolina.

In addition to her work in the Sports Medicine Department, Dr. Harris is also a physician in PAMF's Pediatrics Department and a clinical instructor of pediatrics at Stanford University. She currently serves as the team physician for several local high schools. Among her professional interests and specialties are the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of acute and overuse injuries in children and adolescents, unique injury patterns in female adolescent athletes, age appropriate sports participation and training, and risks of intensive training and single sport specialization.

Dr. Harris' professional memberships include the American Academy of Pediatrics (for which she served a term as chair of the Section on Sports Medicine) and the American College of Sports Medicine. She has been a medical advisor to the California Governor's Council on physical fitness and sports. Dr. Harris has served as the team physician for several Stanford University athletic teams, the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, local high school teams and the USA Women's Basketball team, and participates in the Volunteer Olympic Physician Program.

Dr. Harris is a frequent lecturer and has been published widely on topics in sports medicine, exercise, health promotion and disease. In 2003, she received the American Academy of Pediatrics' Career Award for achievement in the field of pediatric and adolescent sports medicine.

In her spare time, Dr. Harris enjoys being with her family, traveling and a number of sports, including cycling, kayaking, cross-country skiing, windsurfing, running and tennis.

FAQs about Kid's and Sports

• Physical Activity, Sports and the Pre-pubescent Child
  
• Coed sports and children?
  
• Do I have an awkward child?
  
• Encouraging kids to play more?
  
• How can I tell if my child is developing an overuse injury?
  
• How do I prevent dehydration in children?
  
• How should I choose a sports program for my child?
  
• Initially Treating Sports Injury -- R.I.C.E.
  
• Is it OK for my nine-year-old child to participate in a contact sport like football?
  
• Is it safe for prepubertal children to lift weights?
  
• Safe sports for kids?
  
• Should a child stretch before exercising?
  
• Should my child participate in P.E. at School?
  
• Too much sports practice for kids?
  
• Training programs for kids?
  
• What activities are best for my child?
  
• What are the most common types of injuries for children in sports?