Forte Orthopedic Research Institute (FORI), formerly known as the Methodist Sports Medicine Research & Education Foundation, announces (in this provided release) Rachel Meyer of Cross Plains is one of four Indiana student athletes recognized with a 2022 Thomas A. Brady, MD Comeback Scholarship Award.
The Brady Comeback Awards honor both male and female student athletes at the collegiate and high school level from Indiana who have distinguished themselves by overcoming adversity or injury and returned and excelled beyond expectations in their respective sports.
A South Ripley High School student athlete, Meyer is recognized for her ability to push through adversity while inspiring and encouraging everyone around her. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer between her volleyball and basketball seasons, she underwent two surgeries and persevered through a grueling recovery process to help lead her basketball team to their second-straight sectional championship.
Meyer was nominated for the Brady Comeback Award by Matthew McNew, South Ripley High School basketball coach.
“Rachel has proven there is no mountain too high or valley too low that she cannot conquer,” said McNew. “She is well-deserving of this scholarship and has shown her ability to come back and overcome adversity. As I watched Rachel fight back this season, I had no doubt she will become an asset to our society,”
The Brady Comeback Awards are named for Dr. Thomas A. Brady, a founder of Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, formerly Methodist Sports Medicine, and known as the father of sports medicine in Central Indiana. In the early 1960s, Brady, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 95, set up a walk-in clinic in the basement of Methodist Hospital where he treated injuries at no charge.
Recipients of the Brady Comeback Awards receive a $1,500 scholarship, to be awarded at the 17th annual Brady Sports Achievement Awards, presented by Physicians Rehab Solution and hosted by FORI, the non-profit arm of Forté, in partnership with the Indiana High School Athletic Association. This year’s event will take place Thursday, June 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Renaissance North Indianapolis Hotel in Carmel, Indiana, with all proceeds supporting FORI in its mission to lead advances in orthopedic care and sports medicine through research and education to enhance quality of life.
More about Rachel Meyer…
Between successful volleyball and basketball seasons, Rachel Meyer overcame hardships that, by all accounts, made this outstanding young woman and student athlete an even stronger person, teammate and leader. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Rachel underwent two surgeries to remove her thyroid. The recovery process left her struggling to play at her former level, but through it all, Rachel kept a positive attitude and never gave up. By the end of basketball season, she was named to the All-Conference, All-County and All-Sectional basketball teams. Rachel helped lead her team to their second-straight sectional title as the team’s leading rebounder, leading assist and co-captain.
“Her teammates look up to her for leadership during practice, during games, in every huddle and even off the court,” says Lisa Gilpin, volleyball coach at South Ripley High School.
We thank FORI for the scholarship award information.