Bio

Dr. “Chuck” Camarata attended the University of Portland and graduated with a B.A. in 1953. Accepted at Oregon Health Science Medical School, he earned his M.D. degree in 1957.

From 1957 to 1960 Dr. Camarata worked for the United States Navy at MCRD. Beginning in 1960 to the present, he has practiced family medicine and sports medicine in Chula Vista. He is Board Certified and a Fellow, AAFP. Notably he served as Chief of Staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Chula Vista from 1967 to 1970. He also was past President of the San Diego Academy of Family Physicians and today is a current Board Member and Chair Emeritus of Continuing Medical Education.

In August of 1973, he was awarded a Lifetime California Community College Instructor Credential in Health and Physical Care Services and Related Technologies. Always the Visionary, Dr. Camarata assisted Dr. David Chao and helped to establish the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation in 2002. Recognizing his continuing contributions to sports medicine, he was the Foundations first honoree and currently sits on its Board of Directors.

Supporting the South Bay community and its thousands of student athletes, Dr. Camarata has volunteered as team physician for Castle Park High School and has been the medical consultant for the Sweetwater District since 1963. As evidence of Dr. Camarata’s dedication to young people, he has assisted at 1200 football games and participated in 10,000 student athlete sports screening examination. He has also organized free Saturday morning injury clinics for the past 25 years helping to diagnosis and treat student athletes participation injuries. In 2004 acknowledging his years of service, the High School Sport Association of San Diego honored Dr. Camarata with its Community Service Award. Currently he is networking to obtain certified trainers at all South Bay high schools and is working with students who are hoping to study athletic training and make it their career.

Amazingly, he has also served Southwestern College as its athletic team physician for 39 years and counting. A familiar face on campus, he has been both Apache and Jaguar attending our Saturday football games at home and one the road—outlasting all our head coaches and always supporting our athletic program. According to SWC’s Head Athletic Trainer Jim Hammond, “Doc is great humanitarian, a great man. He is the father of sports medicine in the South Bay. Whenever I have a question or need help with any athlete, he is always there. His dedication and his working association with physical therapist Ed Ayub and orthopedic Dr’s Selecky and Lenihan have provided us with the best care possible.”

In spite of his many accomplishments, in 1955 Dr. Camarata made the best decision of his life. He married Audrey. According to Hammond, they are a great team and Audrey always knows how to track “Doc” down in any emergency situation. The Camarata’s have seven children, eighteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Dr. Camarata, for your many years of service and generosity to Southwestern College’s student athletes and Athletic Training Program, the Jaguars are honored to induct you into the 2008-2009 Athletic Halls Of Fame.