Wednesday, April 14, 2010
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Presbyterian Healthcare has partnered with Union County Public Schools to provide advanced sports medicine care to student-athletes at the system's high schools. The seven-year agreement will be established immediately.
"Presbyterian is committed to improving the health of our communities, one person at a time," said Roland Bibeau, president of Presbyterian Hospital Matthews. "This partnership will enhance the safety and well-being of every high school student-athlete competing for Union County Public Schools."
The new program will kick off this spring with the placement of a certified athletic trainer at Piedmont High School. Three additional trainers will be hired at the beginning of each football season over the next three school years, meaning that Presbyterian will have 10 certified athletic trainers in Union County schools by fall 2012. Trainers will be able to offer various treatments onsite throughout the school week, provideing a major upgrade over services that are currently available. Student-athletes will also have convenient access to physicians, physical therapists and advanced imaging services.
In addition to trainers, Presbyterian will provide game-day medical coverage as well as annual sports physicals to help all prospective student-athletes meet that requirement. The health system will also provide CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to first responders and will assist with the creation and implementation of emergency preparedness plans at the district and individual school level. Presbyterian sports medicine experts will offer sports injury seminars and clinics to coaches and parents as well as nutrition education and other in-services, including concussion management, H1N1 flu, MRSA (a bacterial skin infection) and overall wellness programs.
"By providing trainers onsite every day of the school week as well as game-day coverage, annual sports physicals and year-round education for coaches, parents and student-athletes, our team will be able to prevent many injuries before they occur," said Eric Warren, M.D., medical director of the new program and a primary care sports medicine physician with Waxhaw Family Physicians & Sports Medicine. "When injuries or other sports-related emergencies do happen, student-athletes will have access to advanced care, ensuring the least possible impact on their athletic careers and their health."
To learn more about Presbyterian sports medicine, visit www.presbyterian.org/sportsmed.
