News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/16/2016 12:00:00 AM EASTERN
Updated: 9/16/2016 9:23:01 AM EASTERN
For more information, contact Tammy Allison.
Mary Rutan Hospital Continues Investment in Area Student Athletes
2016 Athletic Trainers

As the fall high school sports season kicked off, Mary Rutan Hospital expanded athletic training services to two more area schools. Riverside and Urbana City School Districts join Indian Lake, Benjamin Logan and Bellefontaine in receiving athletic training services at no cost to the schools.  Mary Rutan Hospital is the official sports medicine provider for each school and provides athletic training coverage and baseline concussion testing for each school’s athletic program, as well as access to the hospital’s sports medicine, concussion clinic, orthopedic and comprehensive therapy services.  This expansion of services equals more than a $250,000 investment of services to area schools and their student athletes.

Mary Rutan Hospital’s athletic training service program began in 2013 with two area schools as a pilot program.  At that time, funding was done through a 50/50 cost sharing of salary and benefits for each trainer.   Mary Rutan Foundation provided funding through a grant to each school district to assist in the cost reduction for the schools. 

Reduced operating budgets and limited resources at rural and small school districts nation-wide make it difficult for schools to fund athletic training service for their sports programs.  Area schools shared this concern and lack of financial resources to fund a cost share program.  The Hospital has a clear understanding of the importance of these athletic training services for the safety of area student athletes.  Mary Rutan Hospital made the decision to invest additional financial resources and recruit athletic trainers to provide needed services to all area high schools.  This past winter, Mary Rutan Hospital officials met with local athletic directors and school administrators to offer free athletic training services to Riverside, Urbana and West Liberty-Salem Schools for the 2016/2017 school year.  At that time Riverside was receiving limited coverage through Wilson Health.  Urbana City School Athletic Department was paying for their current AT Services. Mary Rutan Hospital’s offer of expanded, complimentary services was welcomed for the continued focus on athlete safety.  West Liberty-Salem chose to stay with Excel out of Springfield for the up-coming school year.

“As the sole community hospital we work hard to provide quality services to meet the health and wellness needs of the communities we serve through convenient, easy access of care for community members in our service areas”, said Tammy Allison, VP community relations.  “We are committed to this program and hope to grow our program and eventually provide support to all area schools in the coming year”, said Ms. Allison. 

Mary Rutan Hospital’s certified and licensed athletic trainers provide game and practice coverage and are onsite to provide immediate attention when a student athlete is injured.  The trainer provides initial injury assessment and first aid, establish rehabilitation programs for injured athletes, apply protective taping and padding and counsel athletes in areas such as nutrition and conditioning. It is also the responsibility of the athletic trainer to determine if an injured athlete may continue to participate in their sport and when they will be allowed to return to participation or whether they need to be referred for additional therapy services oran orthopedic specialist.  This determination is done in conjunction with the parents, coaches, team physician and the athlete’s primary care provider.  The trainers also provide guidance and assistance to coaches during preseason conditioning and throughout the season.

For more information about Mary Rutan Hospital Sports Medicine Program and Athletic Training Services call 937-593-0822.