EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System has been named the new provider of sports medicine services for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Athletics, beginning with the fall sports season. Clinical staff from Mayo Clinic Health System's Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine will provide services, including sideline support, radiology, concussion management, procedures and surgical care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation for Blugold athletes on all 25 men's and women's athletic teams.
"Blugold Athletics will now have the best medical care for our student athletes that assures any recruit, parent, athlete, coach or administrator that student athletes' well-being and medical care is a priority at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire," says Dan Schumacher, UW-Eau Claire's athletic director. "This collaboration just continues to help build an already strong relationship with the university. Great things are yet to come from this opportunity to work together with a world-class, internationally known medical provider, Mayo Clinic Health System."
"We are excited about this collaboration with Mayo Clinic Health System, and we look forward to the new innovations in health and wellness for our student athletes it will provide," says Garry Grant, head athletic trainer and athletics health care administrator at UW-Eau Claire. "We are convinced our student athletes, students and staff will receive top-tier medical care and education by a nationally recognized medical facility and staff. This collaboration will help us sustain our tradition of excellence in athletics health care and athletic training education at UW-Eau Claire."
The new sports medicine collaboration adds to a strong history of teamwork between Mayo Clinic Health System and UW-Eau Claire, including medical education opportunities, student health services, and a comprehensive research collaboration agreement that pairs students with medical professionals conducting research that will benefit future patients in Northwest Wisconsin.
"We are excited to provide outstanding medical care to UWEC student athletes," says Rusty Brand, M.D., chair of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for Mayo Clinic Health System's Northwest Wisconsin Region. "This collaboration between our clinical providers and Blugold athletic teams and student athletes will provide learning and research opportunities to advance sports medicine, training and performance."
The sports medicine collaboration will provide student athletes with access to care and treatment, and will add to the opportunities for the two organizations to learn and work together.
"Combining the expertise of Mayo Clinic Health System and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in medicine, education and athletics makes this a powerful opportunity to learn from each other and have a positive impact on the community," says Andrew Israel, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Health System sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, head team physician and medical director of UW-Eau Claire's masters in Athletic Training program. "Our shared commitment to excellence will keep this program focused on innovation and improvement."
"We look forward to working with Blugold athletes on the field at sporting events, in training and at practice," says Amy Rantala, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Health System family medicine physician who specializes in sports medicine. "We will be able to provide timely assessment and care to help keep these athletes healthy and performing at their best."
Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.
