KINGSFORD, MICH. – Athletes at Breitung Township Schools will continue to have access to the area’s largest Orthopedic and Physical Therapy Team at Dickinson County Healthcare System (DCH). The two community organizations are extending their decade-long partnership three more years through 2022.
Through this partnership, physicians and athletic training therapists from the areas largest orthopedic and physical therapy team at Dickinson County Healthcare will meet general sports medicine needs and issues that arise for athletes, including initial injury evaluations and treatments/procedures. They will also provide physician referrals when appropriate; make return-to-play decisions; and provide education to athletes, parents and coaches on sports medicine-related issues, including injury prevention.
“The team at Dickinson County Healthcare’s primary goal is to provide the highest level of care to all athletes,” said Marcus Smithson, Orthopedic Director at DCH. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Breitung Township Schools, the excellent coaching staff and especially the student athletes we serve. It’s an honor to serve our young community athletes and to raise their awareness of sports injuries. Our top priority is to make sure they get the best care quickly so they can return to the game in the best condition possible to pursue their athletic passions.”
Trained DCH staff will be on hand at Kingsford Flivver athletic practices and events to evaluate injuries and ensure the safety of players on both teams using advanced evidence based treatment techniques, protocols and technology to ensure the safety of each and every athlete and get them back to the game. Each rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual and provides sport specific attention in order to help them recover and perform at the highest level. Trainers will be available both within the clinic and school settings.
“We are proud to continue our relationship with the team at Dickinson County Healthcare System,” said Dave Holmes, Kingsford High School Principal. “Our goal is to keep kids safe on and off the field and we’re excited to have their expertise to help achieve that together.”
Available educational resources include content that coaches, parents and students can use to prevent the most common injuries; recognize and treat concussion; understand the role that proper stretching, hydration and nutrition play in keeping student athletes healthy; and determine when a student has fully recovered and is safe to return to play.