Sports Medicine Services to Benefit CMU Student-Athletes and Academic Programs
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Community Hospital announced an expanded sports medicine partnership with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) to support CMU student-athletes and academic programs. The expansion coincides with CMU’s Century Project, celebrating the university’s 100th year of providing higher education in western Colorado. Community Hospital has collaborated with CMU for nearly 40 years.
“The partnership between Community Hospital and CMU began in the early 1980s when Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and Community Hospital provided CMU’s first athletic trainer,” said CMU Athletic Director Joan McDermott. “At the time, Mesa State College worked with Dr. Larry Copeland, founder of Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, who served as the team physician for over 30 years.”
Community Hospital provides on-site sports medicine services at the Copeland Family Athletic Training Room before and after practices, during games, and travels with teams as needed. The hospital’s orthopedic physicians, with a combined 57 years of experience, serve as team physicians for CMU, Mesa County Valley School District 51 high schools, and the Grand Junction Jackalopes. The expanded partnership gives CMU students and athletes access to over 20 health care professionals, including a medical director, nine orthopedic sports medicine physicians and surgeons, on-site physical therapists, athletic trainers, registered dietitians, sports psychologists and health coaches.
“We are honored to continue our longstanding partnership with CMU,” said Chris Thomas, president and CEO of Community Hospital. “CMU student-athletes have the full support of our organization to provide whatever services they need. Our commitment ensures a physician is present at all sanctioned varsity contests, surpassing some Division I sports medicine programs. We are proud of our staff’s work to deliver the highest level of sports medicine coverage for CMU student-athletes.”
CMU Women’s Wrestling Head Coach Travis Mercado believes the expanded Community Hospital services will support coaches in their recruiting efforts.
“Today’s NCAA Division II athletes are top tier talents who are looking to play for universities that can offer them not only the highest level of play, but also the training and support services to keep their bodies, health and performance at the highest level,” said Mercado.
CMU has expanded its academic offerings over the past decade, adding baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees in health-related disciplines. Beyond direct services, Community Hospital’s involvement provides intangible benefits by connecting students with health care professionals, fostering interest in health-related careers.
“The relationships between our students in nursing, athletic training, kinesiology, occupational therapy, physician assistant and other health-related programs and Community Hospital’s medical professionals are invaluable,” said Kristin Huemann, CMU professor of kinesiology.
CMU offers over 50 varsity and club athletic programs. “On behalf of our students, coaches and staff, we are grateful for Community Hospital’s continued support,” McDermott said. “This expanded partnership ensures CMU student-athletes receive the best athletic training care in the RMAC conference and that all students have access to top-tier medical and health professionals in the community.”
For more information about Community Hospital’s health care services, visit YourCommunityHospital.com.