University Hospitals Named Official Sports Medicine Partner Of Ashland University Athletics

Key Highlights

• Comprehensive care: Ashland University student-athletes gain direct access to nationally recognized sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers and specialists.
• Faster treatment: Expedited appointments and coordinated care help athletes return safely to play as quickly as possible.
• Performance and prevention: The partnership emphasizes injury prevention, performance optimization and athlete wellness.
• On-the-field support: Dedicated athletic trainers, team physician coverage for home football games, emergency action planning and CPR education

CLEVELAND and ASHLAND, Ohio – University Hospitals has been named the official sports medicine partner for Ashland University Athletics, providing comprehensive medical coverage and specialized care for Eagle student-athletes. The new partnership focuses on health, performance and injury prevention through care from the same nationally recognized sports medicine program trusted by professional, collegiate and youth athletes throughout Northeast Ohio.

The partnership expands UH's longstanding commitment to caring for athletes at every level of competition. As the official healthcare provider for the Cleveland Browns and trusted sports medicine partner for more than 50 colleges, high schools and youth organizations across Northeast Ohio, University Hospitals delivers expert care from the sidelines to the operating room.

"Our goal is to help every athlete perform at their highest level while practicing medicine with our feet in the grass, ensuring they receive the best possible care when injuries occur," said James Voos, MD, Chair, UH Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Head Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns. "We are excited to partner with Ashland University to provide student-athletes with immediate access to nationally recognized sports medicine experts and comprehensive support designed to keep them healthy throughout their athletic careers."

"University Hospitals is recognized nationally for its excellence in sports medicine, and we are proud to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to student success," said Dr. Jon Parrish Peede, President of Ashland University. "This partnership provides our student-athletes with access to outstanding medical expertise and reinforces our commitment to their health, safety and well-being. We are pleased to welcome University Hospitals as a trusted partner in supporting the continued success of our Eagle student-athletes."

Under the partnership, Ashland University student-athletes will have access to a dedicated team of UH sports medicine specialists, including fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Grant Nelson, MD, and Joseph McShannic, MD, who specializes in sports and emergency medicine, along with seven athletic trainers dedicated specifically to Ashland athletics. Drs. McShannic and Nelson have full-time practices serving the entire Ashland County community out of UH Samaritan Medical Center.

"UH Samaritan is the Hometown Team, and in partnering with Ashland University, we will be able to provide care for the athletes locally to keep them at their highest performance and health," said Sylvia Radziszewski, President and Chief Operating Officer, UH Samaritan Medical Center. 

University Hospitals' multidisciplinary Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute brings together orthopedic surgeons, primary care sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nutrition specialists, concussion experts, sports cardiology providers and a Level I trauma team to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care for athletes of all ages and abilities.

"As an athletic department we're delighted to partner with University Hospitals," said Al King, Director of Athletics at Ashland University. "We believe having UH with us will ensure that Ashland University remains among the national leaders in providing health care at the NCAA Division II level. We have a full roster of seven athletic trainers and a team of physicians that is close by and poised to evaluate and advise student-athletes and coaches. We're excited to bring our teams back to campus and start the new year with UH."
 
About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of more than 20 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system's flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, Taiwan National University College of Medicine and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including "America's Best Hospitals" from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.

About Ashland University / Ashland, Ohio
Ashland University is a mid-size, private university conveniently located halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Offering undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, AU puts the "Accent on the Individual" by combining strong applied academic programs with a distinguished faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.