(St. George, UT) - The physicians, therapists, and trainers team who make up Intermountain Sports Medicine–Southwest announced a partnership with Dixie State College of Utah this week. The move marks a significant step forward in providing comprehensive healthcare for Dixie’s student athletes.

Intermountain will employ four full-time athletic trainers who will be present at all of the college’s athletic events, games, and practices. The trainers will provide basic injury care for athletes on the sidelines, treatments and rehab in the college training room. They will have direct access to a network of sports medicine resources and specialists to ensure excellent, prompt treatment.

Physicians from Rim Rock Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and Zion Orthopedics & Sports Medicine will also be on-site or readily available for all sports activities and provide an injury screening clinic for student athletes.

Jason Boothe, Dixie State College’s Athletic Director said, “We are thrilled to have Intermountain Healthcare as a partner to provide this critical service for our student athletes. Our athletes compete at a high level and injuries are inevitable. We are confident that our athletes will be in great hands to minimize injuries and for treatment.”

Dr. Christian Millward, Medical Director of Intermountain Sports Medicine–Southwest, said "it's vital for injured athletes to have all resources possible to help them recover quickly and avoid future injuries. Our team of healthcare providers offers the services athletes need,” he said. Services include athletic training, therapy and rehabilitation, spine and pain treatment, sports nutrition counseling, imaging, treatment for concussions and neurological conditions, and surgical services.

Dr. Millward said, “When an athlete sustains an injury on the field or court, an athletic trainer will assess the injury immediately. If needed, the trainer then has the support of, and expedited access to our specialty resources and providers. This allows us to quickly determine the level of injury, plan of care, and any changes in practice or game participation. That information is immediately given to the coaching staff so that they have up-to-dated status formation on all their injured players," Dr. Millward added.

Ted Hugunin, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Dixie Regional Medical Center said, “The communication between the athletic trainer, providers and coaching staff is critical. Our goal is to allow coaches to be coaches. Our process of injury tracking, rehabilitation and return to play will enable the coaching staff to rely on trainer and physician recommendations to make sure athletes get healthy and return to competitive sports quickly and safely.”

The partnership with Dixie State College and Intermountain Sports Medicine will also provide athletic trainers and other sport medicine services to five Washington County high schools and offer medical coverage at many local sporting events including the Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George Marathon, and Ford Ironman competition. The team of specialists will provide services for athletes of all ages and ability levels.

For additional information, go to Dixie Regional Sports Medicine.