WICHITA, Kan. - Ascension Via Christi will add an athletic trainer to its team assigned to track and field and cross country teams, bringing the number of full-time athletic trainers devoted exclusively to caring for Wichita State University student-athletes to seven.
That's in accordance with its recently renewed contract for Ascension Via Christi, which will serve as the exclusive WSU Athletics' sports medicine provider for another three years effective July 1, 2023. The contract also provides for a full-time patient care coordinator who will support the student-athlete patient experience including assistance in navigating the medical system, scheduling appointments, as well as billing and processing.
"We cannot understate the amount of gratitude for Ascension Via Christi regarding their commitment to expanding and enhancing the level of care for our student-athletes," said Madison Stein-Mason, Wichita State Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA. "Through our shared vision and collaboration, we will continue to be positioned to remain on the cutting edge of sports medicine and providing state-of-the-art treatment. This partnership has continued to grow since its inception, and we are excited to continue working and advancing together."
Currently, Ascension Via Christi Sports Medicine has one full-time athletic trainer assigned to WSU men's basketball/women's golf, one to women's basketball/men's golf, one to volleyball/men's & women's tennis and two to the track and field and cross country teams. Wichita State employs two full-time athletic trainers and three graduate assistants who work directly with baseball, cross country, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
"The collaboration with Ascension Via Christi over the years has been a tremendous benefit to the Shocker student-athletes," said Dan Cahill, Wichita State Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer. "These staff additions confirm the collective commitment of Ascension Via Christi and the Wichita State Athletic Department in providing industry-leading medical care to our Shocker student-athletes."
Ascension Via Christi currently employs 16 full-time athletic trainers and three part-time athletic trainers who provide coverage and support for other Wichita area sporting events. Five are assigned to WSU, two to Newman University and nine to area high schools.
Shocker Sports Medicine works under the medical direction of sports medicine specialists Andrew Porter, DO, and Paul Cleland, MD and three sports medicine fellows doing fellowship training in Primary Care Sports Medicine.
"We have an experienced and well-trained team all working with one goal in mind: To help athletes of all ages and playing levels safely remain in, or return to, their game," said Ron Baker, the Ascension Via Christi project manager assigned to work with WSU. "We are excited to continue our professional association with WSU and its student-athletes for another three years."
