Memorial Hermann, Memorial City Spring Branch Independent School District Join Forces

HOUSTON (August 31, 2012)

Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center are now working together to ensure SBISD student athletes stay healthy on and off the field.

"Our two organizations have collaborated on dozens of community and school-based programs over the past 20 years," said Keith Alexander, CEO of Memorial Hermann Memorial City. "This is an extension of our relationship and we look forward to supporting SBISD athletics by providing high-quality healthcare in a variety of settings."

As part of the agreement, Memorial Hermann Memorial City will provide education, training and medical services that support student athletes, their coaches and families, including:

  • Free or low-cost sports physicals for qualifying SBISD middle school and high school students.
  • Training and education opportunities for athletes, parents and coaches on topics such as injury prevention and first aid.
  • Access to injury clinics, where injured student athletes are screened by an athletic trainer affiliated with the new Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at Memorial City Medical Center and referred to an on-site physician if necessary.
  • Pre- and post-concussion ImPACT testing for high school athletes. This neurocognitive test can help doctors and coaches determine when a player who has suffered a concussion is ready to return to competition.
  • Direct access to Emergency Center services when a student athlete is injured at school or during a sporting event and in need of emergency care.
  • The school or coach can call their hospital representative or the hospital's Emergency Center directly to alert them to expect the patient.
  • Scholarships for high school seniors pursuing careers as athletic trainers.

"SBISD has been so fortunate to have Memorial Hermann Memorial City as a longtime educational partner," said Paige Hershey, executive athletic director for the district, which serves about 33,000 students. "Now the medical center's generous support of our athletic programs will enable us to take our sports programs to the next level. We're grateful that our students will benefit from Memorial Hermann Memorial City's vast experience and expertise in orthopedics and sports medicine and its commitment to keeping our student athletes as safe and as healthy as possible."

Memorial Hermann Memorial City also is providing similar services to athletes affiliated with the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) and Albion Hurricanes FC Soccer.