WACO, TX — Waco ISD has entered into a new partnership with the goal of keeping their student-athletes both healthy and safe.
Since last spring's graduation, Waco ISD has been working with Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco to make sure staff and students are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, that work extends to the athletics program.
”They are doing a number of things for us, including helping us with doctors in Friday evenings at our football games. We also have support for some of our middle school games," said Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon.
Providing sports medicine doctors at sporting events is only part of this new partnership.
”We also are performing athletic physicals and concussion base-lining. Making sure that students are healthy enough going into their sports seasons, that they are not going to get hurt just because of lingering or underlying issues that they may not know," said Phillip Patterson, president of Ascension Providence.
They will also be providing educational opportunities to the athletes and staff.
”We’re also leading clinics on sports medicine topics to help both the teachers and the coaches as well as the students stay on top of making themselves as healthy as they can be," said Patterson.
The district says it’s all part of ensuring the safety of the students, no matter what environment they’re in.
”Whether that be on the field on a Friday night, or whether that’s at a middle school sporting event or whether that’s in a classroom, and partnering with a medical professional such as Ascension Provedence really ensures that we do the best job possible," said Dr. Kincannon.
The hospital says this new partnership would not have been possible with the school districts leadership and Dr. Kincannon.
