Mercy Gilbert, Gilbert Public Schools Announce New Sports Medicine Program

Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center has been selected by Gilbert Public Schools to provide sports medicine services through an advanced collegiate-level program to the district’s five high schools. The program was created to decrease sports-related injuries and deliver high quality sports medicine services to Gilbert’s student athletes at no extra cost to the school district.

Jointly developed with Gilbert-based OrthoArizona-Mezona Orthopedic, the program includes three full-time athletic trainers who have been hired by Mercy Gilbert to provide sports injury care and athletic training services at the five Gilbert high schools. The trainers will also focus on instructing students and coaches about injury prevention. The program is being funded through a grant from the Dignity Health Foundation East Valley.

“By forming this partnership, we’re raising the bar on the quality of sports medicine and training services given to high school student athletes,” says Matthew Hansen, MD, medical director of Mercy Gilbert’s sports medicine program. Dr. Hansen brings vast experience in providing care for college and professional sports teams including the LA Lakers and the University of Southern California. “This initiative reinforces Mercy Gilbert’s commitment to deliver the highest quality care to its community.”

The program, which began this month, is expected to provide services for approximately 4,000 high school students within Gilbert Public Schools.

“This is a win-win situation for Gilbert’s high school athletes and their coaches,” says Stephen McDowell, athletic director for Gilbert Public Schools. “The partnership is providing our students with a collegiate-level sports medicine and athletic training program while promoting education and injury prevention by skilled specialists.”

Please call Marisol Pelaez at (480) 751-5569, ext. 5 to schedule interviews and photos.

Click here for more information on Mercy Gilbert's Sports Medicine Program.