New deal focuses on athletic trainers and accelerated treatment
A new partnership between UNC Greensboro and Cone Health will ensure that Spartan student-athletes will get even better care faster than ever.
The five-year deal enhances the University’s existing relationship with Cone Health. For years, Cone Health OrthoCare physicians Drs. Steven Bokshan, Dana Brooks and Scott Dean have been Spartan team doctors and will continue in those positions under the new arrangement. But several other initiatives bring medical and safety concerns to the fore.
“This work will deepen Cone Health’s longstanding relationship with UNCG and modernize the care of student-athletes,” Bokshan said. “Through this model, Cone Health will ensure the athletic training staff remains a highly valued piece of the medical care of student-athletes and that the health of student-athletes remains a top priority.”
Under the new deal, one of the largest sponsorship deals in UNCG Athletics history, team trainers will report to a Cone Health medical director as opposed to the Athletics Department. This gives athletic trainers full access to Cone Health’s suite of resources, expanding their toolkit for maintaining good health for the student-athletes under their charge and creating a streamlined process for medical care.
In addition, Cone will provide a physical therapist who will be on campus 2.5 days a week to work with Spartans recovering from injuries. Student-athletes will now have a direct line to the rehabilitation they need after injuries sustained on the court or field.
Cone will also assign a dedicated Cone Health OrthoCare liaison to UNCG Athletics. The liaison, specializing in the treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries and disease, can expedite treatments like MRIs and X-rays, appointments with specialists or pain management.
“We are proud to partner with Cone Health to create a comprehensive medical model at UNCG Athletics that prioritizes the health and well-being of our student-athletes,” stated Siobhan Huggins-Sullivan, assistant athletic director for sports medicine. “This work will elevate the quality of care provided and expand the range of on-campus services, ensuring our student-athletes receive exceptional support both on and off the field. Cone Health has been an invaluable partner to UNCG Athletics and we look forward to building on this strong partnership in the years to come.”
UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. notes that this enhanced partnership between Cone Health and UNCG exemplifies the mission of both the University and UNCG Athletics.
He stated, “UNCG and Cone Health are both long-standing anchor institutions in Greensboro and this is just one aspect of our robust partnership. Both UNCG Athletics and Cone Health will always have student-athlete well-being top of mind.”
Story by Brian Clarey, University Communications
Photography by Carlos Morales, UNCG Athletics
