Augusta University Sports Medicine partners with local high schools to keep athletes healthy

With fall sports in full swing, Augusta Univesity Jaguar Sports Medicine’s new partnership with the Richmond County Board of Education is helping high school athletes stay healthy on and off the field.

The Jaguar Sports Medicine’s Richmond County Outreach Program provides each of the local high schools—except for magnet schools—with a full-time athletic trainer. The athletic trainer will administer care during team practices and games as well as monitor environmental conditions to ensure sports safety.

“Health and safety in student sports matter to us, which is why we are grateful to have this opportunity to provide this service to the community,” said Lisa Branon, assistant program coordinator, and Jaguar Sports Medicine Senior Athletic Trainer. “We will work closely with coaches to make sure their players remain strong enough to play as we serve as a direct line of health care for these young athletes.”

Branon says several of the high schools already have their designated athletic trainer and she hopes to have the other slots filled by the end of the year.

For nearly 16 years, Augusta University’s athletic trainers have serviced several private and public schools as well as colleges in both Georgia and South Carolina.

In addition to providing on-site care, Jaguar Sports Medicine has opened its Fall Sports Injury Clinic to treat all types of non-emergent, sports-related injuries. Patients will be evaluated by the university’s highly-skilled sports medicine team, which includes an orthopedic specialist and athletic trainers.

The facility is located at the Augusta University Medical Clinic at 1220 West Wheeler Parkway in Augusta. Patients may check in between 9-9:30 a.m. on Saturdays until Nov. 4, except Sept. 3. Those who are under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult to receive treatment.

To schedule an appointment on Saturdays, call the Augusta University Medical Clinic at 706-446-1396. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. For more information, visit augustahealth.org/fallsports