Partnership Bulks Up Athletics Program
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCommunity Hospital of Munster is expanding its partnership with Purdue University Calumet to support the school's intercollegiate athletics program. The agreement includes campus-based training and outpatient physical therapy, as well as use of the hospital's fitness center. September 12, 2014
News Release
HAMMOND, Ind. — The Community Hospital of Munster, Indiana has stepped up a partnership recently established with Purdue University Calumet in support of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program.
The partnership includes improvement and expansion of campus-based training services for student-athletes, including development of an outpatient physical therapy clinic within the university’s Fitness and Recreation Center. Physical therapy also will be available to other Purdue Calumet students, faculty-staff and their dependents, as well as members of the university’s Fitness Center on a hospital fee-for-service basis.
“We are delighted that through our partnership Purdue University Calumet students will have access to physical therapy services on campus,” Community Hospital CEO Donald P. Fesko said. “Having therapy services located at the Fitness and Recreation Center will make it more convenient for students to access this care if needed.”
Expected opening in January
Plans call for construction of the new 1,795 square feet facility to begin late this month and be open for services in January. It will more than double the size of Purdue Calumet’s current training room. A physical therapist from Community Hospital and two Purdue Calumet athletic trainers will staff the combined training room and physical therapy clinic to provide outpatient rehabilitation services.
The rehab professionals will employ hospital modalities in the clinic and utilize exercise equipment within the university’s adjacent Fitness Center to enable a comprehensive recovery program for patients.
Partnership established last year
Hospital-provided support for the facility builds on a partnership announced last December related to university and City of Hammond plans to develop a Purdue Calumet outdoor athletics complex at nearby Dowling Park. Phase one of the complex, featuring soccer, baseball and softball fields, is scheduled for completion this fall.
“Community Hospital has been a generous supporter of Purdue Calumet athletics for many years,” Purdue Calumet Director of Athletics Rick Costello said. “Development of this expanded facility is the latest example of an amazing partnership.”
Expanded athletics program prompts need
Recent growth of Purdue Calumet’s intercollegiate athletics program to 12 teams and some 200 student-athletes has necessitated a larger, more comprehensive campus facility for athletic training services and injury treatment. Since 2013, Purdue Calumet has contracted with Community Hospital the services of licensed and certified athletic trainers to provide fitness and medical assistance to university student-athletes.
As another component of the Community-Purdue Calumet partnership, the hospital is overseeing the university’s campus-based health clinic for students, faculty and staff.
Source: Community Hospital of Munster/Purdue University Calumet