City schools change trainer setup
The Wichita school district has contracted with Mid-America Orthopedics to supply athletic trainers to three high schools and oversee the athletic trainers at four other high schools.
The school district had a contract with Via Christi Rehabilitation Services for nearly 20 years. Via Christi ended that relationship, citing high costs, at the end of the 2009-10 high school sports season.
Mid-America Orthopedics' $84,000 year-long contract begins today.
Mid-America Orthopedics currently provides athletic training services to Goddard, Andale and Clearwater, and recently contracted with Conway Springs, according to chief operating officer Matt Quinn.
Mid-America Orthopedics, which has four offices and does worker's compensation for the school district, will provide trainers to Heights, Northwest and Southeast. Those trainers, who were previously athletic trainers in the Wichita high schools and employed by Via Christi, will work for Mid-America Orthopedics' clinics in the morning. They then will serve as trainers with those schools in the afternoon and for games.
"This will offset part of the payroll cost" for the school district, Quinn said.
East, North, South and West will have athletic trainers, as well. They will be district employees — interviews with prospective athletic trainers have not been completed — and will have other responsibilities.
According to Shannon Krysl, director of employee benefits and insurance management for USD 259, the athletic trainers could provide safety training, wellness assistance and ergonomic evaluations.
Chris Roy, Mid-America Orthopedic athletic trainer coordinator, will oversee the trainers at all seven high schools.
"We are happy to provide services to the athletes that need the support and care," said Quinn, whose company also will start providing an athletic trainer to Conway Springs.