WINSTON-SALEM, NC — Novant Health has partnered with Salem Academy and College to provide advanced sports medicine care to the college's student-athletes. The new contract began with the 2018-2019 academic year.
With this new program, Salem Academy and College will now have a full-time athletic trainer, Ariel Zaleski, on campus. Dr. Chris Christakos, a sports medicine specialist with Novant Health Salem Family Medicine, and Dr. Mark Schweppe, an orthopedic surgeon with Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, will serve as the school's team physicians. Bob Casmus, a certified athletic trainer and supervisor of Novant Health's athletic trainers for the Greater Winston-Salem market, will serve as a sports medicine consultant.
"In addition to providing quality sports medicine and healthcare services, our Novant Health team will also work with Salem Academy and College Athletics to update emergency action plans, institute hot- and cold-weather protocols, and implement enhanced concussion testing protocols that adhere to NCAA best practices," said Bob Casmus, Novant Health sports medicine consultant. "These additions will provide new ideas and technologies to better serve Salem's student-athletes, ensuring they have the best treatments available to get back in the game quickly and safely."
Trish Hughes, director of athletics for Salem College, said the partnership will provide a higher standard of care for Salem College student-athletes going forward.
"We are very fortunate to have these healthcare and performance leaders in our backyard," Hughes said. "Not only will our students receive high-quality sports medicine care, but the changes we are implementing will also push our students to reach their full potential as athletes."
For information about sports medicine services visit NovantHealth.org/sportsmedicine.