TUCSON, Ariz. – (Oct. 1, 2019) – When they take the field for their next home game on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., the Flowing Wells High School football team holds a unique advantage when it comes to player safety and wellness.

Certified athletic trainer Caitlin Reiner provides the specialized care for all the athletic teams at the high school and through this unique position can connect athletes at the school with any needed follow-up care.

From providing concussion assessments and treatment for soccer and football players, to sharing proper stretching techniques to reduce ACL injuries for the basketball teams and tips on proper falling technique to the cheer team, Reiner provides care for visiting teams and the home team, alike. 

Reiner is employed by the Banner – University Medicine Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine program and that relationship provides a unique opportunity to connect Flowing Wells athletes directly to Banner Urgent Care, emergency services and appointments with Banner sports medicine doctors.

“We’ve hit a goldmine,” said Flowing Wells Athletic Director Mark Brunenkant. “The athletes at Flowing Wells High School gain direct access to Banner physicians and high-quality health care. In addition, the relationship with Banner offers us more accountability and provides another level of professionalism to the traditional athletic trainer position we’ve had in the past.”

Currently, no other public school in Pima County is contracting with a hospital to provide these services.

“I don’t understand why other high schools aren’t doing this,” said Flowing Wells High School Principal James Brunenkant. “At Flowing Wells, our No. 1 responsibility is to keep kids safe and healthy and this program not only does that, but it has saved us a lot of money, too.” 

Importantly, a Banner – University Medicine referral provides Reiner the ability to share her health-care notes at the time of injury with the Banner doctors treating the athlete and, likewise, Reiner can see any treatment notes, X-rays and follow-up care prescribed to better serve the injured athlete.

“Access to the Banner system gives me the ability to see any X-rays, MRIs, diagnosis and follow up-care needed. This referral system and system of care process is very helpful when the athlete returns to school. It works to ensure proper treatment and I’ve found it’s helpful when explaining follow-up treatment and rehab needs to parents,” Reiner said.    

Through the partnership, Banner – University Medicine was able to offer Flowing Wells High School athletes free sports physicals and a training camp with the Tucson Sugar Skulls professional indoor football team. 

“Communication is key to diagnosis and treatment. Having on-going communication with a highly qualified athletic trainer like Caitlin allows us to provide student athletes with the highest level of care and get them back on the field as quickly as possible,” said Holly Beach, MD, Banner – University Medicine physician and associate professor of family and community medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

As the only academic medical center in Southern Arizona, the partnership between Banner – University Medicine and the University of Arizona Health Sciences enhances the patient experience through  compassionate clinical care, expert education and access to cutting-edge biomedical research and clinical trials.

General orthopaedic sports medicine applies medical principles to the treatment of injuries and diseases resulting from participation in sports, recreational activities and high-performance exercise for athletes of all ages, at all levels, in all sports. The orthopaedic sports specialist works with physical therapists, athletic trainers and primary care sports specialists to assist active people and athletes to reach their goals in both health and performance.

About Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and Banner – University Medical Center South, are part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. These institutions are academic medical centers for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Included on the two campuses are Diamond Children's Medical Center and many specialty clinics. The two academic medical centers are part of Arizona-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health-care systems in the country, with 28 hospitals in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit BannerHealth.com/UniversityTucson or bannerhealth.com/UniversitySouth