DALLAS, Sep 22, 2016 — The Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, the only pediatric-focused institute of its kind in North Texas, has joined with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) to transform the standard of sports medicine care provided to young student athletes across the state.
As the governing body for athletic, academic and fine arts competitions at non-public Texas schools, TAPPS comprises 232 member schools with a combined enrollment near 50,000 students. Through this groundbreaking three-year initiative, the Children’s Health Andrews Institute will become TAPPS’ go-to resource for pediatric-focused injury prevention, rehabilitation, research and therapy, and provide on-site medical support at championship events, select schools and preseason physicals.
“Together with TAPPS, we are thrilled to be able to expand the reach of our sports medicine care to better meet the needs of youth athletes across the state and support their efforts to ensure the best standard of care possible for the athletic health care throughout TAPPS,” said Chad Gilliland, senior director at the Children’s Health Andrews Institute. “Our goal has always been to keep kids on the playing field and out of the operating room, and that means meeting families where they are. This new relationship adds one more way we are extending care beyond the hospital walls and into the communities where families live, work and play.”
In addition to sports medicine care, Children’s Health will serve as a leading resource on TAPPS’ Health and Safety Committee and provide additional health-based education, programming and curriculum development for TAPPS member schools, school nurses, parents and athletes, coordinating with current sports medicine providers for TAPPS around the state.
“When the opportunity presented itself for TAPPS and all of our 232 member schools to join forces with the leading voice in youth sports medicine, Children’s Health Andrews Institute, our leadership group was beyond excited,” said TAPPS’ Executive Director Bryan Bunselmeyer. “As an organization, TAPPS will never embark on a more important initiative than the health and safety of our student-athletes. TAPPS is very appreciative that the Children’s Health Andrews Institute will be our go-to resource for youth sports medicine care for years to come.”
The Children’s Health Andrews Institute was developed in 2015 under the direction of internationally renowned surgeon James Andrews, M.D., to meet the needs of young athletes and become a resource for parents, coaches, trainers to help prevent injury. With a core focus on research, education and injury prevention, Children’s Health physicians and trainers are embedded in surrounding communities, offering training and sideline support to help young athletes achieve optimal health and success. The Children’s Health Andrews Institute is located on the Children’s Health Plano campus.