CVMS, UNI Athletics and LEARFIELD team up for student-athletes and future athletic trainers

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, P.C. (CVMS), the University of Northern Iowa along with LEARFIELD's UNI Panther Sports Properties, the official multimedia rights
holder of UNI Athletics, have entered into a multi-year agreement to support the university in their intercollegiate athletic sports medicine program.

The agreement builds on a long-standing collaboration between UNI and CVMS focused on student-athlete health and wellness and assuring future athletic trainers earning their degrees at UNI are provided practical experience with support from leading professionals in the field.

A core component of the multi-year agreement calls for CVMS to immediately assume the "Official Sports Medicine Partner of UNI Athletics" designation.

"We are very excited to enter into this partnership with Cedar Valley Medical Specialists (CVMS)" said Director of Athletics David Harris. "CVMS has provided excellent medical care to our student-athletes for a number of years. This partnership makes our relationship official and will further enhance the quality of service provided to our sports programs. The benefits to our department include additional full time athletic trainers, faster access to medical care, the addition of a mental health counselor and significant financial support in our sports performance areas. Having additional certified and trained medical professionals available will also allow our student athletic trainers more opportunities to receive guidance that will assist them in their professional development. This is a win for everyone involved, especially the student-athletes that we serve."

Cedar Valley Medical Specialists will continue to be the exclusive on-campus sports medicine, orthopedic and physical therapy providers at the UNI Human Performance Center while continuing to serve the Cedar Valley community at large.

Orthopedic surgeon Jeffrey Clark is the medical director and head team physician. Dr. Clark will oversee the athletic training program and assist team physicians. Cedar Valley Medical Specialists also will provide full-time athletic trainers to assist in medical care and teach in the College of Education.

"It has been an honor and privilege to work with UNI Athletics for the past 22 years," said Clark. "Formalizing this partnership will ensure the healthcare for the UNI Athletic Department. This relationship will be an absolute priority for myself and CVMS well into the future."

The addition of an on-campus mental health provider and sports medicine primary care services through this new collaboration elevates the access student-athletes have to holistic wellness resources as they prepare for success in the classroom and on the playing field.

The new agreement between UNI and CVMS supports a longstanding partnership between UNI's College of Education and the Panther Athletics program.

UNI's master's of athletic training program currently serves 18 students with about 100 undergraduates majoring in athletic training and rehab studies.

Early in the program, students apply lessons from the classroom and skills honed in clinical labs. UNI Athletic Training staff serve as clinical preceptors and supervise students. With 17 Division I athletic programs on campus, students are offered opportunities daily that help them prepare for a career in athletic training.

A number of UNI alumni work as assistant athletic trainers and seasonal interns in the NFL and have gone on to medical school or found employment in the industry.

Panthers have gone on to work as assistants in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts. Alumni also have served roles with MLB teams including the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies as well as on Team USA with women's soccer and women's volleyball.

Upon graduation, alumni have secured athletic training positions with professional teams as well as schools like Texas A&M, Boston University, Drake, Bradley, Southern Illinois University, Wartburg and others.

Additionally, CVMS' new agreement with UNI Panther Sports Properties provides numerous opportunities for year-round brand visibility and game-day fan engagement. CVMS will receive exposure via in-venue signage as well as radio, game sponsorships, digital and social media through official UNI Athletics' channels enhancing patient education and information awareness for the Cedar Valley Community.

"The team at CVMS are terrific to work with and tremendous advocates for UNI Athletics and its student-athletes," said Brian Gabel, general manager for UNI Panther Sports Properties. "We are proud to welcome Cedar Valley Medical Specialists as a significant and valued athletics corporate partner family and appreciate this historic opportunity to collaborate."

ABOUT CVMS

CVMS has endeavored to improve the Cedar Valley during its 27 years of operations, by providing the highest quality, most accessible and cost-efficient patient care through a community of 91 providers including 22 specialists at 62 locations.

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