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Hospital ushers in new sports medicine program
10.07 trainers 2
South Effingham High School athletic trainer Chase Grant, ATC, SEHS athletic director Joe Parker, SEHS team physician Dr. Chris Mathews Jr., Effingham Hospital Trustee Rick Rafter, Joe Tallent, ATC and sports medicine coordinator, Effingham Hospital CEO Norma Jean Morgan, ECHS team physician Dr. James Cornwell Jr., ECHS athletic trainer Matt Syno, ATC, and ECHS athletic director Tim Hood mark the opening of the Effingham Hospital’s Sports Medicine Program prior to kickoff between South Effingham and Effingham County. - photo by Photo provided

Effingham Hospital sponsored Effingham Hospital Sports Medicine Night at Rebel Field on Sept. 26, just before the football game between South Effingham High School and Effingham County High School.

In celebration of the grand opening of Effingham Hospital’s Sports Medicine Program, thousands of spectators on game night were warmly greeted at the stadium gates by a large number of hospital staff and volunteers.

Attendees received gifts such as water bottles, miniature footballs and other memorabilia bearing the emblem of Effingham Hospital Sports Medicine. The new sports medicine program has partnered with the Effingham County Board of Education to better serve student-athletes by providing full-time certified athletic trainers at both Effingham County High School and South Effingham High School.

“The ‘Big Game’ at Rebel Field marks the beginning of a new kind of sports medicine program in Effingham County, one dedicated to helping local athletes to reach their true potential,” said Joe Tallent, the sports medicine coordinator. “At Effingham Hospital people matter most, and our sports medicine program will work in that same spirit to provide quality sports medicine for all local athletes.”

Dr. David N. Palmer of Southeastern Orthopedic Center continues to serve as the team orthopedist for both high schools. Also as part of the sponsorship, during pre-game ceremonies Effingham Hospital representatives led by Norma Jean Morgan, CEO of Effingham Hospital, and Effingham Hospital Trustee Rick Rafter presented John Deere 4-wheel Gator transports to both the ECHS and SEHS athletic programs for transportation of incapacitated or injured athletes and also sports equipment.

Also there for the presentation were members of the athletic staff from both high schools — the Effingham Hospital Sports Medicine Team including Dr. Palmer, Tallent, Dr. James R. Cornwell Jr. (serving as team physician for Effingham County High School) and Dr. Christopher Mathews Jr. (serving as team physician for South Effingham High School) were also on hand for the presentation of the Gators.

For more information contact Tallent at 826-1500.