Athens, Ga. (Feb. 17, 2020) – Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center and the University of Georgia (UGA) Ice Dawgs Hockey team have partnered to provide the hospital’s high-quality athletic training services to the 23-player hockey team.
“We’re very proud to partner with UGA Ice Dawgs,” said Dee Burkett, executive director of patient services at Piedmont Athens Regional. “This partnership ensures that these amazing athletes have the support of a dedicated trainer to assist with any injuries and other care needs during games as well as practices – keeping these athletes healthy and ready to tackle their competitors.”
The partnership brings the services of Ruth Walker-Harris, an athletic trainer for Piedmont Athens Regional’s sports medicine services, who’s certified to provide on-the-ice assistance to Ice Dawg athletes. As the official healthcare provider for the UGA Athletics Association, Piedmont Athens Regional provides its sports medicine services to UGA teams as needed.
“The partnership with Piedmont Sports Medicine has been very beneficial to our team this season,” said Kyle Harris, team captain for UGA Ice Dawgs Hockey. “Ice hockey is a physically demanding sport with elements of speed and physicality. Having Ruth on the bench with us at each game and practice allows our guys to reach their full potential.”
Prior to this partnership, the club-status players lacked medical assistance during games and practices or training sessions. According to Harris, Walker-Harris’s expertise gives the team peace of mind, as her presence means she can provide guidance on how to manage lingering aches or injuries, as well as emergent care for new injuries that occur.
“Ruth has been a great addition to the team from the day she met us. She’s been the difference-maker when guys need treatment mid-game. All in all, been a fantastic presence as a trainer but also a teammate,” said Harris.
The partnership means that Walker-Harris attends all Ice Dawgs practices and games, traveling along with the team throughout the season.
“We want to be sure that the patients and athletes that come to our offices at Piedmont Athens Regional as well as Piedmont’s Oconee Health Campus receive high-quality healthcare,” Burkett said. “But in addition to this, we know how important it is to have these same medical professionals on the field, the mat or even the ice to provide services to these collegiate athletes.”
For more information about UGA Ice Dawgs Hockey or to purchase tickets to an upcoming game, visit ugahockey.com.
Pictured left to right: Jacob Salaski, #29 and assistant captain for UGA Ice Dawgs, Jackson Katz, #23 and assistant captain for UGA Ice Dawgs, Ruth Walker-Harris, athletic trainer for Piedmont Athens Regional, Kyle Harris, #8 and captain for UGA Ice Dawgs, Aaron Phillips, #6 and assistant captain for UGA Ice Dawgs.