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HCS, Piedmont Henry Hospital, and OrthoAtlanta Announce Partnership Supporting Student-Athletes

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools, Piedmont Henry Hospital (PHH), and OrthoAtlanta on Oct. 25 announced a new partnership to provide comprehensive athletic training services to participating middle and high schools across the district.

Superintendent Dr. John Pace III and other HCS leaders joined PHH medical personnel and administrators, including CEO David Kent, OrthoAtlanta orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Schmidt, and PHH Executive Director of Patient Services Walter Williams at OrthoAtlanta in Stockbridge to introduce the new collaboration.

“One of our core values is to provide a secure, safe, and supportive learning environment for our students and staff,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “This partnership is in direct alignment with our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and pledge to our students and community. Henry County Schools is thrilled to partner with Piedmont Henry Hospital and OrthoAtlanta, and I am confident our student-athletes will benefit for years to come.”

OrthoAtlanta, an ancillary of PHH and Piedmont Orthopedics, is the second-largest orthopedic and sports medicine practice in the greater Atlanta area.

The collaboration between HCS, PHH, and OrthoAtlanta underscores the critical connection between the well-being of student-athletes and classroom success while also reinforcing the district’s emphasis on student health and wellness.

The new partnership will provide athletic training services for Woodland High School, Luella High School, and Dutchtown High School, working in tandem with existing partnerships to give all 10 HCS high schools dedicated services for all practices and home games, as well as off-campus varsity football games.

Athletic trainers will also provide services during middle school football games and large events and tournaments held on HCS campuses.

Under the partnership, OrthoAtlanta’s certified athletic trainers will deliver top-tier medical services that adhere to research-based practices and industry-standard care in the areas of preventive therapy, injury response and recovery solutions, follow-up care, and referrals to specialists.

The medical support provided during school hours will include conditioning plans, which will enable athletes to maximize strength and minimize injury.

The availability of certified athletic trainers ensures students will receive experienced and timely medical attention, which, along with routine care, prioritizes early intervention to prevent severe injury and improve recovery time.

“Sports medicine revolves around athletic trainers,” said Dr. Schmidt. “They spend a lot of time with students, and not only do they understand sports-related injuries or concerns, but they get to know families, parents, and friends, and it is such an important part of health care to have that sort of relationship. The combination of athletic trainer/physician roles not only helps with the treatment of injuries, but even more, the prevention of injuries, and that’s perhaps the biggest factor in this partnership – maintaining the health and wellness of student-athletes.”

In the scaffolded agreement, PHH will cover all costs in year one. As part of a long-term plan, the district will begin sharing costs, covering 25% in the second year, 50% in the third year, 75% in the fourth year, and 100% of costs by year five.

“This important partnership enhances daily care and medical oversight for our student-athletes,” Dr. Pace added. “Our student-athletes will benefit greatly from this generous commitment to our school community, and we look forward to a long-term collaboration in empowering our students with opportunities and access that lead to exceptional outcomes in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the community.”

The phased approach will allow the district to optimize the program and develop a plan for sustainable, long-term financial support to serve all of the district’s 7,000 middle and high school student-athletes.

“This initiative reflects our core belief that all learning environments should be supportive, safe, and secure,” said Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4). “By addressing health concerns early and providing preventive care, the program aims to reduce student absenteeism and improve overall academic performance. The benefits of this collaboration will impact academic achievement and foster healthier, more engaged students. Parents can be confident that their children will receive exceptional care.”

In addition to improving students’ immediate health needs, the partnership is expected to have long-term benefits for the district. HCS has produced many celebrated athletes, most recently 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist Daniel Roberts, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr., and MLB National League Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II.

Providing student-athletes with access to OrthoAtlanta’s highly regarded medical team and suite of services further enhances opportunities for success on regional, national, and global stages.

“The role of the athletic trainer is paramount to our vision to provide a high-quality, world-class education that encompasses opportunities to enrich athletic experiences and ensure athletes feel their safety and care are prioritized,” said HCS Director of Athletics Kelli Hutcheson. “Injury prevention and timely but managed return to play after injury are important, and so we are proud to be able to call on talented local partners like Piedmont Henry Hospital and OrthoAtlanta to ensure our world-class student-athletes receive world-class care based right here in Henry County.”

“Our vision and mission at Piedmont inspire us to make a positive difference in every life we touch,” added Kent. “And there’s no better way to do that than reaching out to the school system and serving our students. We will help them achieve their dreams, and we’re glad to be a part of their journey.”

About Henry County Schools

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000.

HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society.

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