Mercy has inked a deal to extend its medical partnership with the Springfield Cardinals by five years.
Mercy, which manages the team's orthopedic and sports medicine services, has been the team's official sports medicine provider since opening day in 2005, according to Mercy spokeswoman Sonya Kullmann.
The health system signed a similar contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in
January. Kullmann said with the two contracts, Mercy has positioned itself as the overall medical provider to the Cardinals.
In Springfield, Dr. Brian Mahaffey, a specialist with Mercy Clinic Sports Medicine, will continue his practice and serve as the minor league care liaison; Dr. Landon Hough is the primary care doctor for the team; Dr. Vic Wilson serves as head team orthopedist; and Drs. Richard Seagrave and Bernard Griesemer provide on-site medical coverage during games. Mercy also will have ambulances and paramedics at Springfield Cardinals home games to respond to the medical emergencies of attendees, according to a news release. Dr. Chris Miller, former partner and orthopedic surgeon at Orthopaedic Specialists of Springfield PC, previously had served as medical director for the team.
“In addition to establishing a vital continuity of player care between St. Louis and Springfield, we also look forward to working alongside Mercy to continue to promote healthy lifestyle choices for kids and adults throughout our community," Springfield Cardinals Vice President and General Manager Matt Gifford said in the release.
Mercy Central Communities President Jon Swope said the partnership also would serve as a means for Mercy to provide services such as blood pressure checkups and short CPR training courses.
“This partnership is really about Mercy’s desire to bring care to people where they are,” Swope said in the release. “We’ll be ready to treat an injured player or fan, but we also want to bring health and wellness activities to the community."
During the Springfield Cardinals home game last night against the Arkansas Travelers - which the Cards lost 4-2 -the Springfield team dedicated a retired numbers display sponsored by Mercy, a replica of a display at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.[[In-content Ad]]
