Community
CMH to provide student health and sports medicine services at SBU
Citizens Memorial Hospital and Southwest Baptist University recently formalized two partnerships for providing student medical care. CMH will provide medical services at SBU’s health clinic and will continue a partnership for sports medicine care for student-athletes.
“SBU and CMH have a long-standing relationship as collaborative partners on multiple projects,” said Michael Calhoun, CEO/executive director of CMH and the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation. “With this partnership, SBU students will receive expert medical care with the convenience of being in Bolivar. We are excited to provide on-campus medical services for all SBU students and proud to be the preferred medical provider for the SBU Bearcats.”
Medical Services
CMH will provide medical services at SBU’s health clinic through a nurse navigator and tele-health program starting with the 2023-24 academic year.
The nurse navigator will provide basic health care services, including treatment for common illnesses and ailments, basic checkups and health assessments. For medical conditions requiring a higher level of care, the nurse will coordinate virtual appointments with medical providers or referrals to a clinic or hospital, depending on the severity of the illness.
"Having a registered nurse and tele-health capabilities through CMH available to our students on campus takes our quality of care to a new level, and we are excited for what's ahead in our partnership," said Dr. Jonathon Woodyard, SBU vice president for student life.
Sports Medicine
Team physicians S. Craig Morris, M.D., and Juris P. Simanis, M.D., FAAFP, CAQSM, RMSK, will work closely with the University’s athletic trainers to provide holistic medical care. The physicians will provide medical oversight for student-athletes.
Dr. Morris is the medical director for the SBU sports medicine program. He is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. His experience includes working with high school, college and professional athletes. He worked with elite athletes of professional sports teams in Los Angeles, including the Rams, Angels, Dodgers and Galaxy, and the Anaheim Ducks. In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Morris specializes in orthopedic surgeries.
Dr. Simanis is a board-certified family and sports medicine physician with extended fellowship training in sports medicine and musculoskeletal ultrasound. He has more than a decade of experience using advanced treatments and protocols for treating concussions and physical injuries.
“I am thankful for our partners at CMH and thrilled that our students will benefit from the care of quality health professionals both on the field and across campus,” said Dr. Rick Melson, President of SBU. “The health and safety of our students is a primary responsibility, and SBU is proud to make these investments that enhance our services.”
For more information about CMH, visit citizensmemorial.com. For more information about SBU, visit SBUniv.edu.
