HonorHealth awarded Scottsdale Unified School District Athletic Training Program

Scottsdale, Ariz. (April 24, 2023) – HonorHealth, a leading Valley healthcare system in the greater Phoenix and Scottsdale area, will be the new provider for the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Athletic Training Program. As part of the four-year contract, HonorHealth will cover all five SUSD high schools providing semi-annual pre-participation physical exams, game coverage by HonorHealth Medical Staff for all varsity football games, bump and bruise clinics, physical therapy services, and more.

Erik Dean, DO, an independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff and leader within the HonorHealth Sports Medicine Program, will serve as the Athletic Training Program’s medical director and lead physician, continuing his involvement with SUSD athletics that spans two decades. Dr. Dean shared, “We are humbled by the opportunity to provide the highest-quality care to the Scottsdale student athlete community. For the past twenty years, our athletic trainers have built strong relationships with their student athletes focused on what’s best for them.”

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Dr. Dean and our certified athletic trainers through HonorHealth,” said SUSD Athletic Director Nathan Slater. “This tremendous relationship not only continues to keep our student athletes healthy, but it also supports our career and technical education courses in sports medicine. The addition of HonorHealth only strengthens our capacity.”

HonorHealth will employ seven, certified athletic trainers who will attend all high school home sporting events, host educational seminars and training for coaches, parents, administrators and students, along with expedited referrals, as needed. HonorHealth will also provide Monday morning injury clinic hours for injured student athletes with HonorHealth Sports Medicine providers.

“As the preeminent healthcare provider for Scottsdale, HonorHealth is very proud of our decades-long relationship with the Scottsdale Unified School District,” said Michelle Pabis, HonorHealth’s vice-president of government and community affairs. “We always go beyond to provide services, support and training for students, teachers and staff to meet the health and learning needs of our neighbors. This new opportunity adds an exciting chapter in our long-standing alliance.”