STOCKBRIDGE — Piedmont Henry Hospital CEO David Kent knows first hand the importance of athletic trainers.
Growing up in Indiana, his dream was to play basketball. In high school, that dream was shattered — not on the basketball court but on the football field when he suffered a knee injury.
“I was completely devastated,” Kent said. “This was my dream. This is what I wanted to do and the way that that athletic trainer handled me and the way that that doctor handled me and my family I’ll never forget, and I still remember their faces and their names.”
After the knee injury, Kent continued his athletic career but in a different way as he became a swimmer and continued to swim in college. While in college, he had shoulder problems, so again, he benefited from the expertise of athletic trainers.
Now, Piedmont Henry and OrthoAtlanta will partner with Henry County Schools to provide comprehensive athletic trainer services for local student-athletics.
“It’s personal to me,” he said, adding, “Our mission at Piedmont is to make a positive difference in every life we touch, and I just think that there’s no better way to do that than reaching out to the school system and serving our students.”
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.
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, an HCS press release read.
“It’s just important to us and important to me that as Piedmont Henry grows, as Henry County grows — we’re really serving a region now beyond Henry County — but that we don’t forget our own backyard and the people in our own community that are right here that need us, so we’re going to continue to look for ways to provide that care,” Kent said at an Oct. 25 event announcing the partnership.
According to Henry County Superintendent John Pace III, there are more than 7,000 student athletes in the local school system and the partnership is “invaluable — it’s life-changing.”
“Our student-athletes will benefit so greatly from this for years to come,” Pace said.
OrthoAtlanta orthopedic surgeon Dr. Todd Schmidt said while sports medicine at the professional level is more high-profile, the core of sports medicine is at the high school level — and the core of sports medicine at the high school level is the certified athletic trainer.
“The athletic trainer is around these students a lot,” he said. “They get to know not just their ankle or their shoulder — they get to know their family, their parents, their friends and it’s such an important part to health care to have that sort of relationship.”
Piedmont Henry Hospital Executive Director of Patient Services Walter Williams — a 2003 Eagle’s Landing High graduate who also wrestled for legendary coach Don Williams — said he is “super excited about where (the partnership is) going and the opportunity it leads to.”
“When David brought his vision to me, partnering with Henry County Schools, I couldn’t be more elated because I am a graduate of Henry County Schools, and so it’s kind of full circle for me and then being a part of the hospital and a way to give back to the community,” Williams said.
Henry County Schools Athletic Director Kelli Hutcheson said there have been many conversations about how to meet the needs of schools with athletic trainers and sports medicine.
The partnership is “an answer to prayer and a dream come true,” she said.
In the 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 initiative reflects our core belief that all learning environments should be supportive, safe and secure,” said Henry County Board of Education Chair Sophe Pope. “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.”
