Kansas Universities Unveil Health Plans for Student-Athletes

In a recent presentation to the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), Wichita State University's Director of Athletics, Kevin Saal, unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at bolstering health-based services for the university's student-athletes.

This comes after KBOR's push last year for better student-athlete health care initiatives, requesting specific initiatives from each Kansas university. Alongside Saal, athletic directors from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas also showcased their respective health-based strategies.

Saal, emphasizing the alignment of the KBOR initiative with Wichita State's mission, said: 

"Our mission at Wichita State is to develop young people and programs the 'Shocker Way' through first-class service to our student-athletes."

Key Highlights from Saal's Plan:

Human Resources and Staffing: A primary focus will be to expand the sports medicine unit. This includes the recent appointment of a Certified Athletic Trainer for track and field, cross country, a patient care coordinator, and a mental health and performance counselor. Saal also plans to replace three graduate assistants with full-time professionals and introduce a sports nutritionist or dietitian to the team.

Policy and Procedures: The update aims to improve medical emergency protocols, focusing on risks such as heat illness, heat stroke, asthma, and other medical emergencies. Saal emphasized the importance of yearly updates and the collaboration with Ascension Via Christi in this endeavor.

Standards and Practices: In partnership with Ascension Via Christi, the plan outlines the introduction of modern practices, such as soft-tissue manipulation and other alternative treatments. Furthermore, Saal intends to formalize the process for student-athlete data analysis, improve sports program support meetings, and introduce daily readiness surveys. A potential shift from the current electronic medical record system, SportsWare, is also on the horizon, with plans to decide on a new system by the end of the year. (Hi! We're Healthy Roster!) 

Nutrition: The nutrition of student-athletes will be a focus area. Plans include extending the current snack services to incorporate weekly meals and coordinated care for those facing challenges related to eating disorders, injuries, and body weight goals.

Facilities and Equipment: As part of the Cessna Stadium renovations, there are plans to include a new training room and a dedicated space for the Shocker Health and Performance team. Saal stressed the importance of consistency across all athletic training rooms.

Education and Compliance: Saal identified this as the "key to any successful programming and improvement". He envisions comprehensive emergency action plans, enhanced mental health, nutrition, performance, and behavioral science programs, and a robust "culture of accountability."

Despite the outlined improvements, Saal acknowledges the ongoing journey to excellence. He stressed the university's commitment to continual adaptation based on student-athlete needs and the broader university context.

Saal concluded by underscoring the absence of a "finish line" in this endeavor and pledged to update KBOR on progress over the coming five years, emphasizing, "We will continue to pursue excellence in all those areas."

Read the full story here. Now... about that Sports Medicine EMR change?  We should talk, Mr. Saal.