INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 22, 2009 – USA Gymnastics and St. Vincent Sports Performance Center today announced their partnership for injury prevention and sports medicine support for USA Gymnastics’ national teams has been extended. The two organizations first joined forces in 2006 when the Indianapolis-based hospital became the official health care provider for USA Gymnastics.

“The expertise and resources that St. Vincent Sports Performance has provided to USA Gymnastics are invaluable,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Elite athletes have special needs, and St. Vincent has created a resource designed to serve those needs. Having a team of medical professionals trained for supporting world-class athletes is vital, and the quality treatment our athletes have received has helped us remain one of the top gymnastics countries in the world.”

The St. Vincent Sports Performance staff is available for consultation and medical support for U.S. national team members and their coaches, as well as to help educate the sport’s coaches at the grassroots level. St. Vincent physicians and sports medicine associates have provided medical support during training and competitions at national and international events. Additionally, they are available on a 24-hour basis to answer questions and address concerns as they arise. This unique partnership affords USA Gymnastics the opportunity to receive quality health care and sports performance from a highly regarded medical institution.

“Every professional sports team has a medical staff that oversees the care of its athletes and provides wellness solutions on a daily basis,” said Penny. “The Olympic movement and the national governing bodies are challenged by the fact that our athletes live all over the country. We do our very best to provide trainers and other medical support that are reliable, trustworthy, and available whenever necessary, and St. Vincent Sports Performance provides the ultimate solution. They offer the elite athlete every possible service to help them sustain their peak performance.”

St. Vincent Sports Performance is the first and largest hospital-based program of its kind in the United States, which includes 19 physicians, 47 nationally-certified athletic trainers, 12 certified strength and conditioning specialists, two sport psychologists and one sports dietician. St. Vincent also announced new partnerships with USA Diving and USA Track and Field.

“We have a goal to define sports performance and our partnerships with these three very reputable national governing body organizations ensuring that we are making strides toward that goal,” said Ralph Reiff, director of St. Vincent Sports Performance. “It is our privilege to serve athletes across an array of sports, which is a testament to the experience and compassionate spirit of our team. Amateur and professional athletes can expect the same level of excellence when they visit our nationally-recognized staff for treatment or performance improvement.”

The Indianapolis-based program currently provides comprehensive care to professional teams and athletes in an array of sports including: Indy Racing League (IRL), NFL, NBA, WNBA and other national governing body competitors. St. Vincent Sports Performance also provides support for three universities and 30 high school and middle school athletes in central Indiana.

St. Vincent Hospitals and Health Services
Driven by the faith of four Daughters of Charity who arrived in Indianapolis in 1881 with $34.77 in their pockets, the St. Vincent Hospital mission is to treat the poor and sick by following our Core Values of Service of the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication. Our healthcare ministry has grown to include seven Centers of Excellence: Women’s, Children’s, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, Cancer Care and Bariatrics. The ageless mission of St. Vincent remains unchanged: to minister to the minds, bodies and spirits of those in need.