ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Athletic Department is thrilled to announce a partnership between UNW Sports Medicine and Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The partnership will enhance the medical care that UNW student-athletes will receive both in and out of season.

UNW Athletics' partnership with Mayo Clinic will give the Eagles access to the entirety of the Mayo organization which includes the Minneapolis and Rochester locations. These Mayo Clinic locations are widely considered to be amongst the best medical providers and facilities in the world. UNW Sports Medicine's access will not be limited to orthopedics but will include all specialties that Mayo Clinic offers (cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, etc.).

Brent Cramer, UNW's Head Athletic Trainer, is thrilled about the opportunity to continue to improve the medical care that Eagle student-athletes receive. "We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Mayo and having access to all that they offer as one of the best medical providers in the world," Cramer said. "Being able to offer the best to our student-athletes is what we always desire in our Sports Medicine department. This partnership with Mayo will allow us to do that not only at an orthopedic level, but at all levels of medicine so that our student-athletes (and their parents) have the confidence that they are being cared for very well and intentionally."

Mayo Clinic has also expressed excitement about the partnership. "All of us within Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine are very excited about the partnership with the University of Northwestern." Jeffrey M. Payne, M.D., Mayo Clinic sports medicine physician and medical director, Mayo Clinic Square said. Dr. Payne would go on to explain that as part of the partnership between Mayo Clinic and the University of Northwestern, Mayo Clinic specialists will diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate injuries sustained by University of Northwestern student-athletes. This will include Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Specialists seeing the student-athletes on campus during dedicated training room hours and providing coverage during various athletic events on campus.

The University of Northwestern Athletic Department is looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Mayo Clinic.