It’s no stretch to say that the Black Hills community is an active one. The endless outdoor exercise options as well as passionate fan bases for numerous sporting activities means there is no shortage of teams, games and tournaments throughout the Hills. Where you’ll find the most exciting sports action, you’ll likely find Monument Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine caregivers, providing expert medical assistance to the region’s athletes.
“Our primary mission with sports medicine is to be an excellent, comprehensive provider in our community.” said Shawn Mechling, lead athletic trainer with Monument Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. “Sports is such a big part of the local culture here, and it’s very gratifying to be able to play the role we do for local athletes.”
The presence of caregivers in schools during games, practices and training is a service that Monument Health provides at no charge to its partner school districts and universities. Caregivers on the Sports Medicine Team are responsible for establishing and maintaining the performance programs for the athletes of these schools. Trainers establish programs with three major goals in mind: improving athletic performance, reducing athletic injuries and teaching lifelong fitness and movement skills.
“We provide services to 10 area high schools and 3 area universities. We cover large scale rodeos like the Black Hills Roundup, Days of ’76 Rodeo, and Rodeo Rapid City,” said Mechling. “One of the best things about living and working in the Black Hills is being part of such a sports-centric community, and serving these area athletes while watching them perform and develop.”
The life of an athlete has its uncertainties — wins and losses, injury and recovery. In the Black Hills area, athletes can always count on the caregivers of the Monument Health Sports Medicine Team. Whether that means working with athletes during training to reduce the possibility of injury, on the sidelines during a game or recovery post-injury, Monument Health Sports Medicine is a constant in the lives of athletes in the Black Hills.
1635 Caregiver Circle, Rapid City, SD 57702
2479 East Colorado Boulevard, Spearfish, SD 57783
620 W Four-J Court , Gillette, WY 82716
monument.health/sportsmedicine