GREENWOOD, IND. – Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, formerly known as Methodist Sports Medicine, was selected by the City of Greenwood to provide tactical athlete services for its police and fire departments. Forté, known for its highly specialized orthopedic care provided to the Indianapolis Colts, Purdue University, Butler University and other high-performing teams, embeds athletic trainers onsite at municipalities to deliver this specialized care.
“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the City of Greenwood to be able to help their tactical athletes get back to doing what they do best – protecting, serving and caring for the people of Greenwood, Indiana,” stated Dr. Mark Ritter, president of Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. “These athletes are highly trained, and at greater risk of musculoskeletal injury than many other occupations. Our team will help their team improve performance and do what they do best, even better.”
“We pride ourselves on investing in and delivering the best quality of life to residents and visitors and that starts with public safety,” said Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers. “It is the goal, with our Forté partnership, to ensure our first responders have quality care such that they can be at their best.”
Greenwood police and fire department personnel will have quick access to all services provided by Forté, including biomechanical analysis to identify functional deficits, proactive individualized injury prevention programs to improve movement patterns, orthopedic evaluation from leading orthopedic surgeons, and regular follow-ups and tactical rehabilitation with the embedded athletic trainer.
“To have a firefighter off work due to an injury costs our department hundreds of dollars a day and negatively impacts that firefighter and his or her family,” said Greenwood Fire Department Chief Darin Hoggatt. “We anticipate this program will help save money and improve team performance and morale, which are important as we work to preserve the life and property for all who live in and visit the City of Greenwood.”
James Ison, chief of police for the City of Greenwood said, “It is in the best interest of the police department to ensure our professional officers are physically prepared to meet whatever challenges may come their way during their shifts. Having this program will allow us to focus on injury prevention, but also expedite a return to work if an injury does occur, so that we are best prepared to provide a safe environment for residents and visitors.”
Selected to provide care for these athletes is Dave Walston, who has served as an athletic trainer for the Indianapolis Colts for nearly 30 years. Used to working with the pressure of returning professional athletes to play, Walston relishes this new opportunity. “I can’t wait for the opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in working with professional football players to members of the police and fire departments,” said Walston. “While I understand these roles are different, the principles of a safe and effective return to activity are the same. I am honored to be able to work alongside these tactical athletes and apply my training to help them help others.”
Forté currently provides tactical care for the Carmel Police Department, Bloomington Fire Department, Bloomington Police Department and White River Township Fire Department.
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About Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, previously known as Methodist Sports Medicine, is an independent, physician-owned orthopedic practice recognized as one of the region’s most respected orthopedic groups. Founded in 1983 as one of the country’s original sports medicine practices, Forté has grown to include 29 physicians and 237 team members who provide comprehensive, specialized sports medicine and orthopedic care to patients of all ages.
Clinical evaluations performed by highly skilled fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, combined with advanced surgical techniques and comprehensive non-surgical treatment options, provide patients with exceptional treatment outcomes and a return to active living. Forté provides patients comprehensive orthopedic care in several sub-specialties, including hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder; foot and ankle; hip and knee; joint replacement and revision; spine care and sports medicine. Forté has been trusted by the Indianapolis Colts as their official team physicians since 1983 and serve as the orthopedic provider for Purdue University, Butler University, Indiana State University and numerous high schools and public safety departments throughout central Indiana.
Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics also innovates daily through a separate 501(c)(3), Forté Orthopedic Research Institute, that improves the lives of patients everywhere through advanced clinical research and education.
