Harris Regional Hospital and Western Carolina University Athletics renew partnership in support of student athlete health

Harris Regional Hospital is pleased to announce the renewal of its longstanding sponsorship and partnership agreement with Western Carolina University (WCU) Athletics. This renewed partnership underscores the hospital’s continued commitment to supporting the health and well-being of WCU's student-athletes through the provision of orthopaedic and sports medicine care, as well as expanded access to other essential healthcare services.

The partnership between WCU and Harris Regional has long been a cornerstone of community collaboration, emphasizing the shared values of health, wellness, and excellence in the region. As part of this ongoing relationship, Harris Regional Hospital will continue to serve as the exclusive healthcare partner for WCU Athletics, providing essential medical support and resources to ensure that student-athletes can perform at their best, both on and off the field.

While formally established in 2015, the partnership includes a decades-long legacy of support for essential health services to student-athletes both on the sidelines and on the field, including physician-led game and injury coverage and physical therapy and sports medicine services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership expanded to include essential testing and treatment services to ensure the health and safety of student-athletes. Additionally, student-athletes receive access to important general health services through Harris Regional, including primary care, imaging, lab services, emergency care, and other specialty care. WCU’s emergency services team works closely with Harris Regional to help students access timely emergency care and stabilizing treatment when needed, further ensuring that students have access to local care.

"We are thrilled to renew our longstanding partnership with Western Carolina University Athletics," said Ashley Hindman, CEO of Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals. "This collaboration allows us to continue our vital role in supporting the health and safety of WCU's student-athletes, and we are proud to be a continued part of their journey to success."

WCU Athletic Director Alex Gary expressed his enthusiasm for the continued partnership, stating, "The health and well-being of our student-athletes are of utmost importance, and we are grateful for the hospital’s ongoing support. This partnership has been invaluable in ensuring that our athletes have access to quality healthcare, and we look forward to building on this relationship in the years to come."

Harris Regional Hospital is proud to offer orthopaedic and sports medicine care through Harris Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, a practice comprised of highly skilled providers Lawrence Supik, MD, Doug Gates, MD, Ryan Slechta, MD, Joshua Patton, DO, John Songer, MD, Jarod Schoeberl, MPA, PA-C and Alexis Willey, PA-C. Harris Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine specializes in both injury prevention and intervention, helping all patients, including athletes, to achieve optimal health and return to their activities as safely and quickly as possible.  

The renewal of the partnership was officially celebrated with a signing event on Friday, August 23 at WCU’s Ramsey Center, with members of Harris Regional’s and WCU Athletics’ leadership teams in attendance.

Harris Regional Hospital has officially been a proud partner of WCU Athletics since 2015. The renewed agreement reaffirms the hospital’s commitment to making communities healthier, working hand-in-hand with the university to support the next generation of athletes and leaders.