Blue Wahoos Announce Andrews Institute As Official Sports Medicine Provider

PENSACOLA, Fla., Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A farm team, announced its official partnership with the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, based in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  As the official medical provider for the team, the Andrews Institute, an affiliate of Baptist Health Care, will be responsible for providing orthopaedic and sports medicine care for the players and staff of the Blue Wahoos.   

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Since its inception, the Andrews Institute has earned a reputation as one of the premier sports medicine centers in the country.  This reputation, and the reputation of its physicians and sports medicine experts, was a key part of attracting the team, according to Bruce Baldwin, President of the Blue Wahoos.   

"When you think about the best athletes in the world, and who they turn to for sports medicine, the Andrews name is a consistent response," said Baldwin.  "We are thrilled to have the Andrews Institute as our official sports medicine provider, and it is a real testament to the community that we have such incredible medical talent in the area, which is being recognized for its expertise by this partnership," Baldwin continued. 

Baldwin said that the selection of any sports medicine provider for a professional sports team is a very competitive, and very exclusive, process.  Not only did the Andrews Institute, its facilities and its medical specialists have to pass muster with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, but the Institute also had to earn approval from Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds organization.   

"Each of our players, and many of our staff, are assets of, and responsible to, the Cincinnati Reds organization," said Baldwin. "When you think about what Major League Baseball invests in these athletes, and what the teams are expecting in terms of performance from these athletes, some of whom will play right here in Pensacola, it's easy to understand how this selection process can be so rigorous and intensive.  Clearly, the Andrews Institute has what it takes, and both the Blue Wahoos and the Reds organizations were impressed with their credentials, their track record, and we were especially happy that the Andrews Institute is right here in the community." 

The Andrews Institute, a facility of the Pensacola-based Baptist Health Care, is located just minutes from the waterfront stadium where the Blue Wahoos will play, and is named after it's founder, world-renowned sports medicine physician Dr. James Andrews.  Baptist Health Care President and CEO Al Stubblefield said the partnership with the Blue Wahoos was a great accomplishment for the Andrews Institute.   

"We are honored to have been selected by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos as their official orthopaedics and sports medicine provider," said Stubblefield. "Baptist Health Care and the Andrews Institute are not only proud to provide world-class medical coverage for the team, but we're thrilled to have the opportunity to support our community while also enjoying one of the great American past times, watching a game of baseball."

SOURCE Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine