The San Antonio Spurs want to help the community get healthy.
News Radio 1200 WOAI reports Spurs Sports and Entertainment has entered into a strategic partnership with Methodist Healthcare System to leverage the popularity of the Spurs to get all athletes, from elementary school kids to the pros in the several sports franchises owned by SS&E healthy.
"It gives us an opportunity to participate with Methodist as we go into the community and promote healthy lifestyles," Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford told News Radio 1200 WOAI's Michael Board.
The announcement of the partnership comes as the Spurs mark the 17th anniversary of Sean Elliott's return to the court following groundbreaking kidney transplant surgery, which was performed at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital.
Buford says the partnership will include several initiatives to increase the health and wellness of the community."One of the goals of the partnership is to create a lasting legacy of health by providing education and programming that encourages living an active lifestyle," he said.
Methodist says the partnership is a major boost for its hospital system, and for its effort to promote health in the community.
“Spurs Sports & Entertainment is a first-class organization and we are proud to have a partner that mirrors our values,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare. “This partnership will help us advance our mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God by providing exceptional and cost-effective health care accessible to all. Working together with SS&E, we can identify opportunities to promote health and make a positive impact in the communities that we serve.”
Spurs Senior Team Physician Dr. David Schmidt says the partnership will allow the Spurs to use their popularity to get good health information to all parts of the city.
"Their vast array of facilities and physicians will allow us to penetrate the community like never before," he told News Radio 1200 WOAI. "Offering wellness and prevention programs to athletes all over our community."