View more photos from the announcement here.
(CINCINNATI; February 12, 2019) – FC Cincinnati today announced that Mercy Health, Ohio’s largest health care provider, is the club’s “Official Health Care Provider.”
The news follows the much-anticipated unveiling yesterday of FC Cincinnati’s official 2019 MLS jersey, which features Mercy Health as the kit sponsor, and last September’s announcement that Mercy Health is the naming partner for the club’s Milford, Ohio, training complex – the Mercy Health Training Center.
“Mercy Health’s relationship with FC Cincinnati has been steadily building and we’re excited to announce this next stage in our partnership,” said John Starcher, President and CEO, Bon Secours Mercy Health. “Mercy Health already partners with professional and everyday athletes throughout the region and this aspect of our partnership solidifies our commitment to caring for FC Cincinnati players, coaches and staff as well as their dedicated fans, whose enthusiasm helped carry FC Cincinnati to the MLS and inspires us all.”
Mercy Health orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert Matthew Busam, MD will serve as the MLS club’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Busam earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also completed his internship in general surgery and residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed his fellowship in sports medicine and orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois before returning home to Cincinnati, where he has also served as a team physician for the Cincinnati Bengals and Elder High School, among others.
“I know the vital role that quality medical care plays in the success of teams and individual players. I am honored to serve as Chief Medical Officer for the MLS’ newest team and excited to play a part in the team’s continued advancement,” said Dr. Busam.
“As they increasingly commit more and more to FC Cincinnati, we continue to see Mercy Health’s partnership showcase the incredible support the club has from not only its fans, but also the Greater Cincinnati business community,” FC Cincinnati President & General Manager Jeff Berding said. “Mercy Health’s reputation for caring for the community is outstanding and we know that our players, coaches, staff and fans are in superbly skilled and caring hands with Mercy Health.”
Mercy Health is assembling a robust health care team for FC Cincinnati that includes the club’s chief medical officer and orthopedic specialist, primary care sports medicine physician, athletic trainers, physical therapists and sports performance experts.
Mercy Health is providing FC Cincinnati’s players with team physicals and orthopedic care, as well as sports medicine services at the club’s training facility and stadium facilities. Mercy Health’s network is available to assist coaches, players and staff with medical transfers and specialty medical care, including podiatry, neurology, cardiology and orthopedic surgery. Mercy Health will also provide emergency management, assessment and triage of injuries to club players, coaches, referees and injured MLS players and Academy players during games.
In addition, Mercy Health will care for the fans at FC Cincinnati games by providing first aid stations and ambulances to transport anyone who’s injured and needs emergency care on game days.
Mercy Health will collaborate with FC Cincinnati to establish an innovative sports performance program, as well as the Mercy Health Center of Excellence, which will be located in FC Cincinnati’s new stadium. The Mercy Health Center of Excellence will feature a sports training facility for on-site training and physical therapy on game days, as well as an imaging center and executive health facility, which will be used for both the team and members of the community.
Mercy Health is also working with FC Cincinnati to build out the Mercy Health Plaza, an outdoor space just outside the new FCC stadium, which will be dedicated to community health events and other health-related programming.
FC Cincinnati is a professional soccer team that enters Major League Soccer as the league’s 24th team this season. The club’s ownership group is led by majority owner Carl H. Lindner III and also includes Scott Farmer and George Joseph. Launched in 2015 by Lindner III and current President and General Manager Jeff Berding, FCC began play in the USL in 2016. The club won the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship in record-setting fashion, and earned postseason berths in all three of its USL seasons. In 2017, FC Cincinnati also advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that included pair of victories over MLS squads. The team currently plays its home games at the historic Nippert Stadium on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, and has started construction on a soccer-specific stadium in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati that is expected to open in early 2021. | Follow the team on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, or visit the club’s official website: fccincinnati.com.
Mercy Health is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMHealth.org,) one of the top 20 health systems in the United States and part of the top performing quartile of Catholic health systems for lowest cost per case for patient care. Mercy Health is the largest health system in Ohio and among the top five employers in the state, with more than 33,500 employees serving communities throughout Ohio and in Kentucky. Mercy Health provided care for patients more than 6.8 million times in 2017. The system includes assets of $6.8 billion and nearly 500 care facilities including 23 hospitals and 26 post-acute care facilities including senior living communities, hospice programs and home health agencies. Its clinically integrated network of more than 2,700 health care providers coordinates more effective and efficient care for more than 350,000 patients, saving money for taxpayers through the Medicare Shared Savings Program. As part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, the ministry provides nearly $2 million per day in community benefit.
