Memphis Athletics has a physical therapist, chiropractor on campus for its student-athletes.
By: By Lamar Chance
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NOTE: This feature first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Nov. 23 when Memphis hosted Houston.
It's amazing what relationships can lead to: new friendships, more connections and ingenious ideas. That's what led to the birth of the new on-campus clinic for University of Memphis student-athletes.
The on-campus clinic opened at the beginning of October, but it took a while – try 15 years – for the idea to be realized. And it all came about when a relationship began between Monica Baker and former Tigers head athletic trainer, the late Eddie Cantler.
"This has been in the works for years," said Baker, who is both a physical therapist for Memphis athletics and a lead physical therapist with Baptist. "The plans were finalized this August, and we started the first week of October."
Monica Baker is a conference-appointed medical spotter during Memphis football games.
The plans to bring an on-campus clinic for Memphis student-athletes began all the way back in 2003 when Baker was volunteering with Tigers athletics. A 2000 Central Arkansas graduate with a physical therapy degree, Baker was looking to get her athletic training license, but needed one athletic training course to become certified. Enter Cantler, who was teaching the class she needed.
"I was hoping just to take the test and not actually have to go to class," said Baker, who is Memphis' conference-appointed medical spotter during football games. "A colleague of mine told me Eddie was teaching the class, and Eddie and I hit it off. Eddie would give me a hard time and say I should be teaching the class.
"We developed a unique relationship, and he asked me to start helping him with the team. From there, my role just kind of grew."
Today, that planted seed of an idea is now reality on the Memphis campus. With the clinic, Memphis athletic training has added Baker and Dr. Jude Miller, a chiropractor. Darrell Turner, associate athletics director for sports medicine, believes the additions benefits both the student-athletes and his staff.
Dr. Jude Miller
"It took time to get through all the details in setting up these partnerships, but now the athletes are reaping the rewards, the benefits," said Turner. "It makes everything better in what we can provide. We gained a physical therapist and a chiropractor, and I'm thrilled with both sides and what we're able to do on a daily basis.
"We've really stepped it up, and it gives us something to continue to grow in a positive direction in taking care of our athletes."
That direction has led to an on-campus clinic that is more convenient for the student-athletes which, in turn, leads to more consistent, focused rehab. The clinic, where Baker's office is stationed, is in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, which is centrally located on the University's main campus. Baker and Dr. Miller also have the flexibility of moving around to the different facilities to offer care.
"Having the care on campus allows us to see a greater volume of athletes," said Dr. Miller, a graduate of Logan University, a private chiropractic-health sciences college located outside St. Louis. "It allows for more consistent care because sometimes the athletes don't have rides to (off-campus) clinics.
"Having it on-site, we're able to see those athletes on a daily basis to get them the care they need. It's a convenience factor. It improves their quality of care, and it allows us to improve the compliance with care because we're here every day to see what they're doing and how we can improve their performance."
Baker added, "This helps the athletes because they don't have to drive to an off-site location for rehab. Having this gives them easy access to one on campus, and that's going to make them show up more and receive more therapy because it's convenient.
"Many come by the clinic right after classes. They're more apt to show up. They're more apt to be engaged while they are here because they can get in and get out and get back to studying. We're adding another level of rehab to help the athletes get back on the field or court faster."
Another advantage the on-campus clinic offers is the ability to train future medical professionals. According to Turner, Logan University's partnership gives Dr. Miller the opportunity to introduce students to the chiropractic field.
"With Dr. Miller, the partnership with Logan University allows this to be a clinical site where future chiropractors can come in and learn from him, while also giving our athletes an on-campus chiropractor," said Turner.
Giving expanded care to student-athletes on campus and offering training for future medical specialists is unique for a school like Memphis.
"Memphis is one of the few schools its size in the nation with this on campus," said Baker. "It is a unique set-up because similar universities have medical schools on campus, and Memphis doesn't.
"This adds another layer of focused, one-on-one rehab. Memphis is adding dynamics to its care with me and Jude. We're becoming a multi-faceted sports medicine team."
