Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo and Mercy Health are excited to announce an agreement to enhance pediatric athletic training services in the region.
 
Effective Jan. 1, Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo assumed Mercy Health’s athletic training program and sports medicine services at local schools and youth programs.
 
“This transition is one of many ways our two hospitals continue to work together and build upon the existing legacy developed by Mercy Children’s Hospital to provide compassionate and quality care close to home,” said Jennifer Strauss, vice president of Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo. “Nationwide Children’s in Columbus has a long-standing history and proven commitment to sports medicine.”
 
Since coming to Toledo in March of 2022, Nationwide Children’s – Toledo has expanded its service offerings in multiple pediatric specialties, including general pediatrics, ear, nose and throat (ENT), orthopedic surgery and audiology. Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo's assumption of the sports medicine program is the most recent collaboration between the two hospital systems.
 
“Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo continues to be a valued addition in our region, and we are excited that the highly trained members of the Mercy Health athletic training program will continue to serve area athletes with high-quality and compassionate care,” said Becky Ford, director of ambulatory operations for Mercy Health – Toledo. “Mercy Health has established an extensive, well-respected program throughout the region, and we’re excited to see it evolve into its next chapter.”
 
The athletic training program, encompassing more than 40 employees, currently serves more than 30 local schools and community programs across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Nationwide Children’s – Toledo and Mercy Health will continue to work together to provide a smooth transition for student athletes, families and staff while offering the same high-quality level of care. Families and teams should expect no interruption in care or any major changes at this time.
 
Mercy Health will continue to provide athletic training services for several area colleges as well as the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon this spring.
 
“This transfer of services feels like a natural progression that aligns with both of our hospital goals,” Strauss added. “With a focus on prevention, athletic trainers will have the opportunity to partner with
our clinical staff and new orthopedic surgeon to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related injuries at all of the schools and communities we serve.”
 
Dr. Christopher Jackson, new orthopedic surgeon at Nationwide Children’s – Toledo, will treat student athletes with more serious injuries requiring further evaluation and medical care. In addition to his regular clinic hours, Dr. Jackson is now providing pediatric on-call services at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center’s emergency department.
 
“I am honored to be part of the Nationwide Children’s – Toledo team and passionate about getting student athletes back in the game,” Dr. Jackson said. “I’m excited to build on the positive momentum we have generated the last few months, and I look forward to the future of sports medicine at our hospital and in our community.”
 
Dr. Jackson joined Nationwide Children’s – Toledo in September of 2022 after completing his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Toledo and his pediatric orthopedic fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He specializes in diagnosing, evaluating and treating children of all ages and orthopedic conditions. Dr. Jackson will work closely and collaboratively with clinical staff and athletic trainers to build the new sports medicine program at Nationwide Children’s – Toledo.
 
For more information about Nationwide Children’s – Toledo, visit NationwideChildrens.org/Toledo.