For many students, adapting to university life can be challenging, especially considering the availability of medical care options. Through the Injury Care Clinic (ICC), Grand Valley State University provides evaluation, rehabilitation and physical therapy services to all students regardless of their status as a member of a club or intramural sport.
Located on the lower level of the Fieldhouse Arena, the ICC works directly with students during weekdays by taking free walk-ins for general assessments or scheduled appointments for further assistance. The team of medical professionals offers evaluations of injuries and medical advice about possible recovery methods. Their approach is catered toward the individual, including recommendations for specific strength and mobility exercises that aim to support healing.
Abby Willock, head athletic trainer for the ICC and Club Sports, recognizes the value of this resource for student-athletes in particular. Her ability to give these assessments benefits students who may be experiencing an injury for the first time, unsure of how to begin their recovery process.
“The ICC allows me to create meaningful relationships with student-athletes, and in turn, aid their success in their sport,” Willock said. “Though evaluations are short in duration due to the volume of students, they open conversation about next steps, whether it is giving home exercises to try or being able to further refer student-athletes to physicians for further evaluation.”
For those who may require consultation or imaging, the ICC has a streamlined referral system in place that can connect students directly with Trinity Health.
Mark Sulavik, a physical therapist with Trinity, works in the Fieldhouse. Sulavik works with students after a referral has been made by the ICC and medical insurance has been verified. This one-on-one approach can be vital to a student’s recovery, especially for those who may not have transportation available to find assistance at off-campus locations.
Through Trinity Health, Sulavik offers a consistent regimen of exercises and stretches that are catered to a variety of common injuries.
“Whether the athlete has sustained a significant injury that will take months to resolve or an injury that will resolve more quickly, we work with them to bring them all the way back from initial injury or surgery to full competition,” Sulavik said. “We provide specialized return-to-sport testing to ensure they are safe to return with as little risk of re-injury as possible.”
With many of the ICC’s services being free of charge, awareness of its availability on campus can make the difference in a student’s decision to seek help and prioritize their health. The ICC is open for walk-ins 1-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.