Baptist Health Sports Medicine has been named the exclusive provider of sports medicine services for the United Football League’s Louisville Kings, it was announced today by Jonathan Velez, MD, President of Baptist Health Louisville.
“When we heard the UFL was coming to our city, we were very excited to see if we could play a role. We are thrilled that Baptist Health will be the exclusive sports medicine provider and health care partner for the Kings this upcoming season,” said Velez.
The Kings will make their debut in the UFL when they kick off their inaugural season against the Birmingham Stallions at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville on Friday. March 27. Built on innovation, accessibility, and competitive excellence, the UFL delivers the most engaging professional football experience in the world—for both players and fans. Besides the Kings and the Stallions, the eight-team league features the Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Orlando Storm, and St. Louis Battlehawks.
“Our support for the Louisville Kings is an investment in our community. We are excited to grow this relationship and support the Kings, their fans and the community,” Velez said.
The Baptist Health Sports Medicine team providing on-field coverage for the Kings at Lynn Family Stadium are orthopedic specialists Ryan B. Eads, MD, Scott Kuiper, MD and Ty Richardson, MD along with sports medicine physicians Mark A. Puckett, MD and Michael Hughes, DO.
The sideline ER physicians are Ryan J. Smith, MD and Joseph Ritchie, MD and Athletic Trainer Certified (ATC) trainers Chris Mudd and Sam Klein.
“As the Kings embark on establishing a new winning tradition in Louisville, they are dedicated to teaming up with an organization like Baptist Health Sports Medicine, which is woven into the fabric of the community,” said Steve Macy, VP Partnerships. “Baptist Health Sports Medicine has an outstanding reputation for world class sports medicine services, making it the perfect partner for the Kings.”
Baptist Health’s athletic training team supports nearly 30 schools throughout Kentucky and Indiana as well as providing coverage for major regional and national sporting events
About Baptist Health Louisville
Baptist Health Louisville is a 490-bed hospital offering 88 points of care in a wide range of healthcare services. Area residents benefit from the hospital’s emergency services, including special teams for heart attack and stroke care.
The hospital’s cancer services include two freestanding Radiation Centers and the Charles and Mimi Osborn Cancer Center, which includes a cancer resource center and a multidisciplinary lung care clinic. Special services include women’s health, offering all-private maternity rooms and an expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, digital mammography, ultrasound, and bone-density scanning for osteoporosis. Other areas of expertise include orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, bariatric surgery, wound care, behavioral health, occupational health, and in-home care provided by Baptist Health Home Care. Baptist Health has a network of healthcare providers for patients in the metro Louisville area — from Baptist Health Medical Group physician offices to Baptist Health Urgent Care locations. A hybrid Emergency Department and Urgent Care is now open 24/7 on Blankenbaker Parkway.
The hospital has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for the fourth time.
Baptist Health Louisville is part of the 10-hospital Baptist Health system, headquartered in Louisville. Learn more at BaptistHealth.com/Louisville.