Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Inside WMCHealth’s Sports Medicine Partnership with Marist College

While the allure of victory is undeniable, life as an NCAA Division 1 student-athlete is about more than just winning games. It's about maintaining optimal health, which includes everything from injury prevention and education to post-game recovery rituals. One local institution, Marist College, sought a partner to provide that foundation of comprehensive medical care — and they found it in WMCHealth.

At the heart of this collaboration is the dedicated expertise of Daniel Zelazny, MD, an orthopaedic sports medicine specialist at WMCHealth, who along with his colleagues Jeremy Mangion, MD, and Rachel Talley-Bruns, MD, provide orthopaedic care to Marist College’s Red Foxes. What started as a casual coffee meeting with Marist’s athletic director, Tim Murray, has grown into a 10-year commitment to the college’s athletic community.

The partnership extends its reach beyond football and basketball to include all 23 of the college’s varsity teams. Dr. Zelazny emphasizes, "The spectrum of sports we cover demonstrates our truly holistic approach. Every athlete's well-being matters, regardless of the sport they play."

The relationship between WMCHealth and Marist College isn't confined to moments of injury. The orthopaedic team conducts biannual preseason physicals in both the fall and spring, ensuring athletes are in the ideal condition to pursue their athletic aspirations.

The medical team at WMCHealth is a collection of experts in the field, all of whom have completed sports medicine fellowship training. These credentials equip them with the skills to address the specific needs of athletes, allowing them to provide the highest quality care. By virtue of the association with WMCHealth, the student athletes have access to other orthoapedic subspecialists (hand, spine and foot and ankle) as well as across all other non-orthopaedic medical fields.

Trust stands at the center of this alliance. “The trust between us and Marist College is the core of our relationship. Marist knows we have only the best interest of the student-athlete in mind. They have complete faith in our recommendations and treatments, and vice versa — anything we ask or request, we know they will follow through,” says Dr. Zelazny.

The collaboration between WMCHealth and Marist College is more than a partnership; it's a dedication to the health, wellness and success of the athletes, and by extension, the larger community. This ongoing journey is a testament to the impact that such collaborations can have on shaping the future of sports and healthcare.

To learn more about WMCHealth’s Advanced Orthopaedics practice and locations, check out our website.

Daniel Zelazny, MD at Marist College