Cleveland Clinic serves as the medical services provider supporting the health and wellness of Kent State student-athletes, offering a variety of multidisciplinary services including physicians, athletic training, physical therapy, behavioral health services, sports performance services, medical scheduling and insurance processing.
“Our student-athletes deserve the best support to stay healthy and fit, and we can’t think of a better partner to provide this support than Cleveland Clinic,” said Kent State University President Todd Deacon. “Cleveland Clinic has been an excellent partner on many fronts, including with our nursing and public health programs, the Brain Health Institute, respiratory therapy students on our Ashtabula campus, and grant-funded research projects, and we look forward to continuing to expand this valuable partnership.”
Kent State’s relationship with Cleveland Clinic also extends to its alumni. Cleveland Clinic employs more than 2,300 Kent State graduates, and approximately half of the Kent State alumni employed at this internationally renowned health system are graduates of the school’s School of Nursing.
With this new partnership, Dr. Rutul Farrow, executive director of Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine, will serve as the team’s head physician and health care administrator for Kent State Athletics. Dr. Farrow is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with a specialty certification in sports medicine. Dr. Farrow will lead a group of team physicians that includes Dr. Sami Rifat, director of sports and exercise medicine at Cleveland Clinic, who is board-certified in family medicine and has additional certification in fellowship-trained sports medicine. The team physician staff will also include four additional board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine specialists. These team physicians will provide care at all Kent State home sporting events, Kent State-hosted Mid-American Conference (MAC) championships, and home and away football contests.
“Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine is excited to partner with Kent State University as the official health care provider for their athletic programs,” said Farrow. “Our goal is to provide the highest level of care and support to our talented student-athletes, enabling them to perform at their best while maintaining optimal health and wellness. This partnership allows us to offer our expertise and resources to this great educational institution and its students.”
Additionally, Cleveland Clinic will provide year-round clinic hours for Kent State student-athletes, allowing them access to team physicians outside of game days. Golden Flashes students, student-athletes and faculty will also have access to an on-site sports physical therapist throughout the year. Additionally, a Cleveland Clinic-employed registered dietitian will be available virtually or on-site to help student-athletes ensure they are properly nourished throughout the year.
“We are excited to begin our partnership with Cleveland Clinic,” said Kent State University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Landale L. Richmond. “The landscape of college sports is constantly changing, but one of the most important priorities is the health and safety of our student-athletes. This partnership will provide our student-athletes and our department with access to world-renowned care and state-of-the-art technology and facilities. The care our student-athletes receive from Cleveland Clinic is unmatched in the college sports world, and we aim to graduate our student-athletes boldly prepared and winning for life after sports.”
This new partnership will allow student-athletes to easily manage the scheduling of all imaging, emergency room and urgent care needs, as well as specialty and sub-specialty care outside the purview of their team physician. Additionally, student-athletes will be provided with baseline and post-concussion testing for concussion injuries.
Beyond sports medicine, Cleveland Clinic will provide mental health services to student-athletes through its sport and performance psychologists. Additionally, Cleveland Clinic will provide continuing education for all Kent State athletic trainers and physicians. Faculty-led CPR and professional rescue training will be provided throughout the summer during the affiliation.
Kent State University’s Board of Trustees approved the university’s newest affiliation with Cleveland Clinic at its May 2024 meeting. Cleveland Clinic began providing sports medicine services to the university on July 1.
Media Contact:
Kent State University: Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Cleveland Clinic: Grant Passel, passelg@kent.edu, 216-386-5615
