The public is invited to two events to celebrate the opening of the new University of Iowa Sports Medicine Center during the Hawkeye's homecoming weekend October 9 and 10.

The UI Sports Medicine Center offers convenient access to the very best sports medicine options for athletes of all ages, from casual exercisers to intense college athletes. With its emphasis on orthopedics, sports medicine, imaging and rehabilitation services, the facility is also designed to meet the expanding needs of Iowans who want to maintain their mobility and enhance wellness through all stages of their lives.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 9, to dedicate the new building, known as the Institute for Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation, which houses UI Sports Medicine.

The second event is an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 10, where the public can tour the facility. Refreshments will be served.

The facility, located at 2701 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, is one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified buildings on the UI campus, a designation reserved for energy-efficient buildings. The new building is located off Mormon Trek Blvd., near the Roy G. Karro Hawkeye Hall of Fame building.

UI officials scheduled to speak at the ribbon-cutting event include:

• UI President Sally Mason
• UI Vice President for Medical Affairs Jean Robillard, MD
• UI Athletics Director Gary Barta
• Professor and head of the UI Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Joseph Buckwalter, MD
• Director of UI Sports Medicine Ned Amendola, MD

Refreshments will be served, and tours will be available after the ceremony. Free parking for the event will be available on site.

"After years of planning and preparation, we are excited to be opening this incredible facility," Amendola said. "The center is home to state-of-the-art clinical and rehabilitation facilities, and our team includes some of Iowa's finest sports medicine specialists: orthopaedic surgeons, primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, athletic trainers, rehabilitation therapists and researchers. These specialists will work together to create the best plan of care for each individual patient."

Athletes also will benefit from performance enhancement programs. All patients will have access to comprehensive rehabilitation services, including a hydrotherapy pool, custom orthotics, athletic shoewear modification and bracing, training aids, and rehabilitation accessories.

The 26,000-square-foot building cost $6 million to construct. The facility includes 16 examination rooms and four treatment rooms. Almost 7,500 square feet will be devoted to rehabilitation services, including the hydrotherapy pool. In addition, the facility houses other medical specialties, including children's injuries, and orthopedic subspecialty clinics devoted to treating disorders of the hand, shoulder, foot and ankle.

The proximity of surgical and medical clinics with rehabilitation facilities and comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic services underscores the center's multidisciplinary approach to sports medicine and will allow patients to have all their needs met under one roof.

For more information:

University of Iowa Sports Medicine Center

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