With health and safety as our top priority, this partnership with Dignity Health, fills a critical need for our community.”

John Croteau | Dysart Unified School District superintendent

Dysart’s four high schools now have extra support for student athletes thanks to a new partnership with Dignity Health to provide athletic training and sports medicine services.

The partnership launched in late August at Dysart, Shadow Ridge, Valley Vista and Willow Canyon high schools.

Dignity Health is now providing medical oversight for all district athletic trainers. The partnership includes employment of two of the four clinical athletic trainers in Dysart, and integrates three Dignity Health physicians as team doctors for high school athletics.

The agreement includes an education component, which includes annual training on the latest sports medicine and injury prevention, as well as support for career and technical education opportunities and professional development. Additional benefits include healthcare access for student athletes, including integrated care coordination, annual sports physicals and priority scheduling.

“Dysart is pleased to be able to offer such an exceptional level of care to our student athletes,” Superintendent John Croteau said. “With health and safety as our top priority, this partnership with Dignity Health, fills a critical need for our community.”

Dysart offers eighteen sport options at the high school level, including badminton, baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, flag football, football, golf, pom, sand volleyball, soccer, softball, spiritline, swim and dive, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.

Last year, Dysart student athletes earned 10 state championships, among other player of the year and first and second conference and region team honors. Competitive athletic classes are also offered in Dysart, where students participate in weight training, physical conditioning routines, and additional practice time to complement their sport of interest.

“We are very excited to partner with Dysart Unified School District and serve the communities of Surprise and El Mirage,” Dignity doctor Kareem Shaarawy said. “With our experience in professional, collegiate, and high school sports, we look forward to closely working with athletic trainers to provide comprehensive athletic healthcare and ensure the safety and well-being of every student-athlete.”