Lake Charles Memorial Health System and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Partner to Launch Tactical Sports Medicine Program for Deputies

Lake Charles Memorial Health System (LCMHS) and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) have partnered to launch a Tactical Sports Medicine Program, placing a dedicated Lake Charles Memorial certified athletic trainer full time within the Sheriff’s Office to support the health, physical readiness and recovery of the CPSO employees.

The program will provide the CPSO with on-site access to injury evaluation, early intervention, rehabilitation, injury prevention and physical readiness support. The athletic trainer will also help connect employees with additional medical services when a higher level of care is needed.

Law enforcement work can involve repetitive strain, prolonged activity and sudden, high-intensity situations. Tactical sports medicine adapts many of the same principles used in traditional athletic settings to the realities of that work, helping officers stay healthy, recover safely and remain ready to serve.

 “Our deputies here at CPSO face physical on the job demands every day, and it is important to ensure they have access to the best resources possible to keep them healthy and ready for duty,” stated Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Gary “Stitch” Guillory.  “This partnership with LCMHS allows our deputies direct access to a certified athletic trainer who will understand the demands of law enforcement.  Similar programs in law enforcement have shown that this type of care can significantly reduce lost workdays and lower the costs associated with work-related injuries.  I believe this program will save us money in the long run, as well as allow us to invest in our deputies by providing them with specialized care to help them stay healthy throughout their careers here at CPSO.”

The Tactical Sports Medicine Program builds on LCMHS’s established sports medicine program and longstanding partnerships throughout the region. For decades, Memorial athletic trainers have worked alongside Calcasieu Parish high schools, coaches and student-athletes to provide injury prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation.

“Memorial is proud to partner with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office on this initiative. We recognize the important work of CPSO deputies, and this partnership will provide meaningful support for their health, recovery and physical readiness,” said Devon Hyde, President and CEO of Lake Charles Memorial Health System. “The missions of LCMHS and CPSO share a common commitment to serving and strengthening our community, making this program a natural extension of the work we already do throughout Southwest Louisiana.”

By bringing Memorial’s sports medicine expertise directly into the CPSO work environment, the program allows the athletic trainer to better understand the day-to-day physical demands of law enforcement while providing consistent, accessible support to the people who serve Calcasieu Parish.  The model is also designed to encourage earlier intervention, support employees’ safe return to work and help make efficient use of healthcare and public safety resources.