About Sports Medicine Northwest

Sports Medicine Northwest is a joint effort between Spencer Hospital and Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint and Sports Surgeons. Dr. Rick Wilkerson heads up our team as our medical director. Our staff consists of four Certified Athletic Trainers. We currently work with 17 high schools in Northwest Iowa, providing weekly visits and event coverage. Sports Medicine Northwest also provides free athletic injury evaluations to all area high school athletes on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am during the fall and winter sports seasons, in the Physical Therapy Dept. of Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint and Sports Surgeons.  Additionally, we are currently working with Buena Vista University's Athletic Training program to provide high school and clinical athletic training experiences to Buena Vista Student Athletic Trainers.

Meet the Athletic Trainers

		Jim Lonning, ATC, LAT Iowa State University ‘89 Jim provides athletic training services to Algona, Bishop Garrigan, Pocahontas Area, Twin River Valley, Pomeroy-Palmer and West Bend- Mallard High Schools
		Kevin Carlson, ATC, LAT Cameron University ‘93 Kevin provides athletic training services to Spencer, Ruthven - Ayrshire and Emmetsburg High Schools
		Mike Spetman, MS, ATC, LAT, CSCS Western Illinois - MS ‘05 Buena Vista University - BS ‘03 Mike provides athletic training services to Storm Lake, Storm Lake St. Mary’s, Alta, Sioux Central, Schaller Crestland, and Laurens-Marathon High Schools. He is also a clinical instructor for the Buena Vista University student athletic training program.
		Lindsay Finster, MA, ATC, LAT University of South Dakota – MA ‘08 Buena Vista University – BS ‘06 Lindsay provides Athletic Training services to Clay Central-Everly, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, South O’Brien, and Okoboji High Schools.
		Matt Morris, ATC, LAT Minnesota State University – Mankato – BS ‘08 Matt provides Athletic Training Services to Estherville Lincoln Central, Jackson County Central and Graettinger-Terril High Schools, and Iowa Lakes Community College.

Sports Medicine Northwest Mission

Sports Medicine Northwest is committed to providing a comprehensive sports medicine program to area high schools and communities. Sports Medicine Northwest strives to provide quality sports medicine services consisting of injury prevention as well as treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Sports Medicine Northwest's goal is to provide a safe playing environment while at the same time returning athletes to previous activity level as soon as possible. In addition, Sports Medicine Northwest will provide educational opportunities for coaches, athletes, parents, and the community. Overall, Sports Medicine Northwest is committed to provide a team oriented approach to enhance performance of the athlete.

We provide athletic training services to the following high schools: