The document outlines a proposal to improve healthcare services for Rutgers University student athletes. It identifies needs through research and meetings with Athletics, and compares Rutgers' sports medicine to peer institutions. Recommendations were developed using other universities' strengths to address Rutgers' needs. The proposal was reviewed and approved by Rutgers and RWJUH leadership to enhance student athlete health outcomes.

1. • Develop a proposal to improve
accessibility to quality healthcare services
for student athletes.
• Improve the current state of Rutgers
University Sports Medicine Department.
• Student athletes experience increased
risks of physical and mental health issues.
• There are approximately 12,500 injures
per year amongst student athletes.
• Approximately one out of four NCAA
Division I student athletes show signs of
“clinically relevant” depressive
symptoms.
• Conducted online research to identify the
needs of Rutgers Sports Medicine.
• Held meetings with Rutgers Athletics to
identify the needs of Rutgers Sports
Medicine.
• Identified how Rutgers Sports Medicine
compares to its BIG10 counterparts.
• Used the strengths of other BIG10 sports
medicine departments to formulate
recommendations.
I would like to thank my preceptor, Dr.
Joseph Barone, for his guidance, and
Professor Anita Franzione for all her help
throughout my internship.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• The Chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical
and Health Sciences and the CEO of
RWJUH have reviewed and approved the
proposal.
• The effectiveness of this proposal is based
on its approval by Rutgers and RWJUH
senior leadership.
EVALUATIONS
OUTCOMES
PURPOSE
SIGNIFICANCE
METHODOLOGY
Background by Pixabay user StockSnap
Photo of wrestlers by John Sachs
Creative Commons licensed photo from Google Image Search:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Bishop_Loughlin_Games_-_Armory_-
_Track_%26_Field_(11609407975).jpg
References: http://bit.ly/1NEvDWw
A comprehensive proposal that analyzes the
needs of the sports medicine department was
developed.
A detailed budget with risk assessment was
created.
Recommendations that address the needs of
Rutgers Sports Medicine were developed.
Improving Accessibility to Quality Healthcare Services
for Rutgers Student Athletes
Chiamaka Akunne
Dr. Joseph Barone, MD, MBA