LAKELAND, Fla. – Southeastern Athletics has taken a significant step forward in prioritizing the health and well-being of its student-athletes through its official partnership with Lakeland Regional Health, which began in the summer of 2025.
As part of the agreement, Lakeland Regional Health now serves as the primary healthcare provider for SEU Athletics, bringing expanded access to high-level medical care and strengthening the university's sports medicine infrastructure.
"We are pleased to partner with Southeastern University and support the health of their student-athletes," said Lakeland Regional Health Senior Vice President of Business Development and Chief Strategy Officer Patrick Phillips. "We are proud to contribute to the university by helping to keep their athletes safe and well."
The partnership was driven in large part by the collaboration between SEU leadership and LRH orthopedic specialists, including Dr. Eric Wicks and Dr. Colton Faza. Over the course of the past year, those efforts helped establish a comprehensive care model designed to support student-athletes through every stage of injury prevention, treatment, and recovery.
"Partnering with Lakeland Regional Health is a game-changer for Fire Athletics," said Director of Athletics, Drew Watson. "Having a world-class medical team integrated into our operations gives our student-athletes and their families incredible peace of mind. We are proud to collaborate with an organization that shares our vision for excellence and innovation in student-athlete care."
LRH's orthopedic team features physicians who specialize in specific areas of the body, allowing for a complete continuum of care regardless of the injury. Ongoing discussions between the two organizations include expanding into general medical services and increasing access to ambulatory surgical facilities, further elevating the level of care available to SEU student-athletes.
One of the most immediate impacts of the partnership has been the addition of a full-time certified athletic trainer on campus. This role has significantly increased day-to-day healthcare accessibility for student-athletes, while also enhancing coverage during team travel and competitions.
Lakeland Regional Health has also played a key role in event coverage, most notably serving as the leading medical provider for the American Bowl held on SEU's campus in January. Working alongside the SEU Sports Medicine staff, LRH delivered comprehensive care for the 4 days to future NFL Draft prospects participating in the event.
The partnership extends to game-day operations as well, with LRH providers regularly attending home and away football games to ensure a high level of medical readiness in the event of emergencies. Additional coverage across other sports is currently under discussion, reflecting a shared commitment to continued growth.
Beyond immediate care, the relationship is also creating opportunities for the future of sports medicine. Early conversations are underway to develop a fellowship program within LRH that would utilize SEU Athletics as a training site for physicians. Under the guidance of Dr. Wicks, this initiative would provide hands-on experience for medical professionals while further enhancing the care available to SEU student-athletes.
Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine BJ Geasa emphasized the impact the partnership has already made and the role it will continue to play moving forward.
"I have been impressed with the care our student-athletes have received this past year with LRH. Dr. Wicks and his associates, as well as the LRH system, have established themselves as a leading provider within Polk County, and we are blessed to have them working alongside us for the health and welfare of our athletic programs. I see this relationship as a foundational piece to continue the improvement of health care for Fire Athletics in the future."
