Even though the Ravens put their 13th and 14th players on the Injured Reserve this week, the team doesn't have to worry about its medical care in the near future.
Wideout Demetrius Williams is lost for the season when a bone spur was detected under his Achilles tendon. Cornerback Derrick Martin's shoulder landed him on the list on Thursday.
And, cornerback Chris McAlister is awaiting results from a second opinion on his sore knee.
With a five-year renewal with MedStar Health that was announced Wednesday, the Ravens believe they have the best health services around, and they know how important that care is.
"The Ravens are dedicated to winning in a first class manner," said Ravens president Dick Cass. "To support this effort, we are determined to provide our team with the finest facilities, equipment and personnel.
"We also want the best sports medicine for our players and staff, and that's why we have a partnership with MedStar Health and Union Memorial Hospital."
Baltimore has been associated with MedStar since 2004, and the relationship includes team medical care, game day health services at the stadium, co-branding rights and other partnership opportunities.
Led by Dr. Andrew Tucker from MedStar SportsHealth, the Ravens have a squad of physicians that work diligently to ensure the players and staff members are taken care of. That group includes Dr. Leigh Ann Curl, Dr. Les Matthews, Dr. Richard Hinton and Dr. Richard Levine.
"It was very important to our players and their good health that we maintained our union with MedStar Health," Cass continued.
Such attentive care was especially shown in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, when safety Dawan Landry took a knee to the helmet and had to be carted off the field with what was later diagnosed as a spinal cord concussion.
Despite the potentially dire scenario, Landry worked with the Ravens' medical team and will likely see a return to the football field this season.
"The Ravens' doctors have done a great job with the injury," Landry said. "I'm just trying to rehab and take it one day at a time. I'm hoping I can get back out there."
Another aspect of the renewal is the commitment to the community both organizations share.
Players, coaches and staff members – through the Ravens All Community Team (RATC) – paired with MedStar to build a playground on a once trash-littered area of Collington Square Elementary in East Baltimore. The mission, coordinated through the non-profit KaBOOM!, was completed in a day.
There have been some long-term projects, as well. Tight end Daniel Wilcox and MedStar have joined to encourage men to get regular prostate exams.
Todd Heap pledged $1 million to Franklin Square Hospital Center to support a new Pediatric Center as part of a seven-story patient care tower. The development will be renamed the Todd Heap Family Pediatric Center.
And MedStar Health is even donating $500 to the RATC every time Baltimore drops a punt inside the 20-yard line, something Sam Koch has done 11 times this year.
"The partnership has grown so much over the first five years," said Ravens vice president of national partnerships and sales Kevin Rochlitz. "There is a lot of respect between each organization, so there was no way we weren't getting this done. In a lot of ways, we're building in the community."
As the Ravens try to get through the season with a minimal amount of injuries, not to mention continue their involvement in the community, the team is happy to have the stability of MedStar Health behind them.
"In this region, they are the best and our team relies on them for our most vital medical services," said Cass.
