GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Sept 2, 2026 — As Calvin University student athletes return to campus for a new academic year, they have a new team supporting them. University of Michigan Health-West is now the sports medicine provider for Calvin Athletics.
The partnership brings UM Health-West sports medicine physicians and its comprehensive network of care to Calvin student athletes competing in NCAA and ACHA intercollegiate athletics. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) will serve as UM Health-West's orthopaedic partner, providing orthopaedic care, rehabilitation and physical therapy services. UM Health-West and OAM sports medicine experts will also provide medical coverage on the sidelines at Calvin men's football games.
For Edwin Kornoelje, D.O., medical director of sports medicine at UM Health-West, the partnership is also a homecoming. Kornoelje earned his undergraduate degree in exercise science from what was then Calvin College before beginning his career in medicine.
"Calvin is where my journey in sports medicine really began, so it's special to come back in this role and help care for today's student athletes," Kornoelje said. "Our goal is to keep athletes healthy, help them perform at their best and make sure they have access to the right care when an injury happens. Calvin has always placed an emphasis on caring for the whole person, and that fits very well with how we practice sports medicine at UM Health-West."
University of Michigan Health
That team approach extends to OAM, giving Calvin athletes access to orthopaedic expertise, physical therapy and rehabilitation when an injury requires additional care.
"When an athlete is injured, timely care and a strong rehabilitation plan can make all the difference," said Peter Theut, M.D., physician president of OAM and member of the OAM sports medicine team. "We're looking forward to working alongside UM Health-West to help Calvin athletes recover and safely get back to competition."
UM Health-West sports medicine has provided care to West Michigan athletes for 30 years. Its team includes physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers who work together on injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
The partnership builds on UM Health-West's extensive presence in West Michigan athletics. Its sports medicine team provides medical services for professional, collegiate and high school programs across the region, including the Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Rise, as well as numerous community races and athletic events.
"We want every Knight to know they have a strong team behind them, whether they're competing, training or recovering from an injury," said Dr. James Timmer, director of athletics at Calvin University. "UM Health-West shares our commitment to caring for the whole student-athlete. Their sports medicine expertise and broader network of care will bea tremendous resource for our athletes and coaches."
Calvin Athletics sponsors 23 men's and women's varsity sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, cross country, golf, tennis and lacrosse. Calvin also fields two ACHA men's hockey teams.
UM Health-West sports medicine provides care for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from collegiate and professional athletes to high school competitors and weekend warriors. Sports medicine care is available at seven UM Health-West neighborhood offices across the region.
About University of Michigan Health-West
University of Michigan Health-West is a nonprofit multispecialty medical provider relentlessly advancing health to serve West Michigan as part of the state's top-ranked health system. Founded in Grand Rapids in 1942 by a group of osteopathic doctors, we now serve more than 250,000 patients annually at 30 locations across four counties, including a 208-bed teaching hospital in Wyoming, Michigan. More than 61,000 emergency patients are treated each year at our hospital, a Verified Level II Trauma Center, certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and accredited Chest Pain Center.
In 2025, we earned Magnet® with Distinction designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center—placing us among the highest-performing hospitals nationwide for nursing excellence and patient outcomes. Our physician-led medical group, University of Michigan Health Partners, ensures excellence and convenient access to primary and specialty care, including the expertise of University of Michigan Health, consistently ranked among the nation's top academic medical centers. We're recognized for top grades in safety and quality and as a technology leader and inclusive employer of choice. We support the health and wellness of all in our community through free Live Healthyeducation programs and outreach clinics in underserved areas. Learn more at www.uofmhealthwest.org.
About Calvin University
Founded in 1876, Calvin University is a top-ranked, liberal arts institution that equips its 3,700 students from 50 U.S. states, 62 countries, and four Canadian provinces to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world.
Calvin offers 100+ majors and programs, including a growing portfolio of graduate-level offerings. Calvin students engage in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research that results in publishing and presenting alongside world-class faculty. The university's 400-acre campus is in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Discover more at www.calvin.edu.
About Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan
Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) is proud to be West Michigan's most established and comprehensive independent provider of musculoskeletal care. For more than 85 years, our physicians and care teams have delivered exceptional, individualized treatment to patients of all ages—from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery.
OAM brings together a team of board-certified orthopedic specialists, including experts in spine care, joint replacement, sports medicine, trauma, and more. With over 300 clinical and support staff, we offer a full continuum of services that includes physical and occupational therapy, cost-effective onsite imaging, orthopedic bracing, and a dedicated Bone Health Clinic. Patients also benefit from convenient access to the OAM Now Urgent Orthopaedic Care Clinic and the physician-led OAM Surgery Center at Midtowne— recognized for its clinical excellence, safety, and patient satisfaction.
At OAM, we are committed to restoring health and optimizing outcomes so patients can return to the activities they love - at home, at work, and at play. From neck to toe, and from traumatic injuries to chronic conditions, our coordinated care model ensures a smoother, faster recovery and a better overall experience. Learn more at www.oamichigan.com.
