Bloomington, Indiana – IU Athletics Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andy Hipskind was honored with the IU Distinguished Service Medal Monday night, recognizing his nearly two decades of extraordinary contributions to the IU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten presented Hipskind with the award, which honors individuals for "sustained distinction in their administrative work at Indiana University over an extended period time." Hipskind, who joined the IU Athletics team 19 years ago and was named the department's first-ever Chief Medical Officer in 2014, is just the 45th recipient of the award, which was introduced in 2010.
In addition to being recognized by the university, Hipskind was also honored by IU Athletics Monday. IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson ;announced that the IU Athletics Chief Medical Officer Physician's Office is being renamed in Hipkind's honor. The Dr. Andy S. Hipskind Chief Medical Officer Physician's Office is located in the Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology in the IU Athletics Excellence Academy.
"Andy's contributions to IU Athletics are impossible to adequately quantify," Dolson said. "In addition to being among the very best in the medical profession, he has a deep-rooted love and care for IU Athletics and our student-athletes. Whether it is the care that he shows individual student-athletes as they battle back from an injury, or the leadership he has shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Andy is the absolute best at what he does."
A Bloomington native, Hipskind's relationship with IU Athletics started when he was a student-athlete for IU's cross country and track and field programs, where he competed for legendary IU Coach Sam Bell. He graduated from IU in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in biology, and earned his M.D. from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999.After completing a family practice residency in South Bend, Ind., and a sports medicine fellowship in Philadelphia, Hipskind returned to IU Athletics in 2003 as IU's Director of Sports Medicine and IU Football's team physician. In 2014 he was named Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Sports Performance as well as IU's first-ever Chief Medical Officer.
Throughout his tenure as the Chief Medical Officer, IU's Sports Medicine Department has experienced tremendous growth under his leadership. New staff positions and services were added and developed to ensure student-athletes receive the most comprehensive medical care during their time at Indiana University. These additions include an expanded sport nutrition professional staff, developing an in-house sport psychology program and aiding in the creation of the Elite Athlete Development Center. Dedicated to the overall well-being and development of student-athletes, Dr. Hipskind was instrumental in the Memorial Stadium South End Zone facility project and serves on the Excellence Academy Leadership team.
Most recently, Dr. Hipskind has guided IU Athletics through the COVID-19 pandemic. He continues to provide medical oversight to the department's COVID-19 Operations team and serves on the medical advisory group, created to develop policies and procedures for the IU Athletics Department during the pandemic.
"IU Athletics, like the rest of society, has faced a constantly-evolving public health crisis like nothing we have ever faced before, and Andy has been the leader in enabling our department and our students to navigate these unforeseen and challenging times," IU Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Mattie White said. "His leadership, his guidance and his compassion are unrivaled."
"From the first day I joined the IU Football family, it was clear that our players were in great hands with Andy and his medical team," said Head Football Coach Tom Allen. "He is a critical component of our team and our success. I'm very happy to see him honored by not only our IU Athletics family, but the university as well. No one is more deserving."
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