Baptist Health & JOI Return for 10th Year

Sharks Continue Long-lasting Partnership with Official Medical Team & Sports Medicine Provider

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Sharks are proud to announce their continued partnership with two Jacksonville based champion brands. The official partnership with Baptist Health and Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (JOI) will continue for it’s 10th season as the official Medical Team and Sports Medicine provider of the two-time NAL Champion Jacksonville Sharks. Baptist Health & JOI have served as the official Medical Team and Sports Medicine provider of the Sharks since 2013. The quality of service and care that Baptist Health & JOI have provided has translated to a lot of success for the Jacksonville Sharks arena football team both on the turf and off. 

In 2019, the partnership was recognized by the National Arena League as the Sharks, Baptist and JOI were honored as the league’s best “Medical Team.” That same season the Sharks had a record year finishing with a 13-1 record and a NAL championship victory. Baptist Health & JOI not only assisted the Sharks inside the arena but outside as well by providing the team’s training camp physicals, medical treatment at their Jacksonville facilities, and providing the team’s trainer for the season.

Over their tenure with the Sharks Baptist Health & JOI have provided world-class team doctors including the locally celebrated Dr. Richard Stephen Lucie, MD (who recently passed away last year) and current official team doctor and surgeon of the Sharks Dr. Lance Snyder, MD. who oversees the Sharks orthopaedic surgeries and Dr. Colin Lacroix, MD. who serves as the head team physician.  

“Having a great medical partner makes a huge difference.  Players know that the Sharks have the best medical program in the league.  I’m not sure we could do what we do without JOI and Baptist Health.”  Said Team President and Owner Steve Curran.

Going into 2022, both Dr. Snyder & Dr. Lacroix will continue to lead the Sharks medical team as the Sharks have a full schedule this year that spans 14-regular season games including seven home games in the Shark tank. The efforts & expertise Baptist Health & JOI provide the Jacksonville Sharks athletes and coaches will continue to give the Sharks a league leading advantage in sports medicine as the Jacksonville Sharks compete for their third National Arena League championship title in five years. The team’s season opener kicks off in upstate New York against the Albany Empire on April 23rd. The Sharks home opener is set for Saturday, April 30th against league rival the Columbus Lions in downtown Jacksonville at the Vyster Memorial Arena. 

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all their home games at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Nation Memberships for the 2022 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.

About Baptist Health

Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL Baptist Health is a faith-based, non-profit health system comprising six hospitals as well as more than 50 primary care offices throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. It is also the home of Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital at Baptist Medical Center in downtown Jacksonville. For more information about Baptist Health visit www.baptistjax.com .

About Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute 

The official sports medicine provider for the Jacksonville Sharks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville Armada, Jacksonville University, and Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ). JOI is a premiere provider of orthopaedic care with over 30 experienced, board certified physicians. To learn more about JOI visit: joionline.net