Andrews Athlete Expands Focus on Athlete Safety
Dr. James R. Andrews, based in Alabama, is partnering with the consulting firm founded by Dr. Rod Walters, an inductee of the national Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. This acquisition is seen as a significant step in enhancing athlete safety.
The announcement was made by Andrews Athlete, initially co-founded by the esteemed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and Chad C. Henderson, who is the CEO and founder of Catalyst HealthSpan Enterprises. They have joined forces with Doug and William Sellers, marking a phase of substantial expansion for the organization.
Rod Walters is stepping into the role of National Director of Athlete Safety, bringing with him a history of leading prominent independent reviews. His work aims to revamp emergency action plans and set national accountability standards within the sporting community.
Walters has a resume that includes high-profile cases such as the 2018 death of Maryland football player Jordan McNair, the 2019 tragedy involving Braden Blood Force from Garden City Community College, and the investigation concerning a cluster of thyroid issues in Tufts University’s 2024 men’s lacrosse team.
Doug Sellers, the CEO of Andrews Athlete, commented on Walters’ expertise, describing him as having set the benchmark for emergency preparation in athletics.
He emphasized that with Walters joining the team, they will be surrounding themselves with experts such as Ron Courson, who directs health and performance at the University of Georgia, to ensure readiness for any emergency situations.
Dr. Andrews expressed his commitment to athlete safety, stating that his focus is on both preventing injuries and facilitating quick returns to the field when injuries do occur. He believes this new venture aims to create a comprehensive system that exceeds traditional clinical care, ensuring that athletes have the necessary resources for safety across all levels of sports.
As a member of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame and affiliated with the Andrews Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery, Andrews is looking to strengthen emergency preparedness from youth leagues to professional sporting programs.
There’s a growing emphasis in Alabama’s athletic scene on emergency readiness—covering everything from fever protocols to responses for sudden cardiac events and rehearsal of action plans. The Andrews Sports Medicine and ASMI centers are key local partners promoting student-athlete safety ahead of spring sports seasons. The alignment with Walters, Inc. aims to broaden Andrews Network’s training, auditing, and compliance reviews across the state.
Even after announcing his retirement from active surgical practice in 2024, Andrews remains a pivotal figure in sports medicine. His organization based in Birmingham is part of a national network, with the Andrews Institute located in Breeze, near the Gulf Coast.
Walters shared his enthusiasm for collaborating with Andrews Athlete, looking forward to utilizing an expanded platform to continue serving athletes effectively.
Essentially, Andrews Athlete, as a sister company to Andrews Medicine, extends Dr. Andrews’ legacy, focusing not just on healthcare delivery but also on elevating the entire structure of athletic departments. Both organizations are united under the belief that all athletes, whether emerging or seasoned professionals, deserve outstanding care.
