2 Decade-Plus Partnership with Westminster University Has Seen Lots of Success
For more than two decades, the Westminster University athletic program has been quietly supported by a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team of sports medicine professionals, fostering a level of care that feels less like a clinical partnership and more like a family. Dr. Andrew Cooper, an orthopedic surgeon, Lauren Cooper, a sports medicine PA, and Monica Atherton, a Physical Therapist, are the boots on the ground, whose collective expertise ensures that the university’s athletes, and often the wider student body and faculty, can return to the activities they love.
The relationship, a 21-year commitment now partnered with Common Spirit’s Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake, is built on passion. Dr. Cooper’s personal interest in sports and Lauren Cooper’s own journey through a high school knee injury that required orthopedics were the catalysts that drew them to the field. This personal connection is a core value, as Dr. Cooper notes, “This isn’t just work. It’s kind of family.” Lauren Cooper echoes this sentiment, explaining that many athletes, coming from out of state or country, lack a network, allowing the medical team to become essential advocates and guides. Monica, who is employed by the hospital, holds PT clinic on campus two days a week.
The level of care is comprehensive, involving a multi-team approach of physicians, PAs, and physical therapists, all supported by the hospital. This collaborative structure is vital for managing the high volume of injuries that come with an athletic program. Physical Therapist Monica Atherton, who works part-time at the university, sees this dedication firsthand. The most common challenges she tackles are knee injuries, particularly ACL tears, prevalent in field sports like lacrosse and soccer.
In the face of long-term rehab—often nine months to a year for a major injury—the athletes’ attitudes are what make the work so rewarding. As Dr. Cooper and Lauren Cooper point out, Westminster’s Division II athletes are driven purely by a love for their sport, without the complications of NIL deals. This pure passion translates into high motivation. Monica Atherton’s philosophy for recovery is a patient-centered, criteria-based approach rather than a rigid, time-based one. “Rehab, healing is not linear. It’s gonna look a little bit more like a spiral,” she tells her athletes, helping them manage impatience by focusing on individual functional progress and setting clear expectations.
The team’s impact extends far beyond the playing field. They are seeing a growing number of non-student athletes who are high-level recreationalists—skiers, rock climbers, and mountaineers—reflecting the active Salt Lake City community. Furthermore, the partnership is closely tied to the region’s unique place in winter sports, serving athletes who are part of the US ski team and Winter Olympic contenders. Ultimately, the work is about more than winning; it’s about being “part of their journey,” with several former patients inspired to pursue medicine after their experiences with the team, continuing the legacy of healing and dedication.
