Idaho Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic

Clinic Beginnings

The seed for development of a sports medicine facility on the Idaho State University campus was planted in November of 1991 when Dr. Mick Mickelson, a local orthopedic surgeon, and Randy Hoffman, athletic director for ISU, approached Earl Christison, administrator at Pocatello Regional Medical Center, to propose the concept. Such a cooperative effort between the hospital, ISU, orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists made good sense for the community at large as well as for ISU. The idea quickly progressed into a formal agreement which was announced to the community in February of 1992.

Plans were made to begin quickly so that construction could continue during the winter with project completion scheduled for spring of 1993. However, since the facility was to be constructed on the university campus, approval from the State Board of Education was necessary in order to proceed. After a period of delays resulting from isolated resistance to the project, the Board finally gave its approval in June of 1993 in response to overwhelming community demonstrations of support. Without enough time before the winter season, ground breaking was postponed until April 14th of 1993.

Construction took place over the next 14 months with work progressing steadily throughout the winter and the following spring. The Sports and Orthopedic Center at ISU was opened for use with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 21, 1994. Saturday Clinic