Dr. Edward D. Field Honored with Spirit of Northwest Award
Senatobia, MS (02/10/2025) — Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation named Dr. Ed Field of Oxford the Spirit of Northwest Award and he will be honored at the Northwest Soiree Masquerade Among the Stars on March 29, 2025.
Dr. Field, a native Mississippian and former high school and college athlete, has been a huge supporter of Northwest Athletics for 30 years. Dr. Field is an orthopedic surgeon at Specialty Orthopedic Group with an expertise in sports medicine and is known throughout the state and the Southeast for his skill. He has won awards for his care and excellence in the field including Ole Miss Sports Medicine Award, Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association Sports Medicine Person of the Year and Mississippi Valley State University Commitment of Excellence Award.
Dr. Field serves multiple high schools, universities, and community colleges aside from Northwest.
His colleague and another team doctor, Dr. Charles Hill, said that Dr. Field loves and shows up for the Rangers whenever he can.
"He's the best sports medicine doctor around, and he's the most loyal doctor that I've ever seen when it comes to sports medicine and taking care of athletes and making sure that athletes are number one and that their needs are taken care of, their feelings are taken care of, and things like that," said Dr. Hill. "The day that he stops doing that, it's going to be a sad day."
In 1995, Dr. Field met with former Northwest President, Dr. David Haraway, Athletic Director Jimmy Miles and Head Football Coach Bobby Ray Franklin. They offered him the job as Team Physician for the Northwest Rangers. Over the last 30 years, it has been his privilege and passion to serve the needs of Northwest Mississippi Community College athletes.
Dr. Field praised the Northwest staff, administration and coaches for their support and communication.
"And it's helpful to us because in order to deliver leading edge care to these student athletes at Northwest, communications have got to be great," Dr. Field said. "Northwest has two wonderful athletic trainers, Justin Ware and Taylor Young. I talk to them every day. We're talking about student athlete injuries, the medicines we're giving them, the treatment that we're applying to them, and when they're going to be back in the game. I also talk to the coaches two to three times a week."
Dr. Field said the whole coaching staff has been such an important part of his Northwest journey. He said that getting to work with the coaches and also Northwest President, Dr. Michael Heindl, has been a fun experience. He states that Dr. Heindl's leadership means a lot to him.
"I've never come in contact with Dr. Field when he didn't have a smile on his face and showing his true Ranger spirit," said Patti Gordon, executive director of Institutional Advancement. "You can see the love he has for Northwest just by being around him. We are honored to celebrate him with the Spirit of Northwest Award at the 2025 Northwest Soiree."
Dr. Field said he felt honored to be receiving this award for serving the Northwest Rangers.
If you'd like to learn more about Northwest, the Foundation, or the Northwest Soiree, please visit northwestms.edu/foundation. Soiree tickets are on sale now at heindlcenter.org.