ACL Injuries: What Are We Doing?

Unfortunately, NOT ENOUGH. None of us are. We must do better. Whether we are a coach, an athletic trainer, a parent, or an athlete. We all must do better. Too many of these injuries are occurring and too many of them can be prevented. But they aren’t. They are occurring daily. Female athletes suffer more ACL injuries than their male counterparts and the numbers are alarming. Even more alarming is the fact that those who tear their ACL are at a much higher risk of either re-tearing that same ACL or tearing the ACL in the opposite knee.

NATA 2015– What’s Your Reason

This week the NATA’s national convention will be in St. Louis. I will head there on Tuesday and this will be my third time attending the national convention, second time in St. Louis. That’s not bad considering this is my 5th year in the profession. 3 of 5 isn’t terrible! But, why do people attend convention?

Has “Professionalism” Gone Too Far In Healthcare?

I asked this question tonight on Twitter. “Healthcare people, think about this: who do patients tend to like better… The doctors or the nurses? Why??”

What do you think that answer is? Who is it that patients and their families often comment positively about? My guess it’s not the doctor.

Be Prepared

Be Prepared– A motto that the Boy Scouts introduced. And a concept that Athletic Trainers practice.

Be Prepared. For what? ANYTHING. Athletic Trainers are prepared for just about anything. We take the time to prepare prior to a game or practice so that you can perform fully. We prepare for emergencies. We prepare for weather.

What Has the NATA Done?

This question was asked on Twitter this week. And it’s not the first time. I’m sure it won’t be the last time. But this is a question that irritates me. What has the professional organization done for an individual lately?

Inspiration to be an Athletic Trainer

I have a football coach who tells me all the time “I don’t know why anybody would want to be a (athletic) trainer. Y’all are always getting abused and working a ton for little pay!” Sometimes I think about that. Why do we do it? Why do we put up with coaches and parents always harassing us?

15 Reasons to Hire an Athletic Trainer

Sticking with the seemingly regular trend as we roll into 2015, I’m going to give you 15 reasons your school should hire an Athletic Trainer in the New Year…

Athletic Trainer’s Thanksgiving

I have many things to be thankful on this Thanksgiving. Way too many to truly name, but I’m going to certainly give it a shot!

• I’d be in trouble if I didn’t mention them first: my parents and my family. The support over the last few years while I have worked to build my career has been amazing. 
• The administration at Bishop Lynch High School for believing in me and giving me the ability to make the move to Texas to become their new Head Athletic Trainer this summer. The staff, parents, and kids for welcoming me into the Bishop Lynch community.
• My mentors over the years. The advice and encouragement has made me into the Athletic Trainer that I am today. They are there by my side when I need them the most!
• The #ATtalk and #AT4ALL Twitter family. We are creating change in sports safety. And we will not give up until we complete our mission!
• My wonderful assistant, Sarah, and team physician, Dr. Moore. They have made our first fall season as a staff a success! The three of us work together so well in order to achieve athlete safety for our Friar athletes.

Every Athlete Deserves an Athletic Trainer.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Injuries in sports are going to happen. There is nothing we can do to change them. We can simply work to prevent as many of them as we can while reducing the life-long effects of injury when they do occur. Unfortunately some injuries are catastrophic and may even lead to death. Additionally, catastrophic injuries can be the result of a missed symptom of a general medical condition. In this paper, the author will attempt to enlighten readers to a series of conditions known most frequently as sudden cardiac death. A specific emphasis will be placed on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) however sudden cardiac death and the controversy that surrounds the entire climate of testing and participation shall be examined.

To read the full paper, please click SuddenCardiacDeath.

What Does #AT4ALL Mean?

Simple question, but is there is a simple answer? Occasionally I get asked this question. What does #AT4ALL mean? To so many people, it can mean so many different things. I recently asked this question on Twitter and as of this writing, I only had one reply. And her reply was different than mine. Her reply was on a more global picture than my definition.