What is your role at the hospital? What do you do on a daily basis?
I work as an athletic trainer on the Frisco campus. The athletic trainers serve as a physician extender role in the sports medicine clinical setting. We are able to examine and evaluate patients, act as a liaison between the physician and the patients, put together rehab programs for patients, fit DME and orthopedic braces, perform concussion testing and many other things.
 
My individual role here has been somewhat diverse. Along with the previously mentioned duties, I am also supporting the Fracture Clinic and the general orthopedic/rotating clinics with their daily athletic training needs. I am in charge of triage for the specialty hip clinic which occurs biweekly with Dr. Ellis and Dr. Podeszwa, and I also provide medical coverage for sporting events in the community.

What is an Athletic Trainer?
Generally speaking, an athletic trainer is a highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professional who collaborates with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Athletic trainer's must complete an undergraduate program as well as a master’s program in order to be eligible for their board of certification exam. Once the board exam is completed and passed, one must obtain licensure to practice in each individual state of employment based on jurisdiction. We must also complete continuing education in order to maintain certification status eligibility.

P.S. - March is National Athletic Training Month, so if you see an athletic trainer in your community, be sure to give them a shout out!
 
What led you to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children? How long have you worked here?
I moved from Wichita, KS to Plano, TX in February of 2018 when I accepted this job with the hospital. I was originally hired just to cover for another athletic trainer who was going to be out on maternity leave. After putting up with me for three months, they decided to keep me and I am looking forward to my growth with the institution!
 
What do you enjoy most about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children?
Getting to live out the mission of giving children back their childhood. As an athletic trainer at the sports medicine center, we get to see and treat kids who need orthopedic bracing or home exercise/rehab programs. Although some of our bracing techniques are intended to “shut kids down” from sports or activity for a short while, eventually, we are providing them with the resources they need in order to return to sports as well.
 
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I attend Orange Theory fitness classes most days of the week and I also take my dog on walks or to the dog park. I spend a lot of time traveling back and forth to Kansas since my family and my boyfriend still live there.
 
Three words to best describe you:
Outgoing, passionate, dependable
 
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I would probably be a zookeeper so I could work with the animals all day.
 
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Canyoning in Interlaken Switzerland… definitely YouTube it! And if you ever get the opportunity to try it, it’s a must!