Tag: Athletic Training Program

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GCU’s Sports Medicine Club members will assist Run to Fight

Article reposted from Grand Canyon University
Author: Karen Fernau

For the first time, members of Grand Canyon University’s Sports Medicine Club will be volunteering as first aid providers at the race, which is expected to draw more than 2,000 runners and walkers.

The Sports Medicine Club expects to have 40 volunteers at the seventh annual race to be held  March 11 at GCU. In previous years, the race was staffed by a smaller group of students.

Dr. David Mesman, club sponsor and College of Nursing and Health Care Professions athletic training faculty member, called the race a perfect match for students.

“It’s an event that we as athletic trainers naturally would cover,” he said. “Students will be able to use the practical skills they learn in the classroom at the race.”

A smiling runner gives a hearty Lopes Up.

Not only does Run to Fight offer an ideal learning laboratory — it also fits the club’s mission of giving back to the community.

GCU senior and club secretary, Travis Pasillas, appreciates the dual role.

“We are giving to a great cause and learning how big races are organized,” said Pasillas, an athletic training student from California.

Athletic training volunteers will assist runners with sports-related injuries and illnesses while working with nurses and nursing students as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Cancer Survivor’s Walk is a highlight of the Run to Fight event.

Sprains, strains, dehydration and heat-related illnesses are among common race ailments that students may help treat.

CiCi Chang, athletic training senior and club vice president, said the race offers students the rare opportunity to work with cancer survivors.

“It’s a population we normally don’t work with,” she said, “and are excited to be able to help them on race day.”

In six years, Run to Fight has raised $450,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and its research into cancer cures and for Children’s Cancer Network, a Chandler-based nonprofit that supports children and their families.

About the race

What: Seventh annual GCU Foundation Run to Fight Children’s Cancer

When: March 11, 7 a.m. for 10K, 7:45 a.m. 5K, 9 a.m. Cancer Survivors Walk

Where: GCU, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix

Cost: $30 for 5K and $40 for 10K through Feb. 28 and $35-45 through March 11. Cancer Survivors Walk is free.

Registration: Go to runtofightcancer.com.

Benefit: All proceeds are spent locally by Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Children’s Cancer Network.

Contact Karen Fernau at (602) 639-8344 or karen.fernau@gcu.edu.

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Gannon University Gains Accreditation

Students who came to Gannon University with hopes of becoming an athletic trainer can now rest easy knowing they will be able to graduate from an accredited program.
The department of sport and exercise science at Gannon was awarded accreditation for a master’s program in athletic training, following an unblemished site visit in January by the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
The program received the maximum period of accreditation, which is five years.
Prior to receiving this accreditation, the department of sport and exercise science had been enrolling students into a non-accredited athletic training program since fall 2014.
Gannon assured students that the athletic training program would earn its accreditation after the necessary steps required by CAATE were met.
Gannon, in particular, was found to have no areas of non-compliance in any of the standards, which ranged from administrative processes, faculty resources, student resources, student learning outcomes and their assessments.
Initially, the university conducted a yearlong self-study that evaluated 109 standards encompassing faculty support, curriculum design and other areas.
Following that, two site visitors came to review policies and procedures.
Gannon is now one of only three schools in Pennsylvania to be recognized by CAATE for having a professional and accredited master’s program for Athletic Training and the only school in the western part of the state.
The department of sport and exercise science will now also offer an accelerated post-bachelor option.
This allows students in the department to graduate in five years, in addition to receiving their master’s in athletic training and becoming eligible for the Board of Certification Exam (BOC).
The BOC exam is required for anyone who wants to become an athletic trainer.
“Students now have assurance they will be eligible for their national BOC exam,” Rebecca Mokris, the assistant professor of sport and exercise science and director of the athletic training program said.
“[This] places Gannon University in a prime position to offer exceptional learning experiences at a level consistent with the strategic vision of the professional field,” Mokris said.
Mokris, who holds a doctorate degree in education, also said this is a big step for the athletic training program at Gannon and it sets up those involved in this field of study for a bright future.
Allison Nolan, a student in the master’s program, said she is relieved that the accreditation finally came through.
“Its very exciting that we got accredited but it was slightly stressful because it was down to the wire for us second years,” Nolan said.
Nolan also said if the program wasn’t accredited, she wouldn’t be able to get certified as an athletic trainer.
“I would just have had a very expensive piece of paper hanging on my wall and not be able to use my degree,” Nolan said.
“But we passed with flying colors so we didn’t really have any doubt that we weren’t going to get accredited.”

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Athletic Training Program at Southern Miss Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The 2015-2016 academic year marks the 40th anniversary of the Athletic Training Program offered by The University of Sothern Mississippi’s School of Kinesiology.

In celebration, the Southern Miss Athletic Training Alumni Association will host a tailgate prior to the homecoming game Oct. 17 from 2-6 p.m. at Pride Field on the Hattiesburg Campus. All alumni of the program, professors and current athletic training students are welcome to attend. Admission is free.

“This tailgate is all about fellowship, food, and fun,” said Shawn Robinson, a 2009 alumna helping plan the anniversary tailgate. “Our hope is to bridge the gap between the past, present, and future alumni. We also aspire to assist the current students in the athletic training program in making valuable contacts.”

Before the tailgate, the Athletic Training Club is hosting the 20th annual Homecoming 5K at 8:30 a.m. at Pride Field.

“The 20th annual Homecoming 5K is our way to interact with some members of our community, while fundraising to send us to our biggest educational conference,” said Alex Pfefferle, senior athletic training major and president of the Athletic Training Club. “We enjoy putting on this run every year, and we are excited to have the support of the School of Kinesiology, alumni, friends, and family.”

Proceeds from the Homecoming 5K will benefit the Athletic Training Club and support students attending the Southeastern Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Athletic Training Student Symposium, where they will have an opportunity to learn and prepare for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification exam. The national certification exam is required to become a certified athletic trainer. The 2014-2015 graduating class boasts a 100 percent first time pass rate, surpassing the national average of 82 percent.

“I have only recently joined this great tradition but quickly recognized the rich history and tremendous importance of the Athletic Training Program at Southern Miss,” said Dr. Bill Holcomb, professor and director of athletic training. “Doc Harrington had a great vision over 40 years ago and brought in Jim Gallaspy to take the program forward.

“Today, the athletes in Mississippi are well cared for by the many graduates of this fine program. And now these graduates are giving back as preceptors who are helping us to educate future Mississippi certified athletic trainers. Homecoming will be a great day.”

The Athletic Training Program provides a challenging learning environment comprised of traditional classroom experiences, diverse clinical settings and emphasizes the importance of quality health care. Alumni from the athletic training program are employed at local and national orthopedic and physical therapy clinics, high schools, colleges and professional settings.

“As a graduate of the 2005 class, I attribute my professional successes to foundation characteristics of academic and clinical excellence, life-long learning, selfless service and unyielding perseverance that were instilled and nurtured during my years as an athletic training student at Southern Miss,” said Karen Sinclair, assistant professor of athletic training and women’s volleyball athletic trainer at Union University in Jackson, Tenn. “I am extremely grateful for the multi-disciplinary curriculum and the diversity of clinical experiences of my Southern Miss education.”

Robinson, a certified athletic trainer at Hattiesburg Clinic Sport Medicine, said the Athletic Training Program was three of the most difficult yet rewarding years of her life.

“The National Athletic Trainers’ Association was founded in 1950,” said Dr. Scott Piland, professor and director of the School of Kinesiology, also a certified athletic trainer. “I find it monumental that a degree awarding educational program was formed at Southern Miss within 25 years of the establishment of our guiding professional organization.

“Southern Miss faculty and staff anticipated the value of providing a standardized educational program to meet the rising requirements to enter the profession. It was quite visionary. That vision continues, as our program is the only one in Mississippi. As with each of our programs, the School of Kinesiology is looking forward to a Golden Future.”

To register for the 20th annual Homecoming 5K, visit www.usm.edu/kinesiology/homecoming-5k. For more information about the School of Kinesiology’s Athletic Training Program in The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Health, visit www.usm.edu/athletictraining.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.usm.edu/news/article/athletic-training-program-southern-miss-celebrates-40th-anniversary