For student-athletes participating in spring sports, April is a busy month as teams prepare for their final championship tournaments before the end of the school year. This month, and throughout the school year and sports calendars, Lee Health athletic trainers work hard to ensure student-athletes stay safe, healthy, and ready to perform.
In partnership with The School District of Lee County, Lee Health athletic trainers cover the public high schools, providing expert care across five key domains of athletic training:
The program began in 2015 with three Lee Health athletic trainers and has grown to meet the needs of young athletes throughout our community. “We have 12 Lee Health athletic trainers, plus four employed by the school district, covering all 15 Lee County public high schools,” says Jessica Pasternack, MS, LAT, ATC, FMS, lead athletic trainer for Lee Health. “Each school has at least one athletic training room that we work out of to perform student-athlete evaluations and rehabilitation.”
While baseball, softball, tennis, track and field, and other spring sports are in full swing right now, sports are available to student-athletes throughout the school year. Jessica says schools can roster up to 39 teams if they have every sport and level represented at the school, which makes for a lot of games and practices.
“Having athletic trainers available to handle medical emergencies and manage recovery ensures athletes return to play (games or practice) when it is safe to do so, when they are physically and mentally ready,” Jessica says.
The most important goal of the athletic trainers is to ensure the safety and health of the athletes under their care. “Our athletic trainers are focused on helping student-athletes perform at their best while minimizing the risk of injury and supporting their long-term health and wellness,” Jessica adds.
The athletic training program is a vital offering from the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute, dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of our community. Our expert team proudly cares for student-athletes, helping them stay safe, build strength, and reach their full potential.
Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida’s major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee Health: Stronger, safer, ready to play; supporting student-athletes
Reporting by Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO of Lee Health / Naples Daily News
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