Athletic Training
Bridgewater College Athletic Training Students
Front Row (Left to Right): Frances Kies, Kellie Adams, Nicole Cook, Bethany Hansberger, Brittany Hansberger
Back Row (Left to Right): Liz Blender (JMU ATS), Rebecca Hirschhorn (JMU ATS), Taylor Waddell, T.J. Lilley, Kwadwo Donkor, Tyler Kelly
Bridgewater College students pursuing an athletic training degree are healthcare professionals who work collaboratively with physicians and other professionals to ensure safe and optimal participation.
Student athletic trainers ethically apply their education and abilities under their state practice act in the five domains of athletic training:
- Injury/Illness prevention and wellness protection
- Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
- Immediate and emergency care
- Treatment and rehabilitation
- Organizational and professional health and well-being (Role Delineation Study. 6th ed. Omaha, NE: Board of Certification; 2009)
The Bridgewater College athletic training staff has more than 70 years of cumulative professional experience in high schools, colleges, outpatient orthopedic clinics, medical sales, physician extenders and elite sports with the US Olympic Training Center and USA Wrestling Federation. This experience enables over 500 BC athletes to enjoy sophisticated and current treatments to be applied to their healthcare.
The Bridgewater College degree in athletic training is integrated; combining the healthcare of intercollegiate athletes with education of athletic training majors within the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited entry-level Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). Intertwining faculty and staff for enhanced healthcare outcomes through the implementation of evidence-based healthcare practices and practical applications for clinical education of the athletic training students, makes the BC program unique and efficient. Each of the professional staff works in some capacity with both educating students and caring for athletes.
Each year, the Bridgewater College athletic training staff is charged with providing nearly 5500 treatments (rehabilitation and otherwise) to the more than 500 intercollegiate athletes. Likewise, the athletic training faculty are preparing each senior class for Board of Certification (BOC) examination and placement following graduation. Success of our integrated athletic training degree program can be recognized in our positive outcomes for placing students, first-time success rate on the BOC examination (above the national average) and ensuring safe and speedy return of our athletes to competition.
