Master of Athletic Training Program
Join Eliza MacDonald in 4402 Kindschi Hall of Science on the Allendale Campus, RSVP is required.
Questions can be sent to us at [email protected].
Students Selected to Present Free Communication Posters at GLATA
Lacey Jajko mentored by Shari Bartz-Smith PhD, AT, ATC. Lacey will be doing a Free Communication Poster Presentation titled “Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow in a High School Football Player: A Case Report”. This presentation is a review of a case concerning a male high school football player who presented with loose bodies from osteochondritis dissecans in his elbow. He was diagnosed five years ago with this condition, but without any apparent mechanism, the bodies became loose and limited his elbow extension. He underwent surgery to remove these prohibiting pieces and has since been able to return to play but with still slightly limited elbow extension.
Austyn Kraft mentored by Shari Bartz-Smith PhD, AT, ATC. Austyn will be doing a Free Communication Poster titled "Medial Patella Femoral Ligament Tear with a Lateral Patella Dislocation: Level 4 Rare Events Case Study" Her presentation is about a freshman football player who tore his medial patella femoral ligament a year ago and underwent surgery to repair it before being allowed for full sports activity. However, the graft was retorn when the patella subluxed during a beginning-of-the-season football game.
Jessica Padilla mentored by Shari Bartz-Smith PhD, AT, ATC. Jessica will be doing a Free Communication Poster Presentation titled “UCL Acute Injury in a 16-year-old High School Football Player: Level 4 Rare Events CASE Study”. This presentation follows an injury case of a football player while highlighting the evaluation and diagnostic processes, as well as the importance of the differential diagnosis.
Ashley Stroop, mentored by Shari Bartz-Smith PhD, AT, ATC. Ashley will be doing a Free Communication Poster Presentation and Oral Presentation titled "Avascular Necrosis of Bilateral Distal Femurs and Proximal Tibias in a 16-year-old Male: Level 4 Rare Events CASE Study". Her presentation is about a rare events case study of a 16-year-old high school cross-country athlete diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis in his distal femurs and proximal tibias.
Valerie Vandertol, mentored by Shari Bartz-Smith PhD, AT, ATC. Valerie will be doing a Free Communication Poster Presentation titled "Transverse Fibular Stress Fracture in 17-year-old Male Football Player: Level 4 Rare Events CASE Study". This presentation is about a football player who was diagnosed with an isolated transverse fibular fracture. Isolated fractures can take up to 12 weeks for return to play, this case took 19 weeks. Not all injuries follow typical mechanisms, guidelines, or return-to-play timelines, therefore compliance with follow-up visits is extremely important for a timely return.
Anja Whitehouse mentored by Shari Bartz-Smith PhD, AT, ATC. Anja will be doing a Free Communication Poster Presentation titled "Scapular Spine Fracture in a Seventeen-Year-Old Female Basketball Player: Level 4 Rare Events CASE Study". This presentation details a scapular spine fracture that occurred in a high school basketball player and the uniqueness of the condition. This presentation discusses the events leading up to the diagnosis, ideas for future treatment of the condition, and informs viewers of the importance of continuity of care.
Athletic Trainers Are...
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association defines athletic trainers as highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals specifically trained in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical conditions and emergent, acute and chronic injuries.
The 5 Domains of athletic training include: Risk Management, Wellness and Health Literacy; Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis; Critical, Critical Incident Management; Therapeutic Intervention; and Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility
For more information about what an Athletic Trainer is, please visit the BOC, NATA, and/or AT Your Own Risk
Career Options
Certified athletic trainers can be found almost anywhere people are physically active. Examples of employment settings include:
- Colleges and Universities
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Industrial and Commercial
- Military
- Performing Arts
- Professional Sports
- Public Safety
- Secondary Schools
GVSU Athletic Training Program Mission
The mission of the Grand Valley State University Athletic Training Program is to prepare professionals to enhance the quality of health care for athletes and the physically active. Preparation is supported by formal instruction, clinical experience, and research.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The Grand Valley State University Athletic Training Program is a CAATE accredited program that is
GVSU MAT Program Location
The MAT Program is part of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. The MAT Faculty offices can be found on the second floor of Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS). All MAT program coursework is located at the Health Campus on the Medical Mile in Grand Rapids, MI. The health campus is comprised of CHS and Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (watch the video on the right for a virtual tour of DCIH). Students pursuing the combined degree will have their undergraduate coursework on the Allendale Campus as they complete their Clinical Exercise Science Degree. Once a combined degree student starts their MAT coursework, they will be moved to downtown Grand Rapids Health Campus.
Athletic Training Alumni
Athletic Training Alumn - Kierra Washington
Athletic Training Alumn - Samantha Kaspala