Encore Rehabilitation, Inc. and Encore Sports Medicine are proud to celebrate March as National Athletic Training Month! We would like to say thank you to each of our Certified Athletic Trainers for all they do everyday to support safe and successful play!

In honor of National Athletic Training Month, here are four things to know about athletic trainers. **

1. They are healthcare professionals. Athletic Trainers work with individuals who are physically active or involved in sports participation through all stages of life. They prevent, treat and help rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries as well as sports and work-related illnesses and medical conditions. Athletic trainers abide by HIPAA and FERPA laws, and are recognized as allied health care professionals by the American Medical Association, Health Resources Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services.
   
2. The welfare of patients is their top priority. Athletic trainers work with patients to prevent injuries. If a patient is injured, they work with physicians to provide care and rehabilitate the patient back to life before the injury as fast and as safely as possible. Brain and spinal cord injuries and conditions such as heat illness can be life-threatening if not recognized and properly handled. Athletic trainers are there to immediately address emergencies.
   
3. Taping and ice is a small part of what athletic trainers do. Athletic trainers also coordinate and carry out injury prevention programs, prepare athletes for practices and games, communicate with physicians about injuries, help treat and rehabilitate injured players, help determine return to play for injured athletes, monitor environment and weather conditions, develop and execute emergency action plans and are first responders on the scene.
   
4. Education is a huge part of becoming an athletic trainer. Academic curriculum and clinical training for athletic trainers follow the medical model. They must have a minimum of a four-year degree from a CAATE-accredited program and be certified by the Board of Certification (BOC) through an exam. More than 70 percent of athletic trainers have surpassed the minimum requirement and have earned a master’s degree. By 2020, all CAATE-accredited programs will be offered at the master’s level only. Every two years, athletic trainers are required to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain their athletic training certification with the BOC.

For over 40 years, Encore Sports Medicine has provided care to athletes across Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Tennessee. We LOVE to see you move! Want to know move about our Sports Medicine programs? Visit our website for Sports Medicine Programs or call Gary Barfield at 404-933-4336.

**These tips are shared from the National Athletic Trainers Association website: https://www.nata.org/advocacy/public-relations/national-athletic-training-month

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Happy National Athletic Training Month to Melinda Wilson, ATC, Regional Sports Medicine Director with Encore Rehabilitation

Gary Zakutney, ATC, with Encore Sports Medicine

Encore Rehabilitation Recruiting is on the move!

Happy National Athletic Training Month to Eric Oehms!

Dr James Robinson and Encore Rehabilitation President Paul Henderson