NCSU's Sports Medicine foundation is built around it's Athletic Trainers. Currently, 8 full time, licensed, certified Athletic Trainers, and 9 Graduate Students in Sports Medicine, are employed. All athletic trainers must earn a degree from an athletic training curriculum that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE), then pass a comprehensive test administered by the National Athletic Training Board of Certification (BOC). Certified Athletic Trainers are recognized as Allied Healthcare Practitioners by the American Medical Association. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.
All care for student athlete medical issues begin with the Athletic Trainers. They have specific training and knowledge for each sport allowing them to work closely with team physicians, coaches, strength/conditioning staff, and student athletes to design workouts that will improve their athletic ability. More importantly, Athletic Trainers are able to evaluate student athletes to identify conditions that may predispose them to injury then formulate and execute a plan to rectify the condition. Athletic Trainers are in a unique position to provide care as they have a solid relationship with student athletes before they ever have a medical issue. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of athletics. However, if an injury does occur, all team activities are medically superivised by our Athletic Trainers. They are able to see it happen, immediately provide acute care, formulate and execute a rehabilitation plan to quickly and safely return the student athlete to competition.
NCSU's Team Physicians are a vital cog in NCSU's Sports Medicine Program. They hold regular weekly clinics on campus as well as seeing student athletes in the office. They are constantly on call, and are dedicated to providing our student athletes with the best medical care possible. There are a host of physicians that willingly provide their services to the program, including orthopedic consultants and general practitioners.
To learn more about each member of NCSU's Sports Medicine Program please click on the appropriate link below.
