MEME MANIA

I have really embraced memes.  They express my sarcasm in ways that I cannot always show appropriately or accurately.  As I am finishing up my "Christmas Break" and looking at my Spring calendar, my imagination ran wild!  Enjoy!

Pre-Wrap

I don't know why this is so funny to me!!!!!

Athletic Trainers are Geniuses!!!!!!

www.goodreads.com

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

― Albert Einstein

Many times, coaches and other staff find their way to a treatment table in my athletic training room...I can't count how many younger siblings I treat of formally injured athletes...and how many neighbors and neighbors' children have I evaluated for various injuries?  

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.” ― George MacDonald

However,  if I tried to build a house, sail a boat, or even update my iPhone, I would appear dumb and, at the very least, inexperienced.  

People seek the advice of an athletic trainer because of the education and experience that an athletic trainer possesses.  Just as I would seek a builder if I wanted a new home...or ask  one of my cool uncles to take me out on their sailboat if I wanted to go sailing...or ask Josh to update my iPhone when it goes haywire, I go to the expert, the person that I feel is going to give me the most quality solution to my questions.  

As the profession and perception of athletic training evolves, there are a few questions that one should ask themselves.  Answering these questions will certainly define your role and show your expertise, not only to yourself and co-workers, but also to your stakeholders.

• What does our public value and how do we, as athletic trainers, cater to that?
• Athletic trainers must justify our value and tell the public why we are valuable.
• The appearance of disorganization is devastating to the public view.
• Too many people still think of ATs as ‘good ole boys’; These people do not know our capabilities.  We must inform them.  Give yourself credibility!  
• Define your individual function.  Define your overall purpose.  Perform your function in a way that serves that purpose.  
• You are the smartest person in your athletic training room.  Prove it.  

― A personal reflection of a lecture from Danny Lovett

Athletic trainers are geniuses in the athletic training room and whether you realize it or not, people know that!  

BISD Physical Day

Bryan ISD hosted the annual 'Physical Day' last Saturday and in doing so, we did something that we have never done before!  We offered FREE immunizations and $15 ECGs!!!  

The immunizations were provided by the Texas A&M Health Science Center in what they call the Health Circus.  The Health Circus offers a wide range of services, including glucose checks, dental screenings and they even have door prizes!  I saw several young children who had received brand new bike helmets!!!!

The ECGs were offered by The Cypress ECG Project.  We had around 60 people take advantage of this amazing opportunity!  We anticipate that more people will participate next year with increased awareness.  

Below is the flyer that I made for the event.  I used easel.ly to make it (It was kinda hard to get used to but once you know your tools, its 'easy' to make a catchy poster!).  Also, Mrs. Brewer in our Art Department had them printed on their large printers!!!!

We did over 100 more physicals this year than we did last year.  A big thank you to Sandy Farris, BISD's Communications Director, for helping us to promote the event!  Also, we had many physicians, including Dr. Gill, Dr. Distefano, Dr. Barrow, and Dr. Seabolt who gave up their Saturday to make this a success!  Coaches from the middle schools and both high schools aided in vital ways as well.  Not to mention the graduate assistants who gained valuable experience in the process!

Well this is what my Saturday consisted of.  If you are hosting a similar event at your school, I hope that you are successful.  I also would like to suggest to you to seek out the opportunities available to you that would enhance your athletes' health and safety.  Some of our athletes were recommended to have a cardiac screen due to the findings on their PPE.  Since we offered the ECGs onsite, we were able to 'knock that out' with minimal cost and without a trip out of town to a pediatric cardiologist!

If you would like to know more about how all of this was coordinated, please email me!

What have you been up to?

The Bryan ISD athletic trainers have been busy this semester!  The team of 4 athletic trainers have worked to improve awareness about the athletic training profession and also re-evaluate the current policies and procedures that are in place to keep Bryan ISD athletes safe and healthy!  Here is a review of some of the efforts that we accomplished this year:

• Developed the Bryan ISD Athletic Health Care Team, members include:
• The head athletic trainers from both high schools in Bryan ISD, Josh Woodall and myself
• Athletic Director, Harry Francis
• Bryan ISD Lead Nurse, Sherri Meckel
• Bryan ISD Junior High Nurse Liaison, Alice Walker
• Bryan ISD Executive Director of Support Services, Grady Slaydon
• Team Physician, Dr. Kory Gill
• Nutrition Liaison, Dr. Randi Boleman

• Hosted a Town Hall Meeting



Photo from KBTX.com

• Provided a chance for athletes, parents and any member of the community to learn about the risks and benefits of sport, what health and safety precautions are put in place for the athletes at Bryan ISD and what serious illness and injuries parents need to be on the look out for!  A Q&A session  was also provided.  Local media covered the event, thanks to Sandy Farris, Bryan ISD's Communications Director.  

• Re-developed the Sports Medicine Manual-Some updates include:
• Baseline Peak Flow Meter Readings for asthmatics
• EMS surveys for after emergencies [Some other great tips are included in the latest NATA News-5 Ways to Foster Better Relationships with your EMS Teammates, page 36]
• EAPs for when BISD venues are reserved by outside organizations

• In addition to the discounted ($10) PPEs that BISD offers, we are also offering:
• Free vaccinations - Brought to our attention by Dr. Kory Gill and made possible by the TAMU Health Science Center-Health Circus
• $15 Electrocardiograms - Josh Woodall did the leg work to get the Cypress ECG Project to provide the amazing service!
• All of this will be available on Saturday, May 18th at the BHS Silver Cafeteria.  Doors open at 9:00 am and close at noon.

• Safe Sports School Award
• Josh and I applied for, and will be receiving, the Safe Sport School Award through the NATA!  

Photo from www.athletictrainers.org

• Met with Physicians that are not Team Doctors
• This provided a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves and inform physicians about the resources that athletes have at Bryan ISD.  The information was well received!!!

• Talked with State Representatives



Photo from Wikimedia Commons

• We have also made a trip to Austin and will be making another on Wednesday.  The last trip we took provided an opportunity to talk with representatives about SB 505.  You can find out who represents you by going here.  Once you locate your representative, give them a call and let them know that you want them to support SB 505!  For more information on SB 505, go here.  

I hope that you are as excited about your profession as we are!  If each of us makes a difference in our own workplace, imagine the change that would be made in the profession as a whole.  If you have any questions about the opportunities listed above, do not hesitate to email Josh or myself!  We would love to collaborate with you!!!

The Greatest Compliment

What does a compliment sound like to you?

Is it a simple, "Thanks."? 

Compliments lurk all around, you just may not recognize them!!!  I have come up with some of my favorite compliments, from students, staff and parents:

"Have a good day."

"Ope! Let me get my trash."

"Mrs. Woodall, man, she don't play!"

"Mrs. Woodall, am I too late for treatment?"

"Humph! I never knew that."

"How did you know to ask me that question?"

"Can I wait in here for my ride?"

"I'm going to the front office, do you need anything while I'm up there?"

"I brought you a sweet tea with no ice from Chichen Express!"

"Thank you for calling me about my child's injury."

All of these examples sound like someone who has thought about something that I did and chose to take the next step in building a relationship.  They are all things that do not have to be said, but because they were, it put a smile on my face...even if only in secret...cause Mrs. Woodall don't play!

But what is the greatest compliment that can be given an athletic trainer that shows the utmost gratitude?  Is it: 

When an athlete casually says, "I could be an athletic trainer!"  after merely cutting off his ankle tape?  

or...

When students, who have had no athletic experience, wander into your facility and try to stay as long as they can, for no good reason.

or...

When several athletes who have been treated for injuries at the same time can say, in unison, what the treatment for a new injury is..."Ice it."

Nah!  I believe that the greatest showing of appreciation and gratitude is this:

When one of the athletes that had received long-term care in your facility, decides to go into the athletic training profession.

This made my heart happy :)

Athletic Trainer Infographic