March marks National Athletic Training Month, a time to honor and recognize the contributions of our Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) at The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus. These dedicated professionals play an important role in ensuring athletes of all levels receive optimal care, keeping them healthy and actively engaged in their respective sports.

Who are Certified Athletic Trainers?

Certified Athletic Trainers are highly qualified healthcare professionals with a diverse skill set. They undergo training in accredited athletic training programs and are board-certified and licensed by state medical boards. ATCs are recognized by the American Medical Association, as well as the National Federation of State High School Association. The American Medical Association recommends an ATC to be in attendance at all school and sporting events. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of services, including:

Injury Prevention Education: ATCs educate athletes on injury prevention techniques, helping them stay safe and perform at their best.

Emergency Care: They are trained to provide immediate care in case of sports-related emergencies, ensuring swift and appropriate responses to injuries.

Clinical Diagnosis: ATCs possess diagnostic skills to assess and diagnose sports injuries accurately.

Therapeutic Intervention: They design and implement therapeutic interventions to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured athletes.

Collaborative Approach: ATCs work closely with other healthcare professionals, including physicians and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care to athletes.

Community Partnerships

St. Francis provides certified athletic trainers for area school district events and community sporting events. When an athlete is injured, the ATC is there to assess the injury and, if needed, expedite the athlete’s referral to an appropriate healthcare professional. Our athletic trainers are a big part of keeping athletes at local high schools and middle schools physically ready for competition. We have certified athletic trainers who work with athletes at nine Topeka schools.

·        Highland Park High School           

·        Topeka High School                        

·        Topeka West High School  

·        Chase Middle School             

·        Eisenhower Middle School    

·        French Middle School     

·        Jardine Middle School   

·        Landon Middle School            

·        Robinson Middle School               

Sports Performance, Personal Training and Injury Prevention Programs

St. Francis is now offering sports performance, personal training, and injury prevention programs at our outpatient therapy location at 801 SW Fairlawn Rd. These programs, conducted by our certified athletic trainers, are backed by the latest methods in sports medicine and strength conditioning. Whether catering to youth athletes, weekend warriors, or teams aiming for peak performance, our tailored programs ensure everyone competes at their best.  Summer sports performance camp schedules will be announced soon for athletes looking to elevate athletic performance and prevent injuries.

For more information on St. Francis's certified athletic trainers and sports medicine services, visit our sports medicine webpage at https://kutopeka.com/services/sports-medicine.  For additional information about our performance programs, please call 785-295-8025.