Magnolia Matters - 2018 Fall/Winter

From L to R: TomMoody, Brian Trautman, Rich Reeves, Michelle Gifford It’s officially fall! Crowds are filling the stadiums, and the smell of football is in the air. The players are running up and down the freshly painted fields, bands are perfecting their halftime shows, and cheerleaders are doing their routines to pump up the crowds. What you may or may not notice, though, are the few people on the sidelines tasked with managing the players’ safety and well-being during each contest. While all of the action is taking place on the field, athletic training professionals are making sure they are ready if an injury does occur. Tasked with providing both game and practice coverage, the athletic trainers are on-site to ensure that the players’ safety is a top priority. Oftentimes, they help apply tape, bandages, and braces before games, as protective devices to help with the prevention of injuries. They often play a role in developing training programs to help reduce the opportunities for injuries. If an injury does occur, they will manage the injury through on-site treatment at the field, make the necessary referral to the appropriate healthcare provider, and assist with return-to- play decisions. As a part of the Department of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Magnolia, four individuals are assigned to various schools in our region: TomMoody, Kossuth High School and Biggersville High School; Rich Reeves, Corinth High School; Brian Trautman, Alcorn Central High School and Tishomingo County High School; and Michelle Gifford helps with the follow-up care the players receive at the clinic. In addition to the care they provide on Friday nights, our athletic trainers provide more extensive treatment in the clinic when the need arises. They help with pre-season concussion testing in July, and coordinate annual sports physicals for area schools annually each March. Each of the athletic trainers also works closely with the Outpatient Rehabilitation staff, making sure that communication between the rehab team and the training staff regarding players and their injuries is comprehensive and detailed. This allows the athletic trainers to make the best decisions regarding the players’ safety. Keeping You IntheGame www.MRHC.org MAGNOLIA MATTERS 7