Service: Athletic Trainer
Optim Health System’s Athletic Trainers are proud to partner with many local and surrounding area high schools and colleges to provide full-time licensed/certified athletic trainers (ATs) and physician services throughout Southeast Georgia. As an extra level of protection, Optim Sports Medicine is the only provider in the Southeast who implements ImPACT concussion testing free of charge at every partnering school. Our athletic trainers are certified ImPACT trained athletic trainers (ITAT). Optim is also an official supporter of the STOP SPORTS Injuries Campaign. We’re also very proud to be the official sports medicine sponsors for Georgia Southern Athletics, Tormenta Soccer Club, and Savannah United Soccer.
What is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who work with physicians to offer preventative services, immediate emergency care, illness or injury services, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, and more. To become a certified athletic trainer, students are required to first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. However, the majority of certified athletic trainers earn a master’s degree. All students must pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification in order to become certified. Upon certification, and in order to remain certified, ATs have to complete ongoing education requirements and work under a physician. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.
Our ATs work to ensure student-athlete safety during practice and sporting events by providing preventive services, emergency intervention, rehabilitation, and referral services. Our ATs work collaboratively with physicians to maintain the safety of student-athletes at partnering local and surrounding area high schools and universities. Optim Sports Medicine stands apart because each of our AT’s ability to provide computer-based concussion testing when necessary.
National Athletic Trainer’s Association:
How to Become an Athletic Trainer:
Internship Request/Job Shadowing/Athletic Training Student Aide Request
Services Provided
- Injury Prevention
- Emergency Care
- Therapeutic Treatment and Rehabilitation
- ImPACT Testing
- Referrals
Awards
2019
- Georgia Athletic Trainers Association (GATA) Sports Medicine Person of the Year: Don G. Aaron, MD
- Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA) Healthcare Sponsor of the Year: Optim Sports Medicine
- National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Safe School Award: South Effingham High School
2020
- National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Safe School Award: Bulloch Academy
2021
- Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA) Jack C. Hughston, MD Sports Medicine Person of the Year: Don G. Aaron, MD
- Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA) High School Athletic Trainer of the Year: Katie Nabb, AT
- Georgia Athletic Trainers Association (GATA) Warren Morris Sports Medicine Person of the Year: M. Delan Gaines, MD
- Georgia Athletic Trainers Association (GATA) Jack C. Hughston Team Physician of the Year: David N. Palmer, MD
