What is athletic training?

Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.

Who are Athletic Trainers?

Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes. Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer versus a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows a medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have master’s degrees.

Meet NMH's Athletic Trainers:

Wendy Young, M.A., ATC

Email: wyoung@nmhschool.org
Phone: 413-498-3475

Wendy arrived at Northfield Mount Hermon in the fall of 1997 to work as a certified athletic trainer and physical education teacher in the Physical Education and Athletics Department. Prior to arriving on campus, Wendy had been employed for four years by NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation, where she worked in the physical therapy outpatient clinic, and at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, providing athletic training services for their athletic program.

Wendy earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of New Hampshire, where she also played soccer and lacrosse. After graduation, she spent a year as an intern at Phillips Exeter Academy and earned her Board Certification in Athletic Training during that year. She earned a Master of Arts degree, also in athletic training, from Western Michigan University. In addition to serving NMH in the athletic department, Wendy is also an advisor. During her tenure here, she has served on several NMH committees related to athletics, most notably facility design as part of strategic planning, student-athlete award selection, and PE curricula design.

victoria van alstine-tauer, MS, LAT, ATC

 

Email: vvanalstinetauer@nmhschool.org
Phone: 413-498-3475

Victoria began working at Northfield Mount Hermon in the fall of 2021 as a certified and licensed athletic trainer. Previously, Victoria has worked at a public high school in Western Massachusetts as the head athletic trainer, as well as at Shriners Hospitals for Children as an athletic trainer and resource for the Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy department as the hospital. Victoria also has experiences as a per diem athletic trainer, has worked at Amherst College under an NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Grant, and at Smith College as a Graduate Assistant.

Victoria earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Westfield State University in Athletic Training and later went on to complete her Master of Science degree at Smith College in Exercise and Sport Studies. Additionally, Victoria serves on the National Athletic Trainers' Association's Early Professionals Committee and on the Athletic Trainers of Western Massachusetts Awards and Scholarships Committee. Victoria is a certified American Heart Association Instructor and holds certifications in RockTape© techniques and manual therapies.