March is National Athletic Training Month and is a great time each year to recognize Marshall County High School Athletic trainer Jen Salmon. Salmon is in her eighth year at MCHS and 19th year as an Athletic Trainer. When she’s not on the fields, courts or track at Marshall County, she works for Atlas Physical Therapy as a physical therapy assistant where she continues to give patient care.
National Athletic Training Month recognizes Athletic Trainers from across America for their commitment. They specialize in prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses.
This year’s slogan for National Athletic Training Month is “From Head to Toe” which, according to the National Athletic Training Association (NATA), “highlights the whole-body, whole-person care ATs provide their patients.”
Trainer Jen is invaluable to Marshall County athletes, coaches and parents for a multitude of reasons. She works to prevent injuries and promote recovery to ensure that athletics are in optimal condition.
Athletic Trainers are the first medical professional on the scene after an injury and collaborate with doctors to provide emergency and follow-up care as part of the injury prevention and treatment programs for injured athletes. They are a vital communication link between the injured athlete, the physician, the coach, and the athlete’s family to determine when it’s right to return to practice and competition.
Trainer Jen’s duties don’t stop with athlete care. From hot summer camps to fall practices and games, she monitors extreme heat and weather for practice and game conditions. Her days begin long before the whistle blows and continues after the final buzzer sounds, wrapping and unwrapping injuries and preparing for all scenarios that could occur in the athletic realm for Marshall County athletics as well as those from opposing teams.
Trainer Jen says she wouldn’t trade what she does for a living even on bad days and loves the relationships she builds with the kids and watching them succeed in life.