Internship at DNHS Provides Hands-On Training in Sports Medicine
The interns working for the athletic training program assist Kimberly Woolstencroft to treat and prevent injuries of Del Norte High School student-athletes.
An athletic trainer is able to diagnose, prevent, and treat injuries.
“Coaches, teammates, and parents are not able to give expert advice regarding health and injury prevention that an athletic trainer would be able to give,” student-athlete Jake Todd (‘21) said.
According to Todd, this program provided a great opportunity to “gain more hands-on experience in the medical field, and to gain more knowledge of anatomy and physiology.”
Having a healthcare professional present can support an athletic career by identifying the potential for serious injuries before they occur.
According to one of the athletic interns, Anushka Edlabadkar (‘21), “Our athletes in general are safer, healthier, and more aware of the potential risks of their sport, and having an athletic trainer on campus allows athletes to seek immediate help after an injury.”
In addition, the program provided insight into the responsibilities of a medical professional. This also allowed those in the program to gain an understanding of anatomy, first aid skills, and injury. Additionally, this program allowed the interns to meet new students and create new friendships.
Intern Anusri Thokachichu (‘22) says she feels that she “made the right decision of wanting to go into the medical field track even if it may be challenging.” She states, “I knew that I also would like to have a similar impact on those around by becoming a doctor.”
The pandemic has provided unique experiences for those participating in the internship. While medical care relies on physical interactions, the programs have had to shift to follow safety protocols while still aiding those in need.