Anyone who has viewed or attended an athletic event knows that sports involve a risk of injury. High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries each year, leading to 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey conducted from 1991 to 2019, approximately 57% of high school students participate in at least one sport.
Door County Medical Center (DCMC) proudly provides full-time certified athletic trainers at no cost to all four high schools in the county. This means that every student-athlete in Door County has access to professional sports medicine support, regardless of the school's size or resources.
The Role of Athletic Trainers in High School Sports
High school sports offer teenagers a variety of benefits, including promoting a healthy lifestyle, enhancing mental clarity, and improving academic performance. Team sports foster strong friendships and help build life skills. Recognizing the importance of high school sports and athlete safety, the Athletic Training team members at DCMC collaborate with local schools to prevent, reduce, and manage sports-related injuries. These trainers focus on injury prevention and conditioning, ensuring a medical professional is present at every practice and sporting event. Additionally, trainers accompany teams to away games when necessary, especially if the opposing school lacks dedicated medical support.
Our physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists support student-athletes throughout Door County. However, athletic trainers are the cornerstone of injury prevention and management. They work closely with athletes on a daily basis—on the practice field, on the sidelines during games, and in partnership with coaches and parents—to provide the best possible care. Their role goes beyond immediate treatment; they also play a vital part in injury assessment, guiding recovery, and communicating with medical professionals when further intervention is needed.
Preventing injuries before they occur and stopping minor injuries from becoming more severe is a top priority. Without trained professionals on the sidelines, even seemingly minor injuries could be overlooked, potentially leading to more serious conditions. Educating student-athletes and their families about injuries and their long-term impact is crucial for ensuring safe participation in sports.
"The relationship between Door County Medical Center and the Sturgeon Bay School District regarding our athletic trainers has been amazing! The athletic trainers consistently provide a positive experience while building strong relationships with our student-athletes, parents, and coaches. All the athletic trainers I have worked with this year from DCMC have been committed to ensuring our students' health, safety, and well-being while providing expert care. Their proactive approach to injury prevention, post-injury care, and communication has been first class and is greatly appreciated." Jonathon Dupuis, Athletic Director for Sturgeon Bay High School.
Athletic Trainer Qualifications & Services
In addition to their college degrees, our athletic trainers are state-licensed (LAT) and certified through the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC). They maintain high professional standards by bi-annually completing at least 50 hours of continuing education and undergo annual professional proficiency training through DCMC.
Their expertise includes:
- Injury Prevention
- Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
- Immediate and Emergency Care
- Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Organization and Professional Health and Well-Being
Specialty Services
-
Strength & Conditioning: DCMC offers strength and conditioning programming tailored to improve speed, strength, power, agility, and injury resiliency. Our National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) credentialed specialists help elevate athletic performance.
-
Concussion Management: Our athletic trainers are the first line of defense in concussion care and management. They utilize Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), the most widely used and scientifically validated computerized concussion management tool.
By collaborating with primary care providers, parents, and school administration, our trainers ensure a safe return to sport through the Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Play protocols. These protocols involve daily symptom monitoring and a five-stage, increasingly demanding return-to-sport process. They also prioritize rehabilitative methods, including modalities, education, and exercise, instead of drugs or surgery.
Our team and community-focused approach guarantees that every student-athlete receives the care and support they need to stay healthy, perform at their best, and recover quickly from injuries.
Meet Our Athletic Trainers:
Location
Sevastopol School
Location
Sturgeon Bay School
Location
Southern Door School
Location
Gibraltar School