University of Georgia Athletics
Athletic Training Staff & Sports Medicine Team
July 20, 2006 | General
Clinical Staff
The members of the clinical staff are all NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainers. The full-time employees of the University of Georgia are responsible for the health of their specific sports. In addition, they also serve as Approved Clinical Instructors and adjunct faculty in the Department of Exercise Science. Many of Georgia's athletic trainers also hold additional certifications in physical therapy, massage therapy, emergency medical technicians, and/or strength and conditioning.
- Ron Courson, Director of Sports Medicine
- Steve Bryant, Associate Athletic Trainer
- Mike Dillon, Associate Athletic Trainer (Baseball)
- Mike Dew, Rehabilitation Coordinator
- Mark Christensen, Rehabilitation Assistant
- Colby Pohlmann, Assistant Athletic Trianer (Men's Basketball)
- Shannon Becker, Assistant Athletic Trainer (Women's Basketball)
- Amanda Langton, Assistant Athletic Trainer (Soccer)
- Lenny Navitskis, Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football)
- Eric Gunderson, Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football)
- Anna Randa, Assistant Athletic Trainer (Gymnastics)
- Dan Graham, Assistant Athletic Trainer (Track and Cross Country)
Administrative Staff
The administrative support for the sports medicine program is provided through a partnership with St. Mary's Hospital.
- Jeanne Vaughn, Insurance Coordinator
- Cathy Grindle, Administrative Assistant
- Ruth Gildea, Sports Nutritionist -- Link to Sports Nutrition
Graduate Assistants
Georgia's graduate assistant athletic trainers come from a wide variety of educational and clinical backgrounds. In addition to NATABOC certifications, many of the graduate assistants hold credentials in other areas, such as massage therapy, physical therapy, paramedic training and/or strength and conditioning. The graduate assistants have assignments with a variety of sports, including softball, football, track and field, swimming and diving, volleybal, tennis, and equestrian. Further, all the graduate assistants have completed the Approved Clinical Instructors Course to become clinical supervisors for the undergraduate athletic training students. Each assistant receives a stipend and tuition waiver from the Athletic Association. Most graduate assistants pursue their degree in the Department of Exercise Science.
UGA Sports Medicine Graduate Assistants
G.A.s for 2006-07
- Jeff Baggett - Football
- Lindsey Dame - Swimming & Diving
- Karen Donovan - Track & Field; Cross Country
- Janie Herrema - Women's Tennis
- Alexis Murphy - Football
- Michael Neumann - Men's Tennis
- Tracy Ramos - Equestrian
- Kyle Scharer - Softball
- Randall Wilkerson - Volleyball
Undergraduate Athletic Training Students
The University of Georgia offers a comprehensive athletic training education and sports medicine program. The undergraduate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) and is an emphasis in the Department of Exercise Science. The incoming class of athletic training students is enrolled Fall semester in course work and are placed in a clinical assignment with a certified athletic trainer on staff. Each semester the athletic training student receives a new clinical rotation. The students also obtain supervised clinical experience in local sports medicine clinics, physician offices, and local high schools. The opportunity to observe surgery, participate in athlete rehabilitation and participate in cutting edge sports medicine research is also provided.
To meet UGA’s current athletic training students visit the Student Athletic Training Club’s website and for more information concerning the athletic training curriculum, visit the Exercise Science Department’s website.
Exercise Science Department website:
www.coe.uga.edu/kinesiology/exs/athletic_training/Student Athletic Training Club website:
http://www.coe.uga.edu/kinesiology/exs/athletic_training/club.html
Education/Faculty Staff
The athletic training program utilizes a team approach for classroom and clinical instruction. The program is directed by Dr. Michael Ferrara and supported by a staff of doctoral and master level graduate assistants. Along with playing an integral and vital role in the education of the undergraduate athletic training students, the graduate assistants are able to outreach to local high schools through a partnership with Athens Orthopaedic Clinic and Georgia Sports Medicine Institute.
- Michael Ferrara, Ph.D., Director of Undergraduate Curriculum
Team Physicians
A variety of physicians assist with the evaluation and treatment of injuries to Bulldog athletes. A multidisciplinary approach is used with physicians who are involved in family practice, orthopaedics, neurology, dentistry, optometry and radiology. Physicians provide care in all the athletic training facilities, the University Health Center and at local hospitals and clinics. Student athletic trainers are encouraged to watch and participate in physician evaluations and to observe surgery.
- Fred Reifsteck, MD, University Health Center
- Ron Elliott, MD, University Health Center
- Kelly Ward, PA, ATC, Athens Orthopaedic Clinic
| Glenn C. Alex, DMD Patrick A. Brooks, MD Robert Cannon, MD Brent Crymes MD Richard Finger, Jr., DDS Robert E. Hancock, MD | Brandon (Kip) Hicks, MD Joseph T. Johnson, MD Alonzo Sexton, MD William Orr David Sailors, MD Joe Scalise, Ed.D . | Stanley D. Satterfield, DMD David L. Semenoff, MD Phillip A. Sheffield, MD Stuart Thomas, OD Kimberly P. Walpert, MD Kelly P. Ward, PA-C, ATC |
