Athletic Training

Athletic Training is a healthcare profession which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities.

Athletic Trainers are, at a minimum, certified by the Board of Certification for Athletic Training. In addition, Athletic Trainers must be currently certified in CPR For the Professional Rescuer. Athletic Trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to evaluate and manage injuries, and to optimize activity and participation of Marin Academy's student-athletes.

Role of the Athletic Trainer at Marin Academy:

Immediate injury evaluation and on-going treatment

I am on campus every day during the week and at on-campus home events to care for any injuries that occur. I am available to assess and treat injuries during lunch and in the early afternoon before teams depart for away events. This includes taping, heat, ice, Electric Muscle Stimulation, and therapeutic ultrasound, as well as manual treatments. Once an injury has occurred, I can help the athlete regain full function including: range of motion, balance and strength, so that they can return to participation.

Facilitation of care in the event of an injury

In the event of an injury that requires physician evaluation and management, I have developed a network of local providers in most healthcare networks with experience treating athletes in an effort to expedite appropriate care. The network extends from Marin to the North Bay, San Francisco, and the East Bay. I can easily facilitate a referral to any of those providers, as needed.

Injuries requiring Physician evaluation

Concussions

Any MA student-athlete who suffers a Head Injury MUST be evaluated by a physician AND the Athletic Trainer. This is required by state of California and Marin Academy. Additionally, ALL student-athletes at Marin Academy are required to take a baseline ImPACT test. In the event of a concussion, we have implemented a Concussion Management Program that includes Post-injury ImPACT testing and a Gradual Return-to-Play Protocol for all concussions. As of January 1, 2015, the State of California requires that this Gradual Return to Play Protocol take no less than seven days from the date of diagnosis. ImPACT testing and progression through the Return-to-Play Protocol is administered by the Athletic Trainer, in conjunction with the student-athlete’s physician and Dr. Eric Freitag, PsyD, who oversees our ImPACT Concussion Testing Program.

To learn more about the components of our Concussion Management program, please take a look at this presentation.

Communication is key!

In order for your son/daughter to be given the best possible care in the Athletic Training Room, communication is extremely important, especially with sports that practice and play off-campus! I am always available to answer questions, both by phone (415-482-3292) and e-mail (agill@ma.org). Treatment for injuries can be facilitated, but planning is essential. There are times when a student-athlete may need to see me at lunch or during a free period in order to be ready to participate in that day’s practice or game.

Location of the Athletic Training Room

The Athletic Training Room is located inside the Wellness Center bottom floor of the Science and Innovation Center.

Sports Medicine Team

As Marin Academy's Athletic Trainer, Aaron works with all healthcare providers involved in the care of Marin Academy's student-athletes. This includes physicians, chiropractors, athletic trainers at host schools, and physical therapists.

In an effort to provide the best quality care for Marin Academy's Student-Athletes, we have partnered with two local Sports Medicine providers:

Dr. Kristin Wingfield, Team Physician - Dr. Wingfield serves as Marin Academy's Team Physician. Dr. Wingfield is a Primary Care Sports Medicine Specialist at Golden Gate Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, where she specializes in management of non-surgical sports injuries.

Eric Freitag, PsyD, CIC - Dr. Freitag oversees the ImPACT Testing component of Marin Academy's Sport Concussion Management Program. In addition to reviewing all baseline tests, Dr. Freitag reviews all post-injury tests and communicates his recommendations directly with Aaron.