Fidelity Health Athletic Training Services
By Beth Blank, system director of school partnerships and employer strategy, Fidelity Health Care and Mike McCormack, system director of rehab services, Premier Health
Fidelity Health Care has provided athletic training services to local school districts for more than 20 years. We currently employ 70 athletic trainers who provide sports medicine services to 36 school districts in greater Dayton. As we continue to foster these partnerships, we are looking to serve not only the student-athletes but the entire school district, encompassing non-student athletes, faculty, staff, and parents.
To help expand our reach beyond student-athletes, Fidelity utilizes two school ambassadors, Teresa Leeper and Ashley Jewell. Our school ambassadors serve as the liaison between Fidelity and the schools by introducing and highlighting the many district-wide health and wellness services available. The ambassadors bridge the communication gap and ensure our schools’ needs are heard and met.
Currently, Fidelity offers students an array of services, including CPR certification, nicotine cessation programs, drug education and testing, wellness lectures/workshops, health and safety fairs, and sports physicals at Premier Health Urgent Cares. We also represent the system at career days and help educate students on the pathway to health care careers. We connect students interested in a health care career to internships, externships, job shadowing and career opportunities at Premier Health.
We are seizing additional opportunities through our school partnerships by extending our services beyond the students. We offer the entire school district health and wellness services such as health and biometric screenings, wellness workshops, CPR and First Aid training, flu vaccines, injury care, and much more. We also support the schools’ nursing programs and staff by offering clinical opportunities, continuing education, and access to Premier Health resources. We value the relationship with the nurses and understand they are an integral part of navigating the health and wellness of students and faculty.
It has been an exciting year, and we look forward to 2024 and the many opportunities ahead. We will continue to foster our current partnerships and look for new ways to engage and encourage health and wellness by serving the heart of a community – the schools. If you are interested in helping students find their health care calling, or if you have additional questions regarding Premier Health’s school services, please contact our school liaisons, Teresa or Ashley, and they will assist you.
Teresa can be reached at trleeper@premierhealth.com, and Ashley can be reached at aljewell@premierhealth.com.
Back to the September 2023 issue of Premier Pulse
