Michael is originally from Memphis. TN and attended Houston High School. There he played football, baseball, and tennis. At the time, he was not exposed to an athletic trainer, but realized he really enjoyed helping the injured players during his time as a student. After graduating high school, he applied and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, majoring in Physical Therapy. However, after some time, Michael realized his passion was in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training
Not only is Peggy Bratt the athletic trainer at Alcoa High School and Sports Medicine Coordinator with Blount Memorial Hospitals, but she is also the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society President. Click here to read about how Peggy came to be an athletic trainer and what she enjoys doing when she is not on a field!
Brad Swope has worked as an athletic trainer at the high school and collegiate level as well as with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Not only is he an athletic trainer, but has also worked as a paramedic. Along with the full time job of athletic trainer, Brad is also involved with Athletes in Action and ATs Care. Click here to read about Brad and his outstanding career!
Not only is Brandi Mangrum the athletic trainer at Independence High School, but she is also a teacher and HOSA advisor. She has been at Independence since the beginning and has had the opportunity to build its’ athletic training program from the ground up. Click here to read about how she got to Independence and into teaching!
Josh Ezell is our first AT Spotlight of 2019 and just in time to get us excited for March. He has a non-traditional athletic training role with STAR Physical Therapy although he draws parallels between the Industrial Medicine setting and a High School Athletic Training Room. To read more about Josh and learn about Industrial Medicine or what an FCE is, follow the link!
This month's AT Spotlight features Eddie Davis. He was the athletic trainer for Baylor School back before athletic training was an allied health profession. He spent his whole career caring for the students and athletes of Baylor School in Chattanooga. Click here to read about how Eddie found athletic training before CAATE had the programs!
Years Certified: 19 years
Current Position: Manager, Outreach Sports Medicine for Vanderbilt Orthopedics
What you love about athletic training: "Knowing that you have a positive impact on athletes lives whether getting them through a significant injury or just being someone to talk to."
Awards: 2017 Backbone Award
Education: BS in athletic training with a minor in Spanish from Southeast Missouri State and an MEd from Belmont University
Fun Facts: Completed an internship at the Wide World of Sports complex at Disney World
Initially thought I wanted to go to PT school, my advisor my first semester suggested athletic training, I did have one in high school so I knew what the profession was. I did my observations and pre-requisites and was accepted into the athletic training program as a sophomore, when most were accepted junior year. I’ve been doing it ever since.
Kim doesn't recall any one specific stand out moment, but does say that the first year she worked with Stratford High School is one she will never forget. That year, she started the tradition of baking cookies for each win that the boys basketball team had that season. That season, they also made it to state! Needless to say, she baked a lot of cookies.
But, in general, she says that most of her memorable moments are seeing athletes have success, particularly returning to play after a significant injury.
Outside of her clinic management duties and time at Nashville Christian, Kim enjoys checking out new restaurants in town. The verdict is still out on a favorite since there is always something new to try!
During the "dead period" in high school athletics, Kim takes time to travel. One of her favorite trips was a Mediterranean cruise to Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
If she's staying state-side, Kim likes to go back home to Chicago. Every couple of years she will take a river cruise through the city, where she says she almost always learns something new. On her most recent trip back, she took the Chicago Architecture Foundation's tour.
On the list of travel to-do's Kim would love to see all of the professional baseball stadiums.
““Kim is an awesome trainer. She goes out of her way to make sure that all of the athletes NCS are taken care of. She works well with the coaching staff and parents. She is instrumental in the success of our teams and her work often goes unnoticed.””
““Kim has played an integral part in the Nashville community, through serving athletes, growing the profession, and educating others on the role and services athletic trainers provide. She has also played a key role in my career development through her guidance and leadership.””
““Kim is not only a huge part of the success of our teams, she is also part of the fabric of our school community. She is an excellent athletic trainer, but her genuine care for our students personally is what sets her apart in my mind. She has a great spirit and gets to know our students individually while working very professionally to get/keep them healthy.””
“She is a great athletic trainer and an even better program manager.”
“Ms Kim cares about each one of us and takes really good care of us. She goes out of her way to make sure we are taken care of and doing what we need to do to get us back on the field.”
“Ms Kim is always there for us for anything we need. She always follows up with us to make sure we stay on top of our rehab. She is like a 2nd Mom to a lot of us.”
This months AT Spotlight features Jerome Reid. He is the winner of the 2017 Clinical/Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year award and assistant athletic trainer to the Tennessee Titans. Athletic trainer by day, superhero with his sidekick Jaden by night, click here to read more about Jerome Reid, his journey to the NFL and his impact on Nashville.
Recently recognized for his 1,000th game in professional hockey and recipient of the 2018 Clinical/Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year, Andy is head athletic trainer to the Nashville Predators. Click here to find out how he made his way to the NHL and Nashville, some of his most memorable moments as an athletic trainer, and what he enjoys doing when he is not on the ice.
Jersey has been an athletic trainer for 22 years; 10 of those years he has spent in Chattanooga at the McCallie School. He is the winner of the 2018 Sandy Sandlin High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. Click here to find out why Jersey chose to be an athletic trainer, what he loves about it, and the impact he has had on his community. He may have also told us his favorite place to get a burger in Chattanooga too!
