Athletic Trainers are often the first line of defense when emergencies strike on the field, and a new workshop hosted by the UConn Institute for Sports Medicine (ISM) aimed to strengthen their life-saving skills.
“UConn ISM is committed to the health, performance, and longevity of athletes,” said Laurie Devaney, head of the Department of Kinesiology and co-director of UConn ISM. “This includes life-threatening emergencies as they may occur at any time and place.”
The morning included presentations from UConn Health and CAHNR faculty on concussion management, orthopedics, and airway care. In the afternoon, participants rotated through hands-on workshops and emergency simulations, gaining practical experience with real-world scenarios.
The event wrapped up with preceptor training to support Athletic Trainers in mentoring the next generation.
Lauren Sheldon, assistant professor and director of clinical outreach, emphasized the workshop’s relevance:
“Our goal was to include a variety of emergency topics relevant to Athletic Trainers, complemented by engaging hands-on activities.”
Attendees praised the program’s content and new venue, calling it a “blessing” and saying it “exceeded expectations.” Devaney added:
“Connecting Athletic Trainers and collaborating on individualized EAPs will improve overall response and decrease errors during an emergency when quick and comprehensive response is crucial.”
The workshop showcased UConn’s continued leadership in athlete safety through education, collaboration, and innovation. Full story here!