In honor of National Athletic Training Month this March, Pearland Independent School District proudly recognizes the contributions of its six athletic trainers and two hospital contract athletic trainers.

These healthcare professionals include Dawson High School’s Christina Fry, MS, LAT, ATC (head athletic trainer), Thomas Patrey, MS, LAT, ATC, and Joseph Eberhardt, M.Ed., LAT, ATC and Pearland High School’s Nicholas Holtgrieve, MAT, LAT, ATC, (head athletic trainer), Jill Flowers, LAT, ATC, and Catherine Windsor, MS, LAT, ATC.

Pearland ISD takes the healthcare of the student athletes very seriously and has partnered with Memorial Hermann to provide athletic trainers at Pearland ISD’s junior high campuses. Junior high athletes and parents will have the same benefits of prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation as the student athletes the high school campuses. These healthcare professionals are Jenny Brittle, MAT, LAT, ATC at PJH South and Berry Miller JH and Kathy Nguyen, MAT, LAT, ATC at PJH East and West.

Throughout March, athletic trainers (ATs), nationwide will educate athletes, patients, clients and the public about the importance and value of their work.

Collaborating with physicians, ATs play a sustainable role in risk mitigation. ATs can help prevent injuries, reduce liability and improve productivity. ATs offer a safer approach and compassionate care to individuals who are physically active or participate in sports. ATs should not be confused with personal trainers or “trainers” who focus solely on fitness and conditioning.

"There’s an AT for that" is the 2023 National Athletic Training Month theme, because of their commitment to always providing aide to those in need despite the location, situation and patient classification. Athletic trainers impact health care through action, are advocates for their patient’s best medical interest and make competent decisions based on evidence-based practice.

In addition, throughout March, PHS and DHS athletic trainers invite administrators from the Pearland Little League, Pearland Youth Football League, Pearland United or other local youth sports organization and employers in the Pearland area to explore the public awareness campaign, “At Your Own Risk” webpage which is aimed specifically at educating parents, student athletes, school administrators, legislators and employers on the athletic trainers' role as an expert in prevention and safety.

To learn more about how you can support this initiative at your local, state and district levels, please visit www.atyourownrisk.org.

(03/10/2023)