This webinar will focus on the direct and indirect value athletic trainers offer within physician practice. Topics will include common duties, specific roles such as DME coordinator and surgical assistant, and various methods of specialization and residency training.

Learning Objectives:

• Familiarize attendees with the various roles the athletic trainer can serve to promote direct and indirect value via clinic and surgical efficiency within the physician practice.
• Review of the role of the DME coordinator, from developing the role and sustaining an efficient and cost-effective system.
• Present the various types of specialization and residency training that could offer increased value within the physician practice.

Speakers:

Jennifer Kitano, MS, ATC, BCS-O, Certified Athletic Trainer
Maine Medical Partners Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Jennifer Kitano began her athletic training career by receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Boston University and her Master of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from the University of Kentucky. Following her academic career, Jennifer worked as an instructor in entry-level athletic training education while also working as a staff athletic trainer for Division II and Division III athletics.

In 2008, Jennifer completed the Athletic Trainer Physician Extender Residency Program at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO, and then served on their staff as an athletic trainer in clinic, surgery, and US Snowboarding events with Dr. Thomas Hackett. In 2013, Jennifer created the Physician Practice Workgroup while serving as the District 1 representative on the Committee on Practice Advancement as part of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association.

Jennifer co-directed the Athletic Trainers in Physician Practice NATA Pre-Conference Workshop from 2013-2015 and has lectured at the event on multiple occasions. Jennifer served as a contributor to the Orthopedic Specialty Certification Practice Analysis for the creation of the first specialty certification within the Board of Certification. Jennifer is a founding board member of the Athletic Trainers in the Physician Practice Society. She has served as the Education Chair and Secretary previously and currently serves as an at-large board member for the organization. Jennifer currently works at Maine Medical Partners Orthopedics and Sports Medicine as an athletic trainer in the physician clinic and orthopedic surgery.

JJ Wetherington, MS, ATC, BCS-O, Certified Athletic Trainer and Residency Program Director
St. Luke's Health System

JJ Wetherington MS, LAT, ATC is a clinical athletic trainer for a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon at St. Luke's Sports Medicine in Boise, ID. In addition to his clinical duties, he serves as a preceptor for St. Luke’s CAATE-accredited orthopedic residency program. His professional career began in 2009 at Flagler College where he provided care for the men’s soccer and baseball teams. In 2014, JJ went on to further his training by completing an orthopedic athletic training residency at St. Luke’s Sports Medicine.

Following his residency, JJ was recruited to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI, to develop an athletic training residency along with his duties as a clinical athletic trainer. JJ served as program director from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, JJ returned to St. Luke’s to work clinically and in the operating room specializing in shoulder pathologies. Additionally, JJ is currently an adjunct faculty member at AT Still University and affiliate faculty at Indiana State University for both of their DAT programs.

Historically, JJ served as the co-leader of the NATA’s Committee on Practice Advancement (COPA) Athletic Trainers in the Physician Practice Workgroup. Currently, he serves the athletic training profession in numerous capacities within many members of the strategic alliance. JJ is currently serving the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) as a member of the Standards Committee and as a site visitor for residency programs. He is currently serving the Board of Certification (BOC) as a member of the Specialty Council.

Additionally, for the BOC, he has worked on the practice analysis and exam generation of the orthopedic specialty certification. He also serves as the vice president of the Athletic Trainers in Physician Practice Society (ATPPS). He has authored and contributed to numerous peer-reviewed and professional publications focusing on athletic training specialization and athletic training residency programs.

JJ is a sought-after speaker with multiple presentations nationally on athletic training specialization, improving physician practice efficiencies, and the implementation and utilization of athletic trainers. JJ is also a section editor for Clinical Practice in Athletic Training. JJ earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training in 2007 from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, and a post-professional master's degree in athletic training in 2009 from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Allyson Hoops, MAT, ATC, Certified Athletic Trainer, DME Coordinator
Northern Ohio Medical Specialists – NOMS Healthcare

Allyson Hoops graduated from The University of Findlay in 2010 with a Bachelor's Degree in Strength and Conditioning and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training. She obtained a job with PT Services in Fremont, OH shortly after graduation and worked as the Wellness Coordinator and an outreach Athletic Trainer. While with PT Services, she worked with Lakota High School, Old Fort High School, and Clyde High School.

Allyson left PT Services in 2015 to move to Columbus and work at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in their Sports Medicine Department. She spent a year working with the Ohio State team physicians and decided to leave Ohio State for a new opportunity at Northern Ohio Medical Specialists (NOMS). Allyson was asked to create and build the DME department, work as an Athletic Trainer in Physician Practice, and cover Clyde High School.

In the physician practice, she evaluates and treats patients in a family medicine office that has 3 Physicians and 10 Certified Nurse Practitioners. Allyson manages the DME department with 40 locations consisting of orthopedic, podiatry, and sports medicine offices. Lastly, she covers all sporting events at Clyde High School.