Latest / Here to Serve - A United Regional Podcast / Tim Thomas and Keith Gates, Athletic Trainers
Transcript
- United Regional: Welcome to Here to Serve, a United Regional podcast. I'm your host, Ryan Graves. My favorite part of being the Director of Patient Experience at United Regional is the incredible people that I meet and work with on a daily basis. And I want you to meet them too. Join us to meet the people behind the badge and to highlight those who are here to serve. All right, gentlemen, welcome to the Here to Serve podcast. Glad to have you today. Thank you. It's good to be here. So introduce yourselves ⁓ for anybody that doesn't know you guys. We'll start over here. speaker-0: Welcome to Here to Serve, a United Regional podcast. I'm your host, Ryan Graves. My favorite part of being the Director of Patient Experience at United Regional is the incredible people that I meet and work with on a daily basis. And I want you to meet them too. Join us to meet the people behind the badge and to highlight those who are here to serve. All right, gentlemen, welcome to the Here to Serve podcast. Glad to have you today. Thank you. So introduce yourselves for anybody that doesn't know you guys. We'll start over here. speaker-1: Thank you. United Regional: Tim Thomas, Bill United Regional for about 12 years. 12 years and all in athletic training? Yes. Okay. And how about you, sir? Keith Gates, athletic trainer, about six years, give or take. Six years, okay. I think athletic training years are like dog years, right? It feels like they count extra. ⁓ yeah. That's awesome. We're glad to have you guys here today. We're also going to have Jeremy on, but as we'll get into today, ⁓ Jeremy Woodward, by the way. speaker-1: Tim Thomas, Bill of United Regional for about 12 years. speaker-0: 12 years and all in athletic training? Yes. Okay. And how about you, sir? ⁓ speaker-2: Gaits, athletic trainer, about six years, give or take. speaker-0: Six years, I think athletic training years are like dog years, right? They extra. That's awesome. We're glad to have you guys here today. We're ⁓ also gonna have Jeremy on, as we'll get into today, ⁓ Jeremy Woodward, by the way, and as we'll get into today, the hours for athletic training are pretty extreme, and so Jeremy's not here. But we did silence our cell phones just now because, I don't know if everybody knows this about Jeremy, speaker-2: ⁓ yeah. United Regional: And it was we'll get into today the hours for athletic training are pretty extreme and so Jeremy's not here But we did silence our cell phones just now because I don't know if everybody knows this about Jeremy, but he loves them a tell a story on him He loves to call me and try to interrupt whatever I'm doing. It's a thing for him. So like if we're at a This happens so many times if we're at like an LDI event any public speaking event where I'm up at the podium speaker-0: But he loves, I'm tell a story on him, he loves to call me and try to interrupt whatever I'm doing. It's a thing for him. So like if we're at a, this happens so many times, if we're at like an LDI event, any public speaking event where I'm up at the podium, he just sits there in the audience and just calls me the whole time. Can't tell you. My phone's just going bzz, bzz, bzz in my pocket. So now I put it on Do Not Disturb. United Regional: He just sits there in the audience and just calls me the whole time. I can't tell you. My phone was just going, bzz, bzz, bzz, in my pocket. So now I put it on Do Not Disturb. Well, he figured out that if you call twice, it'll still go from mine the way it's set. It'll still go through. So if Jeremy's there, I have to completely just turn my phone off. Or he'll just call me the whole time. So I was going to try to get him. If he was here today, I was going to try to call him during this. But anyway, he wasn't able to. speaker-0: Well, he figured out that if you call twice, it'll still go from mine the way it's set. It'll still go through. So if Jeremy's there, I have to completely just turn my phone off or he'll just call me the whole time. So I was going to try to get him if he was here today. I was going to try ⁓ to get him back, call him during this. But anyway, he wasn't able to wasn't able to join us. Jeremy, we miss you, buddy. We'll get you on another time. But thank you, too, for being here. Glad to have you guys. And so I'm excited to kind of get into. United Regional: wasn't able to join us Jeremy, we miss you buddy. We'll get you on another time, but thank you too for being here. Glad to have you guys. So I'm excited to kind of get into talking a little bit about athletic training, what it is, what do you guys do, how do you serve the community, but I've got something I want to ask first. Most importantly, healthcare folks love to tell war stories, so I want to hear from you guys. 12 years, six years, y'all have got to have seen some stuff by now. speaker-0: Talking a little bit about athletic training, what it is, what do you guys do, how do you serve the community, but I've got something I want to ask first. Most importantly, healthcare folks love to tell war stories. So I want to hear from you guys, 12 years, six years, y'all have got to have seen some stuff by now. both of you want you to tell me your craziest, ⁓ gnarliest, coolest injury that you remember. You can pick a couple if it's hard to pick one. United Regional: Both of you want you to tell me your craziest, gnarliest, coolest injury that you remember. You can pick a couple if it's hard to pick one. So I've been in the profession for 31 years. I've been at a regional for 12. Okay, 31. 31 years. And so I think probably my gnarliest injury was a football game. speaker-1: So I've been in the profession for 31 years. I've in the United Regional for 12. 31 years. And so I think probably my gnarliest injury was a football game. A kid was running down the sideline. It was open and kickoff. He ran on our sideline. And the other team had a beat on him, hit him in the leg, fractured his leg, bone popped out of the sock. speaker-0: Okay, 31. United Regional: He was running down the sideline, it was open and kick off. He ran on our sideline and ⁓ the other team had a beat on him, hit him in the leg, fractured his leg, bone popped out of the sock. He was screaming bloody murder. It was the opposite team that got hit. And ⁓ it was pretty gross. It was bleeding and he had a trip to the emergency room right then. was... speaker-1: He was screaming bloody murder. was the opposite team that got hit. And ⁓ it was pretty gross. was bleeding and he had a trip to the emergency room right then. It got my attention. It happened like three foot in front of me. I was like, United Regional: And it happened like three foot in front of me. I was like, ugh. Yeah, I get sympathy pains in those scenarios where I'm just like, ugh, just get queasy, know? Even if you've seen that kind of stuff before, still, that is catastrophic. And that's why they have EMS there, right? Yes, exactly. That's why you have EMS on site. They gave him some drugs and the ambulance because he was hurting. He had surgery the next day and had a rod put in his leg. But I was like, dang it. speaker-0: Yeah, I get sympathy pains in those scenarios where I'm just like, ⁓ just get queasy, know? Even if you've seen that kind of stuff before, it's that is catastrophic. And that's why they have EMS there, right? Yes, exactly. That's why you have EMS on site. speaker-1: gave him some drugs and the ambulance because he was hurting. had surgery the next day and had a rod put in his leg. I was like, dang it. United Regional: Those things, thankfully they don't happen very often, but that's why you guys are there. You're there on site, ready to respond to the moment's notice. Man, crazy. What about you? My story is almost similar, hidden in probably at the same place. I was covering a JV football game and I was up at the Field House taping kids and the junior high game was going on and I popped my head out of the door and this... speaker-0: Those things thankfully they don't happen very often, but that's why you guys are there exactly they're on site ready to ready to respond that a moment notice and man Crazy, what about you? speaker-1: Yep. speaker-2: My story is almost similar, hidden was probably at the same place. I was covering a JV football game and I was up at the field house taping kids and the junior high game was going on and I popped my head out of the door and this big old pile of kids, you know, you don't think anything of it. And I look up and this kid's laying on the down on the ground rolling around, gets up, falls back down, gets up, falls down. So I run from the top of the field house and when he's laying there, his foot's dangling and he had snapped his tip fib and there was no United Regional: big old pile of kids, you know, don't think anything of it. And I look up and this kid's laying on the ground rolling around, gets up, falls back down, gets up, falls down. So I run from the top of the field house. And when he's laying there, his foot's dangling and he had snapped his tip fib and there was no connection. I stabilized his knee, stabilized his ankle and could move it whichever way I wanted because it was broke. didn't pop out of the, yeah. But he, they had to sedate him on the field. speaker-2: connection like I stabilized his knee, stabilized his ankle and could move it whichever way I wanted because it was broke. didn't pop out of the... But he they had to sedate him on the field, throw him in ambulance. But the cool thing about it, he was a seventh grader and then about two or three years later I was working in the clinic doing rehab with a bunch of different athletes and he walks through and he's like, hey Keith. And so I remembered him, saw him, took care of him forever. speaker-1: in the ad United Regional: throw him in the ambulance. But the cool thing about it, he was a seventh grader. And then about two or three years later, I was working in the clinic doing rehab with bunch of different athletes and he walks through and he's like, hey Keith. And so I remembered him, saw him, took care of him forever. And then I did his rehab to get him back. And he was towards the end of it. It was a couple of years later and he was still having trouble walking and running. And we were able to get him back to playing. So that's incredible. That's kind of what we do. Yeah, I did. speaker-2: And then I did his rehab to get him back and he was towards the end of it it was a couple years later and he was still having trouble walking and running and we were able to get him back to playing. So that's incredible. That's kind of what we do. It was a cool story. Just see it come full circle. Yeah. speaker-1: ⁓ Yeah, I did United Regional: It was a cool story to just see it come full circle. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that actually leads exactly to what I wanted to ask you next, which is tell me, I mean, I have in my mind what I think an athletic trainer is, but tell me what, what, what is the actual job description of an athletic trainer? What do you guys do? And maybe what are some of the misconceptions that people have about athletic training versus other things? So we're an allied health professional and ⁓ so we have a national certification and also a Texas licensure that we yet to have a Texas licensure practice, but speaker-0: Yeah. Well, that actually leads exactly to what I wanted to ask you next, which is tell me, I mean, I have in my mind what I think an athletic trainer is, but tell me what, what, what is the actual job description of an athletic trainer? What do you guys do? And maybe what are some of the misconceptions that people have about athletic training versus other things? speaker-1: We're an allied health professional. So we have a national certification and also a Texas licensure that we, you have to have a Texas licensure practice, but the certification is an extra if you want to do that. That would allow you to work anywhere in the United States. It's 50 hours of continued education every two years that we have to submit and all the dos and all that good stuff. United Regional: The certification is an extra if you want to do that. That would allow you to work anywhere in the United States. ⁓ It's 50 hours of continuing education every two years that we have to submit and ⁓ all the dos and all that good stuff. Some of our responsibilities are taping and bracing before games, practices, facilitating pre-physicals. speaker-2: Some of our responsibilities are taping and bracing before games, practices, ⁓ facilitating pre-physicals, injury evaluation on the field, getting them to a doctor if needed. If it's minor stuff, we can kind of take care of it our own in the training room. And I know like a big misconception is that we just hand out water. We're just water boys. We're glorified water boys. ⁓ I know a big misconception when I was in school. United Regional: ⁓ injury evaluation on the field, getting them to a doctor if needed. If it's minor stuff, we can kind of take care of it our own in the training room. Sure. And I know like a big misconception is that we just hand out water. We're just water boys. We're glorified water boys. ⁓ I know a big misconception when I was in school was that we train athletes like we're trainers. Not quite. speaker-2: was that we train athletes, like we're personal trainers. Not quite, we a little bit more than that, but. speaker-0: Not United Regional: Little bit more than that, but. I've got a soft spot for athletic trainers. My brother, you guys probably know him. Reed started his career as an athletic trainer, but I still gain benefit from that to this day. ⁓ From hunting and different sports and things like that, I've got injuries pretty regularly, and I'm forever getting him to help me. speaker-0: I've got a soft spot for athletic training with my brother. You guys probably know him. Reed started his career as an athletic trainer, but I still gain benefit from that to this day. From hunting and different sports and things like that, I've got injuries pretty regularly, and I'm forever getting him to help me. The other day I needed my ankle taped up, and I was like, you still got those skills? And he was like, oh yeah, and I'm like, I don't know if you do or not. And I was like, let's see. And he did a great job. He's like, no, we don't lose this. United Regional: The other day I needed my ankle taped up and I was like, you still got those skills? And he was like, ⁓ yeah. And I'm like, I don't know if you do or not. And I was like, let's see. And he did a great job. He's like, no, we don't lose this. And he taped my ankle up for me real good. So. I started off in high school as a student athletic trainer. Okay. And ⁓ then got out of it for a little while and then got right back in it when I got to MSU. So I still remember how to tape everything from when I was a sophomore in high school. speaker-0: Tate my ankle up for me real good, so. speaker-1: I started off in high school as a student athletic trainer. And ⁓ then got out of it for a little while and then got right back in it when I got to MSU. So I still remember how to tape everything from when I was a sophomore in high school. Yeah. You just don't lose those skills. United Regional: You just don't lose those skills. It's like riding a bike. I've taped my own ankle a few times and it wasn't very good. I'm not that flexible so I don't even drive. When he gets done with it I'm like, oh man, you know what you're doing. I can still move but it's stable. It's an art form for sure. Somebody that really knows how to do it. Definitely an art form. One thing I wanted to add to Keith's is we do a lot of rehab also. speaker-0: It's like a ride in a bike. I've taped my own ankle a few times and it wasn't very good. speaker-1: I'm not that flexible so I don't even drive. ⁓ speaker-0: When he gets done with it, I'm like, ⁓ man, you know what you're doing. I can still move, but it's stable. It's an art form for sure. Somebody that really knows how to do it. speaker-1: One thing I wanted to add to Keith's is we do a lot of rehab also. So we do non-operative rehab and like pre-op and post-op rehab in the training room. ⁓ In working with our therapists at the office, we kind of coincide with them and our orthopedics ⁓ just to open communication on what needs to be done. ⁓ United Regional: non-operative rehab and pre-op and post-op rehab in the training room. In working with our therapists at the office, we kind of coincide with them and our orthopedics just to open communication on what needs to be done. So that's ignorant question on my part, but where are you housed out of? So do you work in our PT clinic or are you at the schools, both? At the schools. so you're housed at the schools. speaker-0: So that's an ignorant question on my part, but where are you housed out of? So do you work in like our PT clinic or are you at the schools, both? schools. Yeah. Yeah. So you're housed at the schools in those training rooms is where you're working at. But you work for United Regional. Yes. Right. you're, we contracted with the schools. What all schools do we serve? United Regional: in those training rooms is where you're working at. But you work for United Regional. Yes. Right. But you're we've. They contract with us. Yeah. Contracted with the with the schools. What all schools do we serve? We have a bunch. Yeah. So we'll start off with MSU and then City View, Owl Park, Petroia. I'm at Winthorst. We have Nokona, Seymour, have the Memorial and Legacy here in town. Woodsaw Christian, Christ's Academy. speaker-1: It's like contract with us. We have a bunch. ⁓ So we'll start off with MSU and then City View, Isle Park, ⁓ Petroja, I'm at Winthorst. We have Nokona, Seymour, we have the Memorial and Legacy here in town. ⁓ Wichita Christian, Christ's Academy, the Junior Highs, ⁓ Henrietta. United Regional: The junior highs. ⁓ Henrietta. Henrietta. Yeah. How many athletic trainers do we have? We have 10. 10. We also have some PRNs that help cover as needed. That's a lot though. It is. And I know there's some rules around certain practices, games, there has to be an athletic trainer there. What's that look like? So lot of it's in our contract with the schools. How much we're there. Okay. So I know like for Winthorst. speaker-2: Henry. speaker-0: How many athletic trainers do we have? speaker-1: We ten. We also have some PRNs that help cover as needed. speaker-0: That's a lot though. It is. And I know there's some rules around certain practices, games. There has to be an athletic trainer there. What's that? What's that look like? speaker-1: So lot of it's in our contract with the schools, how much we're there. So I know like for Winthorst, it's all of the, all football and all the home games and all playoff games. So it's kind of a smaller contract. I know like for like Legacy and Memorial and All Park, they're there from beginning to end and it's every day. United Regional: It's all of the, football and all the home games and all playoff games. So it's kind of a smaller contract. know like for like legacy and Memorial and Iowa Park, they're there from beginning to end and it's every day. Yeah. So it's some crazy hours. It is crazy. Yeah. It's some, really long hours because being at, being at all the games and practices and I mean, that's, that's a lot of hours. So like right now it's kind of a speaker-0: It's some crazy hours. is crazy. Yeah, it's some really long hours because being at all the games and practices and I mean that's a lot of hours. speaker-1: So like right now, it's kind of a crossover. You've got basketball playoffs, but softball and baseball have already started in track. So it's kind of everything's going on at once. United Regional: kind of a crossover basketball playoffs, but softball and baseball have already started in track. So it's kind of everything's going on at once. Yeah. And the good thing about United Regional is the trainers that we have, like if Winthors has girls and boys at separate locations, he can't be at both. But if I'm free, I can go cover a game for him. So United Regional still has a presence at those games and has those trainers. And then we communicate to and all the speaker-2: And the good thing about United Regional is the trainers that we have, like if Winthorce has girls and boys at separate locations, he can't be at both. But if I'm free, I can go cover a game for him so United Regional still has a presence at those games and has those trainers. And then we communicate too. And all the trainers that we have communicate very well about like, hey, I need help covering this. Can you do it? And like, absolutely. Or I can find somebody to do it. United Regional: that we have communicate very well about like, hey, I need help covering this, can you do it? And like, absolutely, or I can find somebody to do it. Sure. Everybody works together to get it done. And all the schools have some of their own trainers as well. What does that look like? Yeah, so like Legacy Memorial, they both have their own trainers. They have two trainers per school. So United Reasonals provides that third trainer for them. Gotcha. And same with the MinimSU, so. I see. Yeah. But we're kind of solo out of their small schools. Yeah. speaker-0: Sure, sure. works together to get it done. And all the schools have some of their own trainers as well. What does that look like? speaker-1: Yes, like Legacy Memorial, they both have their own trainers. They have two trainers per school. So United Reasonals provides that third trainer for them. Gotcha. And same with the MinimSU. I see. Yeah. But we're kind of solo out of their small schools. So, We'll kind of take care of it all. Yeah. United Regional: We'll kind of take care of it all. Yeah, well, and I bet it's interesting as far as like being if you're at a school, you're probably building like tremendous relationships. The kids, the kids probably don't differentiate of, hey, this person works for United Regional, this person works for the school, that's where they, that's to you, to them, you know, you're, you're that, you're their athletic trainer. That's pretty cool. Pretty, I would assume pretty entrenched in the community and getting to know folks. is. speaker-0: Well, and I bet it's interesting as far as like being if you're at a school, you're probably building like tremendous relationships. The kids, the kids probably don't differentiate of, hey, this person works for United Regional. This person works with school. That's where they that's to you to them. You know, you're you're that you're their athletic trainer. Exactly. You know, that's pretty cool. Pretty, I would assume, pretty entrenched in the community and getting to know folks. speaker-1: And that's another thing too, a lot of people in the community will come up to you and say, hey Tim, you mind looking at my elbow? Or you might be an aunt or uncle or, they just know who you are because they see you all the time. And especially in a community like Winthorst, it's like, everybody knows who I am. So I've there so long, it's just, now I'm starting to see the kids of, the first kids that I've started training, now their kids are in high school or junior high and I'm like, yeah. United Regional: And that's another thing too, you know, lot of people in the community will come up to you and say, Hey, Tim, you by looking at my elbow or, you might be an aunt or uncle or, know, they just know who you are because they see you all the time. And especially in the community, like Winthorst, it's like, everybody knows who I am. So I've there so long. It's just, now I'm starting to see the kids of the first kids that I've started training. Now their kids are in high school or junior high. I'm like, 31 years. ⁓ speaker-0: 31 years speaker-1: But it's fun. ⁓ United Regional: But it's fun. Yeah. So what time would walk me through the day? A day in a life. And I guess it probably varies by season of what's going on. But what's what's a normal day look like for you guys? Go ahead. So typically, football's are busy. I tell this to everybody. Football's our busiest season, but we have a good grasp of the schedule. So like we know football practice at 6 a.m. I usually get there by 4.30 or 5 to get water, ice. speaker-0: Yeah. So what time would walk me through the day? A day in a life. ⁓ And I guess it probably varies by season of what's going on. But what's a normal day look like for you guys? speaker-1: Go ahead. speaker-2: ⁓ Typically, football's our busiest season, we have a good grasp of the schedule. So like we know football practice at 6 a.m. I usually get there by 4.30 or 5 to get water, ice, kids need tape before practice, rehab stuff. Go until school starts, then you have one or two athletic periods during the day. I know, I think Iowa Park has four athletic periods during the day. United Regional: Kids need tape before practice, rehab stuff. Go until school starts, then you have one or two athletic periods during the day. I know, I think Owl Park has four athletic periods during the day. And then you have after school practices, and then you got volleyball that coincides with football. So you have the two different. And then in spring, it's busy, but crazy busy, because you don't know baseball's playing today, softball plays tomorrow. ⁓ speaker-2: And then you have after school practices and then you got volleyball that coincides with football. So you have the two different. And then in spring, it's busy, but crazy busy. Cause you don't know baseball's playing today, softball plays tomorrow. ⁓ there was rain. We got to move the game. There's a track meet. ⁓ they move the track meet. Powerlifting. There's this, you know, it's just, where am I going today? Where am going tomorrow? But. United Regional: there was rain, we gotta move the game, there's a track meet, oh they moved the track meet. Power lifting, there's this, it's just where am I going today, where am going tomorrow? But it's- I love the juggling of schedules for sure. Yeah, I bet. And since we can't be there for sport, of course, we're available by, just call us up and we'll either see you when we get back to the school, or we'll see you tomorrow, or you know. And do you guys work, I'm assuming you work closely with like the ortho clinic. speaker-1: I love the juggling of schedules for sure. And since we can't be there for sport, of course, we're available by, just call us up and we'll either see you when we get back to the school, or we'll see you tomorrow, or... speaker-0: I'm And you guys work I'm assuming you work closely with like the ortho clinic ⁓ For referral someone tell me what that like full circle looks like I know especially now with the they've got like the walk-through Express and the walk-in on Saturday after football games And I mean that seems like that's fairly new but that that model seems incredible to me. Yeah United Regional: ⁓ for referrals. Tell me what that full circle looks like. I know especially now with the, they've got the Ortho Express and the walk-in on Saturday after football games. That's fairly new, but that model seems incredible to me. Yeah, it's been a great asset for the athletic trainers. Absolutely, yeah. Especially having that Saturday clinic. Walk me through that. For anybody that doesn't know what that is, what does that look like? If you have an injury during the week, it's... speaker-1: It's been a great asset for the athletic trainer. speaker-2: Absolutely. Yeah, especially having that Saturday clinic. speaker-0: Walk me through that if for anybody that doesn't know what that is, what does that look like? speaker-1: So, I mean if you have an injury during the week, I can just call up one of the dogs and hey, I got Johnny coming in to see you. They might need an x-ray. You might get them in and that's, anybody can walk into their clinic and get an x-ray. United Regional: I can just call up one of the docs and hey, got Johnny coming in to see you. They might need an x-ray. You might get them in. anybody can walk into their clinic and get an x-ray. And historically, they have to make an appointment, wait for a week, whatever it looked like. Unless it was an emergency room visit, they're going to make an appointment and wait for a week or two weeks. Versus now, they can be seen instantly, even on Saturday. speaker-0: And historically, they would have to make an appointment, wait for a week, two, whatever it looked like. Unless it was an emergency room visit, they're gonna make an appointment and wait for a week or two weeks versus now instantly, even on Saturday. During football season, right? So Friday night, everybody gets injured on Friday night, Saturday morning, go to the clinic and everybody gets treated. Man, that's incredible. speaker-1: Now they can be seen. United Regional: During football season. During football season, right? So Friday night everybody gets injured on Friday night, Saturday morning, go to the clinic and everybody gets treated. Exactly. Man, that's incredible. It's been great. The care has been phenomenal. Since we've heard of the walk-in clinic. Even now, like during the week, I can just say, hey, I don't know about this injury, let's get an x-ray. So can just call up one of our nurses or the docs and say, hey, I got him coming in. speaker-1: during football season. Exactly. It's been great. The care has been phenomenal. Since we've heard of the walk-in clinic. Even now, like during the week, I can just say, hey, I don't know about this injury. Let's get an x-ray. So I can just call up one of our nurses or the docs and say, hey, I got him coming in. Okay, I'll look for him. And then get a call back immediately. Hey Tim, this is what's going on with him. ⁓ United Regional: Okay, I'll look for him. then get a call back immediately, hey Tim, this is what's going on with him. So it's either I'll take it from there or do further diagnosis, like an MRI or whatever. Well, that Ortho Express is just incredibly community facing to me. It's one of those things that we always want to have a big front door. We can edit this out if I'm not supposed to share this, but I was actually in the... speaker-1: Either I'll take it from there or do further diagnosis, like an MRI or whatever. speaker-0: Well, let's think that that that ortho Express is just incredibly Community-facing to me. It's one of those things that you know, we always want to have a big front door. I actually They can we can edit this out if I'm not supposed to share this but I was actually in the I remember being in the meeting when Michael Gardner brought up and said hey I don't even remember who it was. He said somebody I've seen out there I remember which organization was is doing an ortho experience like just like care express or doing ortho express United Regional: I remember being in the meeting when Michael Gardner brought up and said, hey, I don't even remember who it was. He said, somebody I've seen out there, I remember which organization it was, doing an ortho express. It's like, just like Care Express, they're doing an ortho express. I remember him saying something along the lines of, there is no reason we can't do this and we could do this like quick and I think we should. And yeah, remember the senior leaders in the room and Johnny went like, yeah, what, let's do this. I mean, it was like. speaker-0: I remember him saying something along the lines of, is no reason we can't do this and we could do this like quick and I think we should. I remember the senior leaders in the room and Johnny went like, yeah, let's do this. I it was like, I mean, I don't remember the timeframe, it was quick. They said, let's try this out. And there was clearly a demand for it. That stuff makes me so proud. Like when our leaders go, hey, there's an opportunity here to serve our community better. Instead of all the excuses of why we shouldn't, was what I heard in that meeting was, United Regional: I mean, I don't remember the timeframe, but it was quick. They said, let's try this out. And there was clearly a demand for it. That stuff makes me so proud. Like when our leaders go, hey, there's an opportunity here to serve our community better. Instead of all the excuses of why we shouldn't, was what I heard in that meeting was why not? Let's do it. We can do this. then boom, and it's taken off. so it's cool thing to see. And what a service. What a service to the community to be able to, I mean, as a parent now, speaker-0: why not, let's do it, we can do this and then boom. And it's taken off and so it's a cool thing to see. What a service, what a service to the community. Absolutely. To be able to, I mean as a parent now, I would have loved to have it when I was in school but now as a parent even more so, to know that I can get my kid treated tomorrow morning or today versus call, set an appointment, wait two weeks, get there. United Regional: I would have loved to have it when I was in school, but now as a parent even more so, to know that I can get my kid treated tomorrow morning or today versus call, set an appointment, wait two weeks, get there, have to get another appointment scheduled for a scan. I this could go on for a month and you don't even know what's going on. So. And wait in the virtue room with all the sick and thrown up and whatever. For a minor orthopedic injury, it's a waste of resources, not where you want to be. speaker-0: have to get another appointment scheduled for a scan. I this could go on for a month and you know, you don't even know what's going on. speaker-1: Anyway, in the virtue room with all the sick and throwing up and yeah, whatever. speaker-0: You know, for a minor orthopedic injury, it's a waste of resources, not where you want to be. So yeah, I think it's a win all the way around, because it also gives some reprieve to the emergency department by not having minor orthopedic injuries coming in there. They go to Care Plus. It's a great thing, great thing. Let me ask this with all the long hours and, you know. United Regional: So yeah, I think it's a win all the way around because it also it gives some reprieve to the emergency department by not having minor orthopedic injuries coming in there. They go to Care Plus. It's a great thing. Great thing. Let me ask this with all the long hours and, you know, with athletic training sports don't cancel because it's real hot or real cold. So you guys are out there in the cold. You're out in the elements all day, late at night, early mornings. What drives you to do this? speaker-0: with athletic training, sports don't cancel because it's real hot or real cold. So you guys are out there in the cold, you're out in the elements all day, late at night, early mornings. What drives you to do this? First of all, guess let me ask what drew you to it and then what keeps you doing it for 31 years and six, right? Six years? United Regional: First of all, guess let me ask what drew you to it and then what keeps you doing it for 31 years and six, right? Six years? Yeah, I graduated from MSU in 12, so 14 years for me. 14 years. What keeps you guys going with this? To me, it's the kids. Yeah, absolutely. Just all their goofiness. Yeah. My big story is I went to school at Ryder when it was a high school. Graduated from Ryder, had some great trainers there. speaker-2: I graduated from MSU in 12, so 14 years for me. speaker-0: 14 years, what keeps you guys going with this? speaker-1: To me, it's the kids. Yeah. speaker-2: Absolutely. speaker-1: Just all their goofiness. speaker-2: ⁓ My big story is I went to school at Ryder when it was a high school, graduated from Ryder, had some great trainers there. One of my best friends got hurt at football practice. And of course the coaches back then are like, ⁓ suck it up, buttercup, know, just keep playing, keep playing. And I could tell he was hurt. And so I took him to the training room and he saw ⁓ Coach Winkles, great trainer. And Winkles took the time to listen to him, treat him like, United Regional: One of my best friends got hurt at football practice and of course the coaches back then are like I'll suck it up buttercup You know, just keep playing keep playing and I could tell he was hurt And so I took him to the training room and he saw ⁓ coach Winkles great trainer ⁓ and Winkles took the time to listen to him Treat him like an athlete that was hurt and not just like hey get back out there and so I saw that in him and It kind of like piqued my interest and then I've always been involved in sports. I played speaker-2: an athlete that was hurt and not just like, get back out there. And so I saw that in him and it kind of like piqued my interest. And then I've always been involved in sports. played in high school, played in college. I've always been around athletics and I kind of wanted to stay there. And then I took into consideration, you know, like making sure everyone was healthy to try to be the best athlete they could be. And I was like, I'd like to do that. United Regional: and high school played in college. I've always been around athletics and I kinda wanted to stay there. And then I took into consideration, know, like making sure everyone was healthy to try to be the best athlete they could be. And I was like, I'd like to do that. Yeah. I love that. I was intrigued by how an athlete could go to the trainer and they could just fill around, move it. ⁓ this is what's going on. It's like, how'd you know that? Yeah. speaker-1: Yeah. I was intrigued by how an athlete could go to the trainer and they could just fill around, move it. ⁓ this is what's going on. It's like, how did you know that? Yeah. What's going on here? How do you know that's what's going on? He's like, well, that's part of being an athletic trainer. And that's, that's the part that intrigued me when I was in high school and just watching them tape ankles and stuff. And I started off as a, as a freshman, as a manager, just a little bitty run running around and United Regional: what's going on here? How do you know that what's going on? He's like, well, that's part of being an athletic trainer. And that's the part that intrigued me when I was in high school and just watching them tape ankles and stuff. And I started off as a freshman, as a manager, just a little bitty run running around. And so I got to see the kind of the training room and watch these guys work. And the next year I was taping ankles and help him out. So yeah, that's how I got started. speaker-1: So I got to see the kind of the training room and watch these guys work. And the next year I was taping ankles and help him out. So yeah, that's how I got started. United Regional: So man, it really is like like having a good athletic trainer or therapist, physical therapist or anybody like that that understands the body can work with you. It's like a cheat code, man. Like sometimes I joke I had a physical therapist one time had worked on my my knee and it was just like immediately better. It's one of those things that just just immediately got better. And I was like, what are you a wizard? Like what just happened? This thing's been bothering me for, you know, so long. So it's really cool. You guys. speaker-0: So man, it really is like having a good athletic trainer or therapist, physical therapist or anybody like that that understands the body can work with you. It's like a cheat code, man. sometimes I joke, had a physical therapist one time had worked on my knee and it was just like immediately better. It was one of those things that just immediately got better. And I was like, what, are you a wizard? Like what just happened? This thing's been bothering me for so long. So it's really cool you guys. United Regional: work on those skills and develop that over time. And I'm sure there's a lot that is developed through you get educated, but then you spend time working on the stuff and figuring things out. And a lot of stuff has changed since I've been started off. Ongoing education. ⁓ yeah. There's new little tests to do, special tests for different things that wasn't even around when I was in college. Jeremy's like a book. He knows all these special tests. I'm like, he you know this test? I'm like. speaker-0: work on those skills and develop that over time. And I'm sure there's a lot that is developed through you get educated, but then you spend time working on this stuff and figuring things out. speaker-1: A lot of stuff has changed since I've started off. Ongoing education. Oh yeah. There's new little tests to do, special tests for different things that wasn't even around when I was in college. Jeremy's like a book. He knows all these special tests and I'm like, he you know this test? I'm like, I don't know what you're talking about. This must be a new thing. But he knows it. So that's the best part about having all of our guys working together is that we can, you speaker-0: There's no United Regional: I don't know what you're talking about. This must be a new thing, you know. But he knows it. And that's the best part about having all of our guys working together is that we can, you know, bounce ideas off each other. Hey, what do you think about this? One of my favorite phrases is, all of us is smarter than any one of us. You got a bunch of people that are willing to share. It's so helpful, man. It is so helpful. And get the group knowledge. Well, I love this. I think there's probably a lot of... speaker-2: when Bounce ideas are out. speaker-1: Hey, what do you think about this? speaker-0: One of my favorite phrases is, all of us is smarter than any one of us. You got a bunch of people that are willing to share. It's so helpful, man. It is so helpful. And get the group knowledge. Well, I love this. I think there's probably a lot of ⁓ folks at E &I Regional that don't even know that necessarily we have an athletic training program because you're not running around the hospital, you're out in the community. One of the things that ⁓ Corey has done as an organization is they United Regional: A lot of folks in our regional that don't even know that necessarily we have an athletic training program because you're not. Because we're never there. You're not running around the hospital. You're out in the community. know, of the things that Corey has done as an organization is they, you know, as we look at the the pillars of the organization, if you guys have seen, but they replaced the service pillar with the community pillar and not the service is going away. It's just community bettering better. speaker-1: Cause we're never there. speaker-0: ⁓ You know, as we look at the pillars of the organization, which you guys have seen, but they replaced the service pillar with the community pillar. And not that service is going away, it's just community better captures our heart of what we want to do. I think this is one of those, your program is a great example of being community minded and community focused, not just inside, you know, the brick and mortar United Regional Walls. You guys are almost never inside those walls. You're out. United Regional: Captures our heart of what we want to do. I think this is one of those your program is a great example sure of Being community minded and community focused not just inside, you know, the brick and mortar United regional walls You guys are almost never inside those walls. You're out quite literally embedded into the community working in the schools ⁓ Which is ⁓ making a huge difference and and really great stuff I'm proud to proud to be associated with it and huge. Thank you to you guys for what you're doing out there because I know speaker-0: quite literally embedded into the community, working in the schools, ⁓ which is ⁓ making a huge difference and really great stuff. I'm proud to be associated with it. And huge thank you to you guys for what you're doing out there. Cause I know there's a lot of long thankless hours in the cold and the heat doing all those things, but ⁓ you clearly have a heart for service. And so I thank you for that. So before we wrap up, ⁓ anything we haven't talked about today that you guys wanted to be sure and ⁓ bring up. United Regional: There's a lot of long thankless hours in the cold and the heat doing all those things But you clearly have a heart for service and so I thank you for that so before we wrap up any anything that we haven't talked about today that you guys wanted to be sure and and Bring up. I just wanted to mention that next month is I've let her training month, okay? So we get the whole month ⁓ speaker-1: I just wanted to mention that next month is athletic training month. So we get the whole month. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of people just get a week. You get a whole month. speaker-0: Go big, home well. So if you're out there, if you know any athletic trainers, be sure and wish them a happy athletic training month. If you guys get to do anything special, Jeremy can give you like a cupcake or something, anything. Pat on the back. There's no time for that. That's awesome. ⁓ United Regional: So if you're out there, if you know any athletic trainers, be sure and wish them a happy athletic training month. If you guys get to do anything special, Jeremy give you like a cupcake or something, anything. Pat on the back. We're too busy. There's no time for cupcakes. But it's fun. That's awesome. And it's athletic training across the month, so we get to see stories of what other people are doing. speaker-1: busy. But it's fun. We it's, you know, it's athletic training across the month. So we get to see stories of what other people are doing, you know, yeah, all the all the professional athletic trainers that are Yeah, for baseball trainers and yeah, they're getting ready to get kicked off. So all the MLB guys and so yeah, cool fun. United Regional: All the professional athletic trainers that are for baseball trainers. They're getting ready to get kicked off. So all the MLB guys. Yeah, very cool. It's fun. Thank you guys for spending a few minutes today talking me through what all you guys do and for sharing. And just for all the good work that you do on a daily basis. Appreciate you guys. Thank you. speaker-2: kind of the other side. speaker-0: Very cool. Thank you guys for spending a few minutes today ⁓ talking me through what all you guys do and for sharing and for all the good work that you do on a daily basis. you guys. speaker-2: Thank you.