With the departure of former athletic trainer MG Pogue at the end of the 2010 school year, the position was filled by San Jose State University (SJSU) graduate student Amy Greenhaw, ATC. Her replacing MG is a result of SJSU’s contract with LAHS for the graduate students to be contracted to the school on a one-to-two year basis as a part of the students’ graduate program. The Talon asked Greenhaw a few questions to introduce our athletic trainer to the school.

Q: How has your experience at LAHS been so far?

A: I have truly enjoyed working at LAHS for the past year and a half. The administrative staff is very supportive and the athletes are a joy to work with.

Q: What has drawn you to a career in athletic training?

A: I became interested in athletic training when I was an injured high school athlete and wanted to know how to care for myself. When I looked into it, I found out that athletic training is a wonderful and exciting way to embrace how the body functions and heals itself while providing health care services to the physically active population.

Every day brings new challenges and I am able to work with many different types of athletes, sports and settings.

Q: What is your opinion on LAHS’s policy of hiring athletic trainers for only two years?

A: Unfortunately, only 40 percent of high schools in California have access to an athletic trainer on a regular basis. With that in mind, it is a privilege both for myself and the athletes I care for that LAHS has been able to hire an athletic trainer.

If the situation arises, however, I would be willing and glad to stay longer than two years. This would create more consistency for the athletes, coaches, athletic trainer and support staff as well as develop stronger relationships with all parties involved.

Q: Describe day-to-day activities, what you do, what it’s normally like in the room.

A: I come to work in early afternoon to restock supplies, make phone calls, do paperwork and prepare for treatments to be administered that day. Athletes come in about an hour before practice begins to have new injuries evaluated, do rehabilitative exercises for established injuries, get taped, or get the team’s water ready for a game. Team practice times are staggered throughout the afternoon so I have a steady stream of patients to assist.

Next, I attend the sporting event being held that day to be able to respond if someone gets hurt during the game. At the end of the day, I fill out paperwork regarding the day’s injuries and treatments, organize and sanitize the room and equipment, and put ice outside the door in case it is needed before I return the next afternoon.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: I plan to continue working with high school athletes and educating youth about concussions.