Bingham Memorial Hospital (BMH) is pleased to announce that one of their certified athletic trainers, Katrina Carl, was instrumental in helping Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls receive the Safe Sports School award from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). The award recognizes secondary schools around the United States that champion safety and take crucial steps to keep young athletes free from injuries.

With the support of Katrina, a certified athletic trainer with Bingham Memorial’s Orthopedic Institute, Bonneville High School is now the second school in eastern Idaho to receive this designation. (Last month, Ririe High School received this designation with the support of Bingham Memorial’s Orthopedic Institute.) This award gives Bonneville High School the national and local community recognition it deserves for creating a safer environment for their student athletes. The award also reinforces the importance of providing baseline concussions and the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.

“With the acceptance of the Safe Sports School award, Bonneville High School is yet another regional high school setting a positive example that other schools and sports leagues in the area can follow,” said Katrina. “I’m proud that Bonneville High School is being recognized as a leader in sports safety because they are concerned with its student athletes and their care.”

“Bonneville High School is honored to receive this 1st Team* recognition from NATA,” said Dale Gardner, athletic director at Bonneville High School. “We remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices, and games so they can accomplish their own goals of academic achievement, great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship, and good health. Our goal is to maintain our athletics program at the highest safety standards for our players, and we’re grateful for Bingham Memorial’s Orthopedic Institute and Katrina for helping us to achieve these standards.”

Nationally certified and Idaho-licensed athletic trainers with Bingham Memorial’s Orthopedic Institute provide complete sports medicine coverage, including free injury assessments, for student athletes at 14 eastern Idaho high schools. These services include support with taping, bracing, and the use of other protective equipment. They consult with student athletes and parents regarding questions about personal health, nutrition, and fitness. The trainers also work with the school to develop an emergency action plan that ensures timely and coordinated response to a serious injury during a game or practice.

The team at Bingham Memorial’s Orthopedic Institute also assists schools in following all state and national guidelines to allow for the student athlete’s safe return to the sport following an injury. Additionally, they provide athletic training services to each school during the school year. Coaches have the opportunity to receive First Aid and CPR training along with other coaching education on injury prevention and care. Student athletes’ in grades 9 through 12 can also receive a free pre-participation physical exam.

“This award recognizes the commitment of Bonneville High School to implement safe sports policies and best practices to ensure their athletes can do what they love best and have the appropriate care in place to prevent, manage, and treat injuries should they occur,” said Jake Erickson, assistant administrator at BMH. “But, this award also reaffirms the stand that Bingham Memorial’s Orthopedic Institute team is taking—going the extra mile to guarantee the safety of the student athletes throughout eastern Idaho. Plus, they’re making it a priority to encourage all of the schools that we work with to aspire to this level of safety for their student athletes.”

*1^st Team is awarded to schools that act on all of the recommended and required elements. In order for Bonneville High School to achieve the 1^st Team Safe Sports School designation, their athletic program had to follow a rigorous program and create policies that are outlined on NATAs website:

http://www.nata.org/advocacy/youth-sports-safety/safe-sports-schools