Athletic Trainers Fee Waived for this School Year
Affects Mt. Abram, Mt. Blue, Jay, and Livermore Falls High Schools
August 23, 2010
Franklin Memorial Hospital's athletic trainers are (from left) Dan Waterman, Jr. and Jeremy Starbird.
In response to funding reductions faced by all area school districts, Franklin Memorial Hospital has announced that it will defer fees for the usual subcontracted athletic training coverage for Mt. Abram, Mt. Blue, Jay, and Livermore Falls High Schools.
According to Marie Wade, director of Physical Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Franklin Memorial Hospital, “Coverage will continue at the same level that each school had been receiving, which varies greatly. For example, Livermore Falls has a one-day service while Mt. Blue High School has an athletic trainer on duty every day after school and at most home games.”
The decision came after the MSAD 58 school board voted to eliminate the contracted position at Mt. Abram High School. A discussion then ensued among hospital administrators who decided to give back to the community and waive fees for all schools—an amount totaling approximately $25,000.
“Recognizing the value of athletic training coverage for area athletes, we decided to waive fees for all schools this year,” said Gerald Cayer, Franklin Memorial Hospital chief operating officer and Franklin Community Health Network executive vice president. “We are pleased to provide this support in the coming academic year. Districts are grappling with a budget crisis caused by dramatic cuts in state aid. I certainly appreciate the operational challenges they are faced with.”
Franklin Memorial Hospital’s athletic trainers (ATCs) are Dan Waterman, Jr. and Jeremy Starbird. Waterman provides his expertise to athletes at Mt. Blue and Livermore Falls High School, while Starbird works with Mt. Abram and Jay High School athletes. Each provides game and practice coverage, which enables them to provide immediate medical attention when an athlete is injured. ATCs also provide guidance and assistance to coaches during preseason conditioning and throughout the season.
During the course of a typical school year, Waterman and Starbird collectively provide approximately 1,300 treatments for athletes who have been injured or are experiencing pain. They manage the care of injuries such as ankle sprains, concussions, knee injuries, and fractures while coordinating treatment with other health care providers such as primary care physicians, emergency department providers, orthopaedic surgeons, and physical therapists.
Waterman and Starbird also staff the hospital’s weekly Sports Medicine Clinic along with orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Nancy Cummings and a physical therapist. The clinic takes place every Wednesday starting with 8:30 a.m. appointments at Franklin Health Orthopaedics. The medical practice is located in the Franklin Health Medical Arts Center on the hospital’s campus.
Franklin Memorial Hospital has been providing athletic training services for school sports programs since 1992.
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