Wrap-Around Care from the Courtside to the Clinic

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) State B Basketball Tournament brought teams across Washington to the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in early March. Throughout the four-day tournament, sports medicine team – including athletic trainers and sports medicine physicians – were stationed on the sidelines to help assess, prevent and treat any injuries before, during and after every game.

Athletes with sprains, strains and other concerns received timely care thanks to the expertise of the sports medicine team. This partnership with WIAA is just one of the many ways that Shriners Children’s provides support directly where young athletes need it – mirroring the care Shriners Children's Spokane’s certified athletic trainers (ATCs) provide to thousands of students across several high schools.

Through partnerships with Spokane Public Schools, Mead School District and West Valley District, Shriners Children’s Spokane has eight full-time ATCs at several regional high schools. They diagnose and treat sports-related injuries, develop personalized rehabilitation plans, and collaborate with the rest of Shriners Children’s Spokane’s sports medicine team to ensure student-athletes return to play safely.

“We’re not just treating athletes. We’re treating young people, students and humans," said Keith Eggleston, Roger High School’s ATC. “Athletes are far more complicated than five to ten years ago. We might see athletes that have two to three injuries going on at once.”

Whether they’re on the field or in the clinic, ATCs help keep athletes safe. If there is an injury or condition that requires extra orthopedic intervention, ATCs can refer athletes to Shriners Children’s comprehensive sports medicine program, where in-clinic ATCs, sports medicine physical therapists and sports medicine staff work together to support a safe, comprehensive return-to-play care regimen.

“There’s never a dull moment. I get to hang out with physicians, physical therapists, other athletic trainers and surgeons to create rehab plans for our athletes,” explained Shawn Semb, ATC in the sports medicine gym. “Our athletic trainers in the community work with students, and when they need our care, we can seamlessly set up their appointment. We get kids seeing physicians and into physical therapy sooner than they normally would somewhere else.”

By offering consistent support and smooth, streamlined access to care, Shriners Children’s Spokane remains a vital resource for young athletes in the Spokane community and beyond.