High school athletic programs receive funding from Reid Health Community Engagement

Dec. 30, 2024 -- Nine area high schools received funding from Reid Health Community Engagement for athletic supplies to help prevent or care for sports-related injuries. The $15,000 total donation will reach 2,394 student-athletes this year.

"Our schools need supplies on hand to help keep student-athletes safe and treat any injuries," said Jess Przybysz, Director of Reid Health Community Health and Engagement.

"Through our partnership with local school districts, we're pleased to help students work toward their goals, develop healthy habits through exercise, and to relieve financial burden for the teams and parents."

Reid Health additionally provides a certified athletic trainer for each of the school districts and covers the costs of their salaries and benefits, an investment of over a $1 million for the benefit of our local schools and student-athletes. Reid's athletic trainers are assigned to a school district, and they presented the donation to their school's athletic director.

Funds can be used for purchases or reimbursement on items such as athletic tape for injury prevention and maintenance, injury treatment items, rehabilitation equipment, hydration supplies, disinfectants, wound care supplies, and more.

High schools receiving the donation included Centerville, Connersville, Hagerstown, Lincoln, Northeastern, Richmond, Seton, Union City, and Winchester.

Jesse Tittle, Manager of Sports Medicine and Reid Fitness, said Reid's Athletic Trainers often work long hours to be available to student-athletes and provide care.

"In an era where Athletic Trainers are scarce nationally, Reid provides Athletic Trainers at no charge to nine school systems, demonstrating a strong commitment to delivering quality care to the youth in the community," Tittle said.

"The funds are crucial for our school districts, as they provide essential financial support for purchasing necessary supplies, enabling Reid's Certified Athletic Trainers to do what they do best, provide quality healthcare to student-athletes."

Athletic Trainers are at practices and home games throughout the season. Often the first line of healthcare, the Athletic Trainers help with preventive exercises and routines, evaluate injuries and other medical situations as they occur, provide follow-up care with injury treatments and rehabilitation, help make return to play decisions, and provide a referral source when additional imaging and diagnostics are needed. Athletic Trainers are state licensed and nationally board certified, and have an orthopedic skillset to help gauge muscle, ligament, and bone health.

At the start of each athletic season, the Athletic Trainers proctor baseline ImPACT testing to student athletes. These tests help provide Reid Health's Certified ImPACT Providers another tool to help assess concussions and make sure of a safe return to sport following a brain injury. Reid Health Foundation supports the baseline testing.