This school year, students in Volusia County are getting a new athletic trainer courtesy of AdventHealth's new $2 million partnership with the Volusia County school system to provide coordinated care for the 5,000 student-athletes.
Erik Nason, AdventHealth's sports medicine outreach coordinator and current president of the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida, will lead the charge when it comes to helping the student-athletes of Volusia County. Through his leadership and the partnership with AdventHealth, Nason will work with the local schools current athletic trainers to develop and enhance several programs across all of Volusia County's sports programs.
Initiatives to Foster Health
Nason will work with the existing teams and programs to ensure a smooth roll-out of these new initiatives county-wide:
- Certifying athletic trainers to use the ImPACT Concussion Management software to ensure that student-athletes that have sustained a concussion are ready to go back to learning, socializing, and playing sports
- Supporting schools athletic trainers to cover the needs of student-athletes and provide referral services for medical care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, after an injury or illness
- Providing free yearly physicals for student-athletes that are required by the Florida High School Athletic Association to play sports
A New Resource for Volusia County Student-Athletes
Nason will act as a liaison with the schools to streamline and coordinate care for student athletes, along with improving concussion protocols.
AdventHealth is dedicated to ensuring that students in all of the communities we serve are given the best chance they can have at a healthy future and a great learning and playing experience, said Nason. By providing these resources we hope to not only cut down on absenteeism, ensure the safety of the kids, and give them the resources and materials they need to be successful, but also to create an environment conducive to whole health and well-being. And with any luck, they'll take with them what they've learned and apply it to the rest of their lives.
About Erik Nason
Erik Nason is AdventHealth's sports medicine outreach coordinator and current president of The Athletic Trainers Association of Florida. In his new role with AdventHealth, Nason will lead the charge when it comes to helping the student-athletes of Volusia County stay healthy. Through his leadership and the partnership with AdventHealth, Nason will work with the local schools current athletic trainers to develop and enhance several programs across all of Volusia Countys sports programs.
Nason earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Athletic Training from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. He also earned a Master of Science in Physical Education/Athletic Training from Illinois State University and a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
He is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association. Nason is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Furthermore, Nason is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida (ATAF).
To learn more about AdventHealth's historic partnership with Volusia County Schools, watch this video.
