Putting Education to Work

O F S H S U

“There have been many days of lack of sleep and hard work, but I wouldn’t have wanted anyone in my spot.”—Burke

Victoria Pineda

B T ear heir ats B ol ly E ucation P utting To Wor

Victoria Pineda, a 2018 graduate of the Sam Houston State University Athletic Training Program, was working as a high school athletic trainer for the Houston Methodist system before the COVID-19 health emergency shuttered operations around the world. Now, Pineda is putting her athletic training background to work on the frontlines of the pandemic by serving alongside the doctors and nurses who are treating patients in the ICU at Houston Methodist Sugarland Campus.

“It was an interesting transition going from athletic training injuries to the ICU,” Pineda said. “I don’t think people give credit to athletic trainers. They do more than wrap ankles and hand out water. They are first on the scene for potentially serious and life-threatening injuries.”

She is joined by alumna, Cassidy Burke (’19) and faculty member, Hope Parker, as more and more athletic trainers put their education and unique skill set into action.

Experience, both in simulations and in clinical settings, allows students to work with a variety of patients and medical issues. All athletic training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education require students to complete clinical rotations in non-orthopedic settings.

“We spend a great deal of time focused on the delivery of patient-centered care and healthcare delivery,” Mary Williams, SHSU Athletic Training program director said. “This training allows students to develop the skills that are necessary to work in interdisciplinary teams and how to practice collaboratively while also maintaining a mutual respect for the varied scopes of practice across healthcare professions.”

This pandemic has given many professionals, such as athletic trainers, an opportunity to serve their community in new ways.

“There have been many days of lack of sleep and hard work, but I wouldn’t have wanted anyone in my spot,” Burke said. “I stand by patients when their family can’t and although they can’t see, they can hear, so we try and encourage the patient as much as we can. Being able to see patients turn around for the best is so exciting and so encouraging.”★

Cassidy Burke