Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I received a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Lasell University and a master’s degree in Kinesiology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I'm currently finishing a doctoral degree in health professions education here at Simmons University.
Tell us about your role at Simmons.
Along with two other colleagues, the Sports Medicine Department oversees all injury evaluation, rehabilitation services, and direct medical care for each of our student-athletes. Through our team physicians at Beth Israel Hospital, we work collaboratively with the Health Center, Counseling Center, Office of Accessibility Services, and Office of Student Life to coordinate additional care that may arise throughout a student-athletes time here at Simmons. In addition, we work with strength and conditioning coaches to oversee the injury prevention and sports performance for each student-athlete.
What's your favorite thing about Simmons Athletics?
The athletics staff and their commitment to student-athlete success, in both their sport and in the classroom, is my favorite thing about Simmons Athletics. The dedication each staff member has on our collective success makes for a fun and exciting environment to be a part of.
What makes Simmons Athletics unique?
Having worked in collegiate athletics for over a decade, Simmons' athletics program stands apart from many of our competitors in terms of resources made available to our student-athletes. Despite being a smaller division III program, the level of services we provide to our student-athletes is above what many similar division III programs can offer their student-athletes: direct access to sports nutritionist and sports dietician, strength and conditioning programs for each team, and a vast network of providers through our team physicians, to name a few.
What inspired you to work in your field?
I always had an interest in working in the healthcare field. Having played sports my whole life, a career that allowed me to work with individuals to achieve their highest level of potential in their sport was a natural fit. To be involved in a student-athletes return from an injury or simply working toward improving their abilities on and off the field/court/pool is a rewarding feeling.
What advice would you give to students considering becoming student-athletes?
Choosing a college or university to attend is an important decision that is often stressful. Think about what your interests are in terms of a future career, what the institution offers that align with your personal interests, and what the athletics program has to offer you as a prospective student-athlete.
Here at Simmons, a prestigious institution with distinguished programs, in the heart of Boston, with an equally competitive athletics programs, we're fortunate to have many students interested in becoming members of our teams. If you are serious about pursuing a professional career while continuing your athletic career, find the institutions that can offer you both experiences at a high level.
How can students get in contact with you?
Students can visit the Simmons athletics website for information to contact me or other members of our Sports Medicine Department.
If we visited your office, what would we see?
We have a number of rehabilitation equipment, treatment modalities, and teaching models around our Sports Medicine room. Having several clinical students and student-interns from surrounding institutions with us throughout the academic year, there are always a number of friendly faces coming and going from our office area.
What's your favorite thing to do in Boston?
In the summertime, I enjoy visiting the restaurants in the North End.
Who are your favorite sports teams?
I follow all nine of our current varsity teams here at Simmons, equal favorites among all of them.