Lauren Ford begins her first year as the assistant athletic trainer at the University of the Ozarks. She was hired in July (2023).

Responsibilities

• Assist with the day-to-day athletic training operations, which includes over 300 student-athletes and 20 teams
• Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness in order to provide emergency or continued care, and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment
• Care for athletic injuries using physical therapy equipment, techniques, and medication
• Evaluate athletes' readiness to play, and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted
• Apply protective or injury preventive devices
• Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches and physicians
• Collaborate with physicians in order to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries
• Plan and implement comprehensive athletic injury and illness prevention programs
• Develop training programs and routines designed to improve athletic performance
• Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, and community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries

Previous Experience

• Oral Roberts University (2023)
• Northeastern State University (2022)
• Pryor, Oklahoma, school district (2021)
• Big XII Men's Wrestling Championships (2023)
• OSU Medical Center - OMM, Family Medicine, Emergency Room, Radiology, Orthopedic Surgery (2022)
• Advanced Orthopedics Clinic (2022)

Professional License and Certifications

• NATABOC
• Oklahoma Athletic Training Apprentice
• American Heart Association CPR/AED

Education

• Bachelor's degree in sports and coaching science from Oklahoma State University (2020)
• Master's degree in athletic training from Oklahoma State University (2023)

Hometown

• Hartford, Arkansas