The Baltimore Area Sports Health Initiative (BASH) is dedicated to enriching its mission by supporting diversity within the athletic training profession. An environment that is culturally and ethnically diverse is a necessity to best serve the needs of patients and practicing athletic trainers. Increasing the number of ethnically diverse athletic trainers in the workforce begins with recruiting diverse populations to athletic training education programs. Early exposure to different career options is important to career development. Some students have never been exposed to an athletic trainer, and don’t know it is a career option. A student having no background or introduction to specific sports health careers, is common. Introducing the many facets of sports health and wellness to the students early, can guide them towards successful careers. The recent degree transition in athletic training allows for more opportunities to expose potential clinicians to the field. The sports job showcase takes advantage of this time period to target ethnically diverse students and introduce the athletic training to them. Through a series of videos, podcasts, and shared information the unique jobs in sports health will be highlighted for the Baltimore community. All content will be available for distribution across the country. This grant will cover the Athletic Training video portion of the larger BASH Sports Jobs Showcase.
The Baltimore Area Sports Health Initiative “BASH” was formed in June 2020 by Collin Francis, an Athletic Trainer at the Baltimore Ravens. It was created with the mission to advance the healthcare provided for athletes in the Baltimore Area. BASH’s vision is to be an innovative leader in the education and advocacy of sports related health. The first organization of its kind, BASH is leading the way in growing the efficacy and accessibility of sports health through education, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Sports Job Showcase will educate the audience on unique jobs in sports. Exposing children to more avenues for success through careers they might not have heard of. BASH will use the Perseverance Award to advocate for appropriate medical care for all athletes. Annually highlighting two high school athlete’s journey from injury or adversity to return to play. This award will not only showcase the athletes’ determination, but also emphasize what can result from an athlete having access to a comprehensive sports medicine team. Interdisciplinary collaboration between sports health professionals is an essential part of care. The BASH Sports Health Network is for Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists, Mental Health Clinicians, Physicians, Strength Coaches, Chiropractors, etc. All professionals motivated to share knowledge and ideas. The Board of Directors is made up of members from most facets of sports health.
BASH has been the driving force behind articulation agreements between Morgan State University and Towson University, and Coppin State University and Frostburg State University. These agreements reserve a spot in the Athletic Training Education Programs for one graduate of the respective HBCU. Allied Health Academies will be formed at these institutions which will include Pre-Athletic Training, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Strength and Conditioning academic tracks. BASH continues to advocate for adoption of this program at historically black colleges across the country.
The Board of Directors:
Collin Francis, MS, LAT, ATC Assistant Athletic Trainer Baltimore Ravens
Ian Thomas NFL Player Carolina Panthers
Liza McHugh DPT, ATC, CMPT Physical Therapist Kennedy Krieger Ins.
Rachel Moore M. Ed, LAT, ATC Athletic Trainer The Bullis School
Keenan D Harrell Community Relations Baltimore Ravens
Justin Lima, Ph.D. Dir. Of Football Performance Towson University
Daryl Nelson MS, LAT, ATC Associate Athletic Trainer New England Patriots
Cassondra Lyko BSN Registered Nurse Mercy Medical
Allison Fillar, MD Orthopedics and Sports Union Memorial
Kathryn Rowe M Ed, LCPC Mental Skills Coordinator Baltimore Orioles
Alan K Sokoloff, DC Team Chiropractor Baltimore Ravens
Anthony DiCicco, RD Club Dietitian/Chef Portland Timbers
Sean Swetnam, CSCS Strength and Conditioning Concordia University