The Tipton Hospital Sports Medicine Program is a team approach to quality medical care for local student athletes. All the resources of the hospital are available as health professionals work with young athletes and their parents to achieve our goal:

To prevent sports injuries whenever possible, and to return the injured athlete to his or her pre-injury state as quickly and safely as possible.

The program provides:

• Team Physician
• Athletic Trainer
• School Sports Physicals (at the end of school year)
• Education for Coaches and Student Trainers
• Emergency Medical Care (at Tipton Hospital)
• Rehabilitation
• Nutritional Counseling
• Student Trainer Program

Trainer
Carrie Shortridge, PTA, LAT, ATC, is the athletic trainer for Tri-Central High School. She graduated from Manchester College with a B.S. degree in Pre-Med and a minor in Athletic Training. She also has an Associate of Science degree as a physical therapy assistant from the University of Indianapolis. Carrie is a member of the National Athletic Trainer's Association and has experience working with both collegiate and high school athletic programs.

Parent & Athlete Tips
Participation in a sport can be a wonderful experience for your child. It can provide regular physical exercise and enhance your child's sense of self-esteem. Plus, it's fun! To make the most of the experience, observe these tips:

• Make sure your child has proper equipment and knows how to use it.
• Remember that healthy eating and sufficient sleep are particularly important during the season.
• Warm-up exercises and cool-down should be done before and after practice and competition.
• If you have questions or concerns, contact your child's coach, your family physician, or the Tipton Hospital Sports Medicine Department at (765) 675-8561.