The new 4×8 schedule that Bear River has adopted this year allows for the introduction of new classes. Next year, Bear River is considering whether to offer a sports medicine program if enough students sign up for the class.
This program is already being offered at Nevada Union. Jamie Wise, the director of the pathway, explained how it is set up there and what Bear River students might expect.
“The program has grown to a three-course pathway with the first two courses being one period long and the advanced Internship class, which is two periods long with over 200 students,” Wise stated. “The courses that we offer are Skills for Health Careers/Sports Medicine 1-1, Sports Medicine 1-2 and Advanced Sports Medicine Internship class.”
Students will encounter many different subject areas as they progress through the program.
“The skills class teaches the students about anatomy, physiology, the body system, and all the various careers associated with the medical field and students can be 9-12,” Wise said. “The Sports Medicine class teaches the bony and muscular anatomy of the body, along with the physiology that pertains to specific injuries.
“The Sports Medicine course teaches treatment and rehabilitation of athletic-related injuries, also the evaluation of all joints. The advanced class is an internship class where the students are offered the opportunity to work as an intern in either Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Sierra Nevada Ambulance Service, physical therapy clinics, chiropractors office, podiatry clinics or as a student trainer for one of our interscholastic sports here at NU.”
The class provides hands-on work for students so that they can be career ready by the end of high school. Wise conveyed how they are also taught how to help fellow student-athletes.
“We have a student training program here at NU that puts students into various sports teams at school and they act as their trainers,” Wise emphasized. “When the students are with the teams they will get their athletes ready for practice and games by taping, treating, getting water and taking care of any other needs that come up.
“Student trainers usually assist the certified athletic trainer or the coach with applying any first aid needed or tending to any injuries that occur. I allow any student that is on any of the pathways to becoming a student trainer and gathers experience before they get to the advanced class.”
Wise originally started up the sports medicine program at Nevada Union around 15 years ago. Since then, many students were able to follow their passions and start working in the medical field.
“When I started the advanced internship class I wanted students to be able to get a taste of what it is like to be in the medical field and actually see if it is something they wanted to go to school or a certificate program for,” Wise stated. “When students leave this program I hope that they have the knowledge to help guide them into a medical career that they want to achieve.”
One of the students who followed his program and ended up in the medical field was Shannon Busse.
“I took the program myself when I went to Nevada Union and Jamie Wise has been my mentor since then,” Busse said. “I also went to Long Beach State and became a certified athletic trainer. He has been a big part of my pathway in trying to get this program going.”
Busse is now trying to get the program set up at Bear River and wants to apply for the position if the course is offered.
“It would give the athletes some first aid care and injury care at the games, which is a huge benefit for the student-athletes at Bear River,” Busse said. “It would also benefit students who are thinking about pursuing a career in the health field and give them the opportunity to explore that and maybe even get an internship. That way they can see if that’s what they really want to do after high school. “
Busse is working with Principal Chris Roberts to get the program started at Bear River, but that requires student interest.
“For this to happen at Bear River we need students to sign up for the courses!” Roberts said. “Students can enroll in Skills for Health Careers and Sports Medicine 1-2 for the 2023-24 school year. If we have enough students to sign up for the courses, we’ll be able to offer them.”
Roberts is thrilled to have a new pathway offered for Bear River students. If this class is accepted, students will have the opportunity to work closely with those in the medical field and be career ready by the time they leave high school. Roberts believes this class will be a wonderful addition to Bear River.
“We are excited to offer these courses next year,” Roberts said. “It’s now up to the students to show us that they’re excited, too by signing up for these classes. On the 4×8 schedule, students have extra room in their schedule to have extra electives. Take advantage of that and try something new.”
