The Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) Summer Institute was held July 14–18 and welcomed 17 students for hands-on sessions at Moravian’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center.
Students were able to network with expert faculty and spend time perfecting their clinical skills in areas including manual therapy for the upper extremity and spine, advanced modalities, advanced concussion evaluation and management, performing arts medicine, and more. Hear from some of the students who were part of this year’s cohort:
Brittany Braun G’25
Athletic trainer, KBR, Inc., Virginia Beach
After leaving a position as an athletic trainer at a small college, Braun held athletic training positions for various branches of the United States military, including the Army, Air Force, and Navy. For the past three years she has lived in Virginia Beach and now works as an athletic trainer at KBR, Inc., partnering with government and industry clients.
For Braun, the DAT Summer Institute is about learning new skills and applying them to her everyday life.
“It’s been great. You learn so many skills and get access to modalities you’ve never worked with before,” she says. So many people in the military suffer from back pain, which led Braun to take a course this summer that focuses on treating the spine. Braun has used the skills she learned with her own clients.
Why Moravian? “I chose Moravian because of the instructors they have on staff. The instructors are some of the best in the country in my opinion. Their knowledge is invaluable.”
Superman Berrow G’26
Owns B4 Club Therapy in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Berrow used to be an assistant athletic trainer for a college but left to start his own business in July 2018. Half of his clientele are retirees who are active in sports such as golfing. The other half are high school athletes. Berrow also provides athletic training services to rural high schools.
Berrow says the professors teaching the summer program recognize that participants are already seasoned professionals. Their approach helps participants come away with refined skills and new ideas.
“The program helped me to be more confident, gain new ideas in how to approach rehab, and allowed me to collaborate more with other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists, physicians, and chiropractors.”
Why Moravian? “The dual MBA offering was appealing. It’s flexible enough with my schedule. They’re very understanding if an emergency happens. It’s nice to make connections with other athletic trainers.”
Amanda Sharp G’25
Athletic trainer for Cane Bay High School in Summerville, South Carolina.
Sharp treats about 1,000 athletes in almost every sport, from preventing injuries, to evaluations, and helping them return to the field after rehabilitation.
Sharp says the program helped her fine-tune the skills she learned as an undergrad. The Summer Institute provided an opportunity to connect with her classmates face-to-face. “It was cool to interact with these people and learn their stories.”
Why Moravian? “I like the aspect of the online component where I can still have a full-time job,” says Sharp, who has a husband and four-year-old at home. “All the faculty are very open and welcoming. . . . and flexible. They understand their program is directed toward people like myself who have to work.”