LAKEVILLE, IN. - A love of sports and a high school athletic injury helped new LaVille Athletic Trainer Janelle Christensen decide what she wanted to do with her life. Christensen will be the new face on the Lancer sidelines and inside the Athletic Trainer's office come time for the student-athletes to return for fall sports on July 29. "I actually decided I wanted to do Athletic Training before I ever saw my Athletic Trainer in high school," explained Christensen. "I never really went to see my Athletic Trainer during my high school career. However, I always loved sports and wanted to be in the healthcare field. I remember looking up careers and saw Physical Therapy and also Athletic Training. So, it was between those occupations. What really sealed the deal on Athletic Training was when I was a senior in high school and I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and went to Physical Therapy. It was there that I was able to get a glimpse at what their day was like. I was interested, but I did not like the fact that they were inside and in a clinic all day. So, I decided on Athletic Training and never looked back." Christensen comes to LaVille after graduating from Allendale Public Schools in Allendale, Michigan in 2014. From there, she received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in April of 2018. She then moved on to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she graduated in May of 2020 with a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Christensen played soccer and basketball throughout middle school and high school. She also played collegiate soccer at Alma College for four years. According to Christensen, she comes to LaVille from a school of similar size in Ohio. "While applying for jobs I was looking at places closer to where my parents live (Allendale, MI.) and saw an opening at Beacon Health System. I was working at a small school in Ohio just about the same size as LaVille. I loved working at that school because of all the wonderful connections and how close everyone is. While I was interviewing for this position I felt right at home while talking to all the other Athletic Trainers and my coordinator. I thought LaVille would be a perfect place because of the small and tight community that I heard about." Athletic Trainers are the first line of defense for student-athletes, and even spectators. Be it a sprain, a break, a concussion . . . when a student athlete is injured, they need access to immediate care. Athletics trainers are trained and qualified to treat emergency needs. "Our role is to implement prevention programs for the athletes," said Christensen. "But when someone does get hurt we are there to provide that initial care and rehab. We are also that connection between the athletes/parents for if they may need further referral to any other healthcare provider. I believe we not only work with those musculoskeletal injuries, but a lot of the time the athletes need someone to listen and talk to. I have always had an open door policy where we can talk about anything that’s on an athlete's mind." Christensen, who takes over for Trista Hartman, says that when a student faces an injury and tends to be hesitant about seeing the Athletic Trainer to remember that she is there to help them. "Truthfully I was that athlete," explained Christensen. "So I know exactly where these kids are coming from. I always tell them that my priority is their health. I will never hold anyone out of practice/games for no reason. The biggest issue with not seeing me about an injury or even a small nagging pain is if they wait too long or think it will go away soon, whatever that small pain is will get worse and eventually they will have to be held out. This normally comes when the pain is unbearable and has to see a doctor. So, I always want to be on top of any small thing no matter what it is, to make sure everyone is healthy and playing." Christensen says that she evaluates a patient's readiness to return to play in a couple different areas. "So, I look at this in 2 different parts," said Christensen, who has a cat named Tigger. "I look at physical readiness and mental readiness. Physically there are certain movements and activities I want the athlete to perform before putting them back on the field. This of course looks different for every injury, sport, and person. Mentally, it can be hard to come back from an injury, even scary. I want to make sure that every athlete is in the right mindset before putting them into an unsafe situation." With Christensen being a part of Beacon Bone Joint, she has access to physicians and other Beacon medical professionals to provide comprehensive care. Parents/guardians, coaches, and athletes have peace of mind knowing that they will have access to the best and most integrated care available. Whether facilitating rehab in conjunction with physical therapists or helping an athlete’s parent/guardian decide on the urgency of care, the Beacon Bone and Joint certified athletic trainers are with their team beyond the game. "I’m really excited to be here and have already enjoyed everyone I have met so far," concluded Christensen, who has a sister who is also an Athletic Trainer in Indiana.