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WIU Athletic Training students are gaining real-world experience with a new injury prevention and rehabilitation clinic at Western Illinois University.
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The new Injury Clinic at WIU will serve Western's ROTC cadets to help enable them to stay healthy while training.
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Athletic Training Program Opens Injury Clinic for Military Science Cadets

April 23, 2019

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's Departments of Kinesiology and Military Science will partner to open an injury prevention and rehabilitation clinic to serve military science cadets and offer hands-on training opportunities to athletic training students.

Department of Kinesiology Chair Renee Polubinsky explained that over the last several years, certified athletic trainers have been increasingly employed by various branches of the Armed Forces to assist in the health and welfare of both active duty soldiers and their dependents.

"I am so happy we finally got this off the ground because the Injury Clinic will allow athletic training students the opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience working with a unique population, the 'tactical athlete.' This is another excellent example of groups working together to make a difference for the students of WIU," said Polubinsky.

"As the Army develops combat-focused fitness, we want the cadets to train and perform like professional athletes," said LTC Joan Sommers, Department of Military Science chair. "Having athletic trainers on site during physical fitness training increases performance and enables ROTC cadets to stay healthy. I am excited to partner with the Department of Kinesiology to facility a holistic fitness approach to our cadets at Western."

Lacy Chapel, kinesiology instructor and coordinator of clinical education for athletic training, was tasked with working with both departments to get everything lined up to coordinate the partnership. Dr. Michael Waters serves as the supervisory physician.

"This has been a positive experience for the students and the cadets," said Chapel. "As athletic trainers, our main focus is to provide the highest level of quality care to the people we serve. We are excited to continue to grow our relationship and serve the cadets and Military Science Department as their healthcare providers."

The clinic is open for appointments and walk-ins for athletic training and University dance theatre students from 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays in the Brophy Hall Athletic Training Lab.

Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing