EXETER, NH – The month of March is National Athletic Training Month! It’s held every March to spread awareness about all that athletic trainers do. Here at Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, we have 11 certified athletic trainers on staff, six of which are staffed at area Seacoast high schools. Help us celebrate National Athletic Training Month by taking the time to learn more about our ATCs and Athletic Training Program.
Heidi Kirby, ATC
Heidi Kirby has been the Head Athletic Trainer at Exeter High School for more than 10 years. She has worked in the high school, collegiate and industrial medicine fields of athletic training, is involved with the Special Olympics Program, and volunteers as the Executive Director of Sports Medicine for the Seacoast Area Special Olympics track and field competition.
KATIE MCFADDEN, ATC
Katie McFadden, ATC is the Head Athletic Trainer at Timberlane Regional High School. She joined the Access team following several years as the Athletic Trainer at Phillips Exeter Academy, and as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer and Athletic Trainer for Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA and Springfield College in Springfield, MA.
Claire Ruff, ATC, NHLAT
Claire Ruff is the Athletic Trainer at Timberlane Regional Middle School. She splits her time between the sidelines at the Junior High School and in the clinic at Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire in Durham with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training.
Kevin Strachan, ATC, ROT
Kevin Strachan is a certified Athletic Trainer who has experience at both the professional and collegiate levels. He is also a Registered Orthopaedic Technologist. Kevin joins Dr. Josh Siegel and Chris Wheeler, PA-C on the Sports Medicine and Concussion Management team at Access Sports Medicine. He also provides education and oversight into Access’ Concussion Management Program.
Tyler Swett, ATC
Tyler Swett graduated from Plymouth State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training. He has worked with a variety of athletic teams, including football, wrestling, field hockey, and lacrosse. Tyler has experience working with a wide range of physical therapy patients and is trained in the use of the Graston Technique.
RYAN DOLAN, ATC
Ryan is the Athletic Trainer at Portsmouth High School. He graduated from Norwich University in 2011 where he worked as a student Athletic Trainer with their Football team and Men’s Hockey team. While at Norwich, Ryan was a part of the Corps of Cadets. After graduation Ryan worked 3 summers as an Athletic Training with Elite Hockey camps out of Hanover, NH and Northfield, VT.
ROBIN HUNT, MS, ATC, NHLAT
Robin is the Athletic Trainer at Epping High School and Middle School. Robin graduated from Endicott College with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 2014 and graduated with her Master of Science in Leisure and Sports Management from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016. She conducted a graduate research thesis on Certified Athletic Trainers’ Knowledge of the NATA Position Statement of Preventing Sudden Death in Sports Associated with Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
EMILY PELLETIER, ATC
Emily, is the Athletic Trainer at Raymond High School. She earned her bachelors degree in Athletic Training at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and became certified in 2013. She joins Access Sports Medicine following three years as the athletic trainer at two high schools in Northern Maine, and a physical therapist rehabilitation aid. She is a Licensed Athletic Trainer in the State of New Hampshire and the State of Maine, a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer, and a Certified CPR/AED Professional Rescuer. Emily is experienced in concussion evaluation, impact testing administration, and sports injury evaluation and rehabilitation.
CHANTAL FILIAU, ATC, NHLAT
Chantal is the Athletic Trainer at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton. She is a graduate from the University of New Hampshire where she gained experience as a student athletic trainer with Exeter High School and at Access Acceleration. As an undergrad student she also worked with Division 1 teams such as the Women’s Gymnastics team and the Women’s Volleyball team. She also worked at the club sport level as a student athletic trainer with UNH Campus Recreation. Since graduating, Chantal was a research assistant with the Helmet-less Tackling Training (HuTT®) program at Exeter High School, as well as working as a per diem with Access Sports Medicine. During her free time she enjoys figure skating and heading out on the lakes with family and friends.
Our trusted team of licensed athletic trainers plays an important role on the sidelines and before and after any youth sporting event. Having an athletic trainer on hand is a crucial part of injury prevention in athletes of all levels, that’s why we choose them to help get your athletes back in the game.