SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana University South Bend Assistant Athletic Trainer Lauren Burish has been named the Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM). Burish becomes the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) staff athletic trainer to receive this prestigious nod.
Indiana University South Bend’s sports medicine coverage is provided by Beacon Health System.
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“Receiving this award is very humbling and exciting for all certified athletic trainers throughout the Beacon Health System, the NAIA and IU South Bend,” said Burish. “I am extremely honored to be nominated and selected amongst my peers, and appreciative of my colleagues and our Beacon Health System Leadership team. I would like to extend my appreciation to our ATC coordinator, Kara Werner-Sanders, for her great mentorship and leadership in my first few years as a young professional. I am eager to continue striving and advocating for our student-athletes’ health and safety through our work with the NAIA-Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, IUSB and alike organizations.”
Each year, the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine recognizes one individual each year for exceptional performance as a member of an athletic training staff. Award recipients are actively involved in their community or campus, athletic training associations and promotion of the profession.
“I don’t know another athletic trainer more deserving of this prestigious award,” commented IU South Bend Head Athletic Trainer Kara Werner-Sanders. “As a head athletic trainer in the university setting, it is crucial to have passionate people in our staff who are willing to go above and beyond for the program, and the student-athletes, and that is exactly Lauren. She is one of the most passionate, hardworking, intelligent and caring athletic trainers I have ever worked with.”
Burish recently completed her second season as a member of the IUSB sports medicine staff. During her two-year stint, Burish has been a member of three Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament Championship appearances along with three visits to the NAIA Tournament with the Titans.
She is a member the NATA, NAIA-ATA Research and Professional Development Committee, Indiana Athletic Trainers Association, and the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association. She is a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer in Indiana along with being certified in Basic Life Support for the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and in massage cupping.
Burish also takes an initiative to serve, and at times chair, on multiple committees within the Beacon Health System Athletic Trainers. Just a few of these committees include COVID-19 concussion, surround care and spine boarding.
During her free time, Burish is an associate faculty member of IU South Bend’s School of Education and guest lectures in a variety of Exercise Science classes in the IUSB Health Science program. Additionally, Burish helps with mitigation testing site on campus, was the former Show Director for Lake City Skiers and has been an active member of the ski club for over 10 years.
Born and raised in Warsaw, Ind., she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports Studies from Benedictine University in 2016. During her four year stint, Burish was a member of the Eagles basketball and track and field programs.
Following her undergrad studies, Burish served as the Athletic Training Student at St. Francis (Ind.) from 2016-18 and received a Master’s Degree of athletic training from Manchester University. During her time at St. Francis, Burish covered the 2017 NAIA National Championship football program.
“I believe that Lauren is an up and coming star in the athletic training profession and I have no doubt that one day she will be leading an organization, athletic training program, national, or state committee,” added Werner-Sanders.
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