Amberwell’s athletic training team is an essential part of our orthopedic care team and the front line of our sports medicine program. Each athletic trainer is board-certified and trained in prevention, assessment, rehabilitation, and care of athletic injuries.
Our Athletic Trainers Provide Game Coverage to Local Schools
Amberwell’s athletic trainers provide athletic training coverage for seven local middle and high schools in Northeast Kansas. They attend baseball, softball, football, basketball, and wrestling events and help with taping, bracing, and stretching prior to game time. During games, they are present and available to help care for any injury that may occur. If a student gets hurt during a game, the trainer assesses the injury to determine whether or not the injured athlete should return to play. Following the game, the trainer evaluates and cares for any injuries that need follow-up care. If the trainer feels that the athlete needs a referral to see a physician or a trip to the emergency room, the trainer coordinates with the student’s parent, if present, or the athletic director.
Our trainers also offer other on-site services including weekly injury clinics and ImPACT testing. They work closely with coaches, athletic directors, and parents to provide excellent care and treatment for local student athletes.
A Key Part of Our Complete Orthopedic Care Services
Our athletic trainers are able to recognize when an injury is serious enough to need the attention of an orthopedic specialist. Having our trainers assist with injuries at middle and high school sporting events facilitates an important connection between our local student athletes and Amberwell’s orthopedic care services.
Amberwell Health has an excellent orthopedic care team led by Dr. Everett J. Wilkinson. Dr. Wilkinson is one of the highest-rated, board-certified orthopedic surgeons in Kansas. With over twenty-five years’ experience, he has expertise in sports-related injuries. The local schools that our athletic trainers serve have the benefit of not only our trainers’ expertise in sports-related injuries, but also quick and easy access to excellent orthopedic care, since Amberwell’s orthopedic services team often treats patients with tendon and ligament injuries, bone fractures, sprains, swelling and inflammation, dislocated knees and shoulders, and other injuries typically incurred by young athletes.
Our team of athletic trainers and orthopedic providers offers compassionate, patient-centered care that will have your student athlete safely back on the field, out on the court, or hitting the gym as quickly as possible.
Meet the Team
Jennifer Brockhoff – Director of Athletic Training Services
Jennifer has been with Amberwell’s athletic training program since its origination, essentially starting the program from scratch. She is a certified physical therapy assistant and an athletic trainer.
Jeff Hale – Athletic Trainer/Supervisor
Jeff joined Amberwell’s team of athletic trainers in 2017. He graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training before earning a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance from Pittsburg State University. Jeff enjoys serving with an organization that is able to bring such an important service to the community. “We supply services that many rural middle and high schools do not have the privilege of receiving,” said Jeff. “I think that it is very important that when an athlete gets injured during a game, they have immediate access to an athletic trainer for an evaluation and treatment. This protects the athlete from doing further damage to the injured area.”
Tyler Heintzelman – Athletic Trainer
Tyler graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. He is a resident of Leavenworth County where he enjoys being an active member of his community. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of St. Joseph Church. Tyler’s favorite local business is Bailey’s Irish Pub. “I am friends with the owner of Bailey’s Irish Pub in Leavenworth,” said Tyler. “It usually has a good crowd and good food.”
Logan Lauer – Athletic Trainer/Clinic Supervisor
Logan joined Amberwell’s athletic training team in September of 2014, after graduating from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Logan enjoys serving with an organization that is focused on making an impact in the community. “Amberwell has provided sponsorship for local events and schools,” said Logan,” and has volunteered to put on the Atchison Community Health Fair and Bunge Farm Safety Days.”
Brandon Pokrandt – Athletic Trainer
Brandon graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training and joined Amberwell’s athletic training team in 2018. Brandon recognizes the importance of being able to provide medical care to local student athletes. “During the fall sports season, Amberwell provides a Saturday sports clinic that allows injured athletes to come in and be evaluated, free of charge,” said Brandon. “This usually helps the injured athletes to recover quickly and continue playing safely, without having to disrupt their sports season.”
