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Athletic Training Room

Meet your licensed Athletic Trainers

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Michelle Kelly, MS, LAT, ATC has served as Somerville’s Head Athletic Trainer for the past 15 years. She is the health care provider for all our sports teams, providing injury prevention, evaluation and treatment, concussion management, sideline medical coverage, and all things related to the health and well-being of our student-athletes. Michelle is also the District Concussion Coordinator. She created and implemented concussion protocols and education for all K-12 students. Michelle serves on the MIAA sports medicine committee and the DPH concussion advisory board.

Headshot of Trainer Gabby, smiling in front of a background with the Somerville High School logo

Gabrielle Vieira, MS, LAT, ATC is a 2016 SHS Alum. After graduating SHS she continued her education at Merrimack College where she obtained a degree in Exercise Science and Athletic Training. The diversity and pride of Somerville brought her back full time in 2022, becoming the Assistant Athletic Trainer. Working within sports and providing health care to student athletes has always been her dream. Once a Highlander, always a Highlander!

Certified Athletic Training

Student-athlete safety is a top priority for Highlander Athletics. Athletic trainers have a specialized scope of practice that includes injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

It is the responsibility of the licensed athletic trainer to determine if an injured athlete may continue to participate in their sport, and when they will be allowed to return to participation. This determination is often done in conjunction with our volunteer consulting physicians or with the athlete's primary care/orthopedic physician. We have a partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance Sports Medicine, which provides sideline coverage at varsity football games, office visits, and physical therapy.

Recommended Orthopedic Services and Sports Medicine Medical Team

Highlander Athletics is pleased to recommend orthopedic services for our student athletes at the following locations.

CHA Assembly Square Sports Medicine

http://www.challiance.org/Services/SportsMedicine.aspx

5 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville, MA, 1st floor
Dr. David Wing: 617-665-2007, 617-665-1566
Nicholas Wilson, PT: Physical Therapist - Manager Ambulatory Rehab and Sports Medicine: 617-591-4692
 
Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine
SPORTS MEDICINE AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP: When you call, state that you are an affiliated group member from Somerville High School. Priority and urgent appointments: 857-218-5093, Concussion Clinic: 781-216-1328 or 617-355-3501

 

Injuries

Responsibilities of the student-athlete and his/her parent/guardian

Highlander student-athletes are expected to work in partnership with their coaches, athletic trainer, and medical professionals to ensure they stay in the right physical condition to succeed on the field and in the classroom. Student-athletes are expected to:

  • Inform the athletic trainer of ALL injuries that occur during the season, whether or not it happened while participating in their sport. This is essential in the recovery process.
  • Inform the athletic trainer of ALL medical doctor visits regarding injury and return to participation.
  • Provide the athletic trainer with a written note from ALL doctor visits. This is important for documentation of an athlete's injury and return to participation guidelines, plus it aids in communication between the physician and Highlander Athletics. In some cases, the student-athlete will not be allowed to return to participation without a note from their physician.
  • Click Here to read our 2021-2022 Student Athlete Handbook.

 

Concussion Education and Awareness

Somerville High School Soccer Teams Team Up/Speak Up To Help Spread Concussion Awareness. Watch the video!

Concussion Policy (Abbreviated)

Concussion Information

Concussion Information for Parents

 

COVID-19 Safety Updates

General Guidelines for students athletes

  • STAY HOME WHEN SICK
  • Student athletes must wear masks on all bus rides
  • All student athletes should be participating in weekly pool testing at school.
  • (If you have had COVID in the last 90 days you cannot Pool test- BUT SHOULD be taking weekly home tests.)
  • Be sure to pick up your At-home tests are given out every other Friday  as you exit the building- you can also grab an extra test from the Athletic Training Office after school days! Coaches will hand out take home tests to be used during vacation week. We recommend testing on 4/18/2022 and 4/21/2022
  • Do Not share water bottles. See Michelle if you need your own bottle

Guidelines for a student athletes who tests Positive for COVID-19

  • No School or Athletics for the first 5 days(nurse will give you your dates)  
  • Students may return to athletics on days 6-10 but they must wear a mask
  • If you have a moderate-severe case, prolonged symptoms or asthma you will need doctor clearance
  • If you have shortness of breath, fatigue and trouble recovering stop participating and let coach know, see the Athletic Trainer or call your physician.
  • It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that any student athlete returning from a positive COVID case practice at least 2 days prior to playing in a game/competition

 

The Athletic Trainer's Role

Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who work collaboratively with physicians and physical therapists to optimize injury management, prevention, and return to sport of student-athletes. The scope of practice includes the prevention, clinical recognition, rehabilitation, emergency management, and intervention of acute and chronic sports-related conditions. 

Athletic Trainers:

  • Provide clinical recognition of injuries
  • Rehabilitate injuries
  • Apply taping and bracing techniques
  • Can hold an athlete out of practice
  • Can make return to play decisions
  • Provide first aid and wound management
  • Recognize and treat concussions
  • Manage catastrophic injuries
  • Have only the best interests of every child in mind
  • Make decisions that keep your child safe