MSAT Students Participate in Interprofessional Practice Activity

Under the direction of Pacific University Athletic Training faculty member Dr. Jess Moore, the students of the Athletic Training program participated with special educators and physical therapists as part of an interprofessional medical staff at the 2019 Special Olympics Youth Games on the Nike Campus in Beaverton, Oregon. The Youth Games are a product of a partnership between Special Olympics Oregon and Nike to grow youth participation in Special Olympics and bring eligible families in contact with the resources they need to help their children thrive.

This year’s event brought nearly 500 participants and their families to the Nike Campus to get an up-close and personal walk-through of Special Olympics sporting events, local support services for people with intellectual disabilities, and the chance to interact with local and professional athletes in four Olympic sports. As a part of this event, the service provided by the athletic training students was essential in providing a safe environment for the all of the athletes and their families.  Participation in this event is part of an on-going collaborative partnership between the Athletic Training program at Pacific University and Special Olympics Oregon. Each year the athletic training students provided care at both a number of Special Olympics and Unified Games and competitions.