![]() West Holt Medical Services (WHMS) is expanding its sports medicine services to include event coverage by Amy Rentschler, physician assistant. In this new role, Rentschler will be on the sidelines at many of the home varsity basketball games and wrestling meets at West Holt Public Schools this year. Sports medicine services at WHMS currently include: athletic training, physical therapy, sports injury prevention, x-ray, MRI, impact concussion testing, sports physicals, emergency care and event coverage. Rentschler will work with WHMS’ athletic trainer, Katie Alford, as a team to determine the right treatment and rehabilitation plan for the athletes at West Holt Public School when needed. They both serve as advocates for the student athletes. An athletes’ injury will be managed in a multi-disciplinary approach with the sports medicine team, healthcare providers, athlete, family and coaching staff to return the athlete to regular play and normal life activities as safely and quickly as possible after an injury. Having a healthcare provider on the sidelines is crucial to the sports medicine team. Many times, the athletic trainer and physician assistant see how the injury occurred, which helps in quickly assessing, diagnosing the injury and starting a treatment plan. Rentschler will manage any referral information for physical therapy and orthopedics if needed. As a teen, Rentschler participated in basketball, volleyball and track at Grand Island Central Catholic in Grand Island, NE. She said she hopes to use her experience playing team sports to understand the athletes’ perspective and to encourage today’s athletes to follow the guidance by athlete health advocates. Rentschler is a 2009 graduate of Des Moines University where she obtained a masters in Physician Assistant Studies. She moved to Atkinson in 2013 and began providing care for patients at the WHMS’ medical clinic. “Amy is a great addition to our sports medicine team,” said Brad Pfeifer, Chief Executive Officer. “Amy’s passion for athletics, combined with her skill as a medical provider, will provide tremendous value to the sports programs for which she will serve.” West Holt Medical Services began providing complimentary Athletic Training services to athletic departments at West Holt High School, Stuart High School and West Boyd High School at the beginning of the 2013 school year. For more information about West Holt Medical Services, visit www.westholtmed.org, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. West Holt Medical Services provides well-rounded family healthcare with respect and understanding for the physical and emotional needs of our North Central Nebraska communities. |