Student athletes dedicate countless hours to practices, competitions, and training. Along the way, injuries and recovery can become part of the journey. Through a partnership between Crawford County Memorial Hospital and Denison High School, local student athletes have access to a dedicated healthcare professional who helps them stay healthy, informed, and confident as they compete.
Through this collaboration, CCMH Athletic Trainer Sarah Branning works on-site with Denison High School athletes, providing injury evaluation, rehabilitation support, and education that empowers students to better understand and care for their bodies.
A Direct Resource for Athletes and Coaches
For many years, when a student athlete experienced an injury, coaches and families often had to coordinate care between multiple providers, sometimes with limited communication between them.
Denison High School coach Adam Mich has seen how having an athletic trainer on-site has changed that process.
“Before when we had our athletes get injured, it was just hard because you were… talking to multiple doctors or chiropractors and things like that.”
Now, with Branning present at the school, coaches and athletes have a consistent, knowledgeable resource available.
“Now, having Sarah… we have a direct source. She does a great job of having those conversations with us and in a timely manner too.”
This communication helps coaches plan practices appropriately while also ensuring student athletes return to play safely.
“I think our kids are just more comfortable… and it just gives them more confidence to come back when they’re ready to come back.”
What an Athletic Trainer Does
Branning joined the CCMH Rehabilitation Services team about six months ago and serves as the primary athletic trainer for Denison High School.
Her role involves a combination of injury evaluation, rehabilitation support, and event coverage for student athletes. During the school day, she prepares rehabilitation plans and coordinates care for athletes who may be recovering from injuries. As the day progresses, students often stop by for treatment, exercises, or injury evaluations before practices begin.
After school, Branning spends time covering practices and games, ensuring athletes receive care when injuries occur and guidance on how to safely continue or modify activity.
Empowering Students Through Education
One of the most important aspects of athletic training is helping students understand their injuries and how to prevent future ones.
Branning emphasizes education by explaining how the body works and why certain exercises or recovery strategies are important. By walking students through the anatomy behind their injuries and demonstrating how specific muscles or joints function, athletes gain a clearer understanding of what is happening within their bodies.
This approach helps student athletes build knowledge and confidence in caring for their own health, turning rehabilitation into a learning experience that can benefit them long after their current season ends.
Bridging the Gap Between Athletes and Coaches
Athletic trainers also serve as an important point of communication between athletes and coaches.
Branning often helps navigate conversations about injuries, practice limitations, and recovery timelines so that both coaches and athletes feel informed and supported.
By acting as an advocate for student athletes, she ensures their health and safety remain the priority while also helping coaches make informed decisions about participation.
A Strong Connection to CCMH Rehabilitation Services
Another key benefit of this partnership is the direct connection between Denison High School and CCMH Rehabilitation Services.
When athletes experience more complex injuries—such as post-surgical recovery or more significant joint injuries—Branning works closely with CCMH physical therapists to coordinate care. Athletes who attend physical therapy sessions at CCMH can continue working on exercises at school under Branning’s supervision.
This communication allows both the athletic trainer and physical therapists to stay informed about an athlete’s progress, practice participation, and recovery goals.
With healthcare professionals working together, student athletes receive support both in the clinic and on the field.
Supporting Student Success On and Off the Field
The partnership between Crawford County Memorial Hospital and Denison High School represents a shared commitment to supporting local students.
By providing on-site athletic training services, CCMH helps ensure that student athletes have access to professional care, injury education, and rehabilitation resources close to home.
Through the work of Sarah Branning and the CCMH Rehabilitation Services team, Denison High School athletes are gaining more than just injury care—they are gaining knowledge, confidence, and the support they need to stay healthy while pursuing the sports they love.
