New certified athletics trainer introduced at Blair

Meghan Wilkinson, an employee of MedStar and certified athletics trainer, joined the Montgomery Blair Athletics department this school year to replace Julie Tucker.

MedStar is a non-profit, community-based health system that operates in the Maryland and Washington D.C. area that employs Wilkinson. They assigned Wilkinson to Blair High School because of Tucker's leave. Julie Tucker left Montgomery County Public Schools last year to work at the Sandy Spring Friends School, a private school in Sandy Spring, Md.

Before joining Blair, Wilkinson worked at James Hubert Blake High School and the Connelly School of the Holy Child. "It's been good…I was at Blake for two years prior to this. Everybody's been welcoming and open arms and it's been a really easy transition," Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson has had experience as an athletic trainer in other areas as well. Her job has forced her to move along the East coast in past years. "I worked with George Mason's football team and Montgomery College basketball…at a college [in West Virginia] and in a physical therapy setting [in New York]," Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson found her passion to be an athletics trainer while looking at potential college majors at Miami University. Her combined love for sports and interest in medicine drew her to the job. "I grew up in Montgomery County and we didn't have athletic trainers… so when I found out about it, I thought that it was pretty cool. I really like the satisfaction of making people feel better and getting them back out on the field," she said.

Wilkinson's job includes managing the care of Blazer's injuries. "I'm here for the prevention, evaluation, and rehab from injuries. I'm here for all sports and athletes and I'm here for every home game," Wilkinson said.

Outside of Blair, Wilkinson works as a physician extender. Although she is an athletic trainer, she performs many of the same medical activities of a physician. Her job duties relate to those of a physician's. She works with an orthopedic surgeon who is one of the team doctors for the Nationals and the Wizards. "During the school year, I am with him three mornings a week… and then I come to school every afternoon. In his office, I see patients and I answer any of their questions. I basically help the doctor with whatever they need," she said.

Wilkinson expresses enthusiasm for any students with an interest in being an athletic trainer. She is willing to provide an opportunity for students to shadow her. "Any students interested in being a student athletics trainer can shadow me for a season. I am definitely open to that. I did it at Blake, too," Wilkinson said.

Athletics Director Rita Boulé is excited to welcome Wilkinson to the department. "Meghan has a wealth of knowledge and experience working as a trainer in high schools and we are lucky to have her," Boulé said.

Wilkinson has high hopes for her future at Montgomery Blair High School. Although she has worked with many high schools in the past, the amount of students at Blair is new. "I never thought I would like working at the high school level, but I love it. It's a good experience. There's definitely more kids here, which can make my job maybe a little challenging at times, but I like a challenge," she said.