Healing Meridian Athletes Sports Medicine

Medicine. Students are given scenarios from the program that they must act upon, giving a real-life feel without the same stakes as treating Meridian athletes.

“We’re one of less than five schools in the country that have the opportunity to use the VR headsets,” Coach G said. “The headsets help students learn to work with recovering athletes and athletes with concussions.”

When asked about goals for the future of the class, Coach G knows where the class is heading. “Expand, expand, expand,” Coach G said. “Within the next two years, we’ll go from just two sections to four sections, and offer three levels for students, so they can continue participation in the sports medicine field.”

Megan Jackson thinks that taking Sports Medicine this school year was the right choice. “I feel like my time is going towards something important.”

Just past the gyms of Meridian High School and down the hidden stairway leading to the lower level, you might find yourself turning a corner and spotting all sorts of shoes lining the hallway. These sneakers lead to one of Meridian’s most popular courses: Sports Medicine.

Athletic Trainer Vicki Galliher, known by her students and athletes as Coach G, started the Sports Medicine Program at Meridian only six years ago, and the class has done nothing but thrive since then.

Forget about sitting in rows and watching the teacher lecture; Coach G guarantees an interactive experience for all students in her class. “This class keeps you on your toes,” said senior Megan Jackson. “My other classes are very linear and I feel like Sports Med is more real-life.”

“The energy level when we walk in is definitely high and positive,” junior Avery Ross said. Other students chimed in, describing the class as invigorating and energizing.

“Everything we do affects a person. When we work with an injured athlete, there’s always the risk that we could make things worse, causing actual consequences that impact someone,” Coach G said. The curriculum differs greatly from many other classes at Meridian because of the central focus on interactions with athletes that come in needing help.

Don’t think that once students leave the classroom, the knowledge gained is left untouched until the next class. Sophomore Grady Jinks enjoys taking advantage of office hours with Coach G, a year-long opportunity that happens every day after school during sports practices. “I think it’s fun to work with the teams,” Jinks said. “I get to know people that play all different sports.”

Jinks also shared that the new-this-year Virtual Reality headsets is a highlight of the class. Students have an opportunity to treat computer generated patients on special programs designed for students in Sports