Those in attendance at recent T.R. Miller High School or Brewton Middle School athletic events may have noticed a new face on the sidelines.
Certified athletic trainer Diane Worth has joined D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital’s Encore Rehabilitation team and will be working with the Tigers.
“Diane brings years of experience and expertise to Brewton, having most recently served as head athletic trainer for the Pittsfield Colonials semi-professional baseball team in Massachusetts,” Tina Bledsoe, Director of Physical Therapy said of Worth in a press release. “She will provide field-side athletic training and she will work with coaches and individual athletes to promote safe practices and provide effective treatment for a range of injuries.
Worth has 15 years of experience as an athletic trainer, from the community level to the junior high and high school, undergraduate and graduate-level college athletics. She also has experience with semi-professional baseball and basketball and for-profit healthcare organizations.
“With so many students participating in sports, it is important that we support and encourage athletes with exercise and other treatment options to facilitate healing and overall wellbeing for both athletic performance and for long-term health and wellness,” Worth said. “In my previous work, we focused heavily on injury prevention to reduce play-related injuries, including strength, flexibility and conditioning programs as well as techniques such as protective taping and proper use of industry-approved safety equipment.”
Worth grew up in the state of Ohio in the town of Painesville. She later moved to New Hampshire in 1984 and went to undergrad at Plymouth State University and graduated in 1990 with a B.S. in Physical Education and a minor in Athletic Training. She also has two more degrees— a MA in Teaching and a MSS in Sport Medicine.
“I am currently studying at the United States Sports Academy working on my
Doctorate in Sports Management with an emphasis in Sports Medicine,” Worth added.
It was working on her master’s degree that she came in touch with the south.
“I have always liked the south,” Worth said. “I briefly lived in Daphne in 1994 when I was working on my master’s degree. I have always liked this area.”
Worth has worked at a private school in New Hampshire and while there, met their athletic trainer and that sparked in her interest in the field.
“He explained the duties and responsibilities of an athletic trainer and I knew then that is what I wanted to pursue as a career,” she said. “I played sports as a child in middle school and high school. I wanted to stay connected to sports as a paid professional. Becoming an athletic trainer would allow me to do this.”
Prior work experience for Worth has included rehab technician, patient service representative for durable medical equipment, ski instructor and racing team coach, physical education teacher, athletic coordinator, adjunct professor, and athletics coach.
“I have also worked as an athletic trainer in school settings as well as in a clinical setting providing sports medicine outreach contract services to local area recreation departments, local high schools, and colleges,” she said.
So far, Worth has enjoyed her time in Brewton since moving here Jan. 12.
“I enjoy the southern hospitality of the community members in Brewton,” she said. “Everyone that I have met so far have been very nice and made me feel right at home, especially my neighbors Jo and George Coale.
“I am looking forward to becoming a member of the T.R. Miller community representing D.W. McMillan Hospital and Encore Rehabilitation providing sports medicine services to local area high schools, middle schools and colleges.”