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Central College athletic training program
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

The Central College athletic training education program was granted accreditation in 2004 from The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

CAAHEP is the largest programmatic/specialized accreditor in the health sciences field. In collaboration with its committees on accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits more than 2,000 educational programs in 21 health science occupations across the United States and Canada.

Central College began pursing accreditation in 1999 and submitted candidacy application in October 2000. The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Educational Task Force recommendations were implemented in January stating all athletic training graduates must complete an accredited program.

Central athletic training program staff

Central a national leader with Fenzian clinical study

Question and answers about Central's program

Student-athlete physical health form

Central College athletic training education program
Mission statement

Central College's athletic training education program will provide health science experiences in collaboration with health professionals enabling athletic training students to master the competencies and skill proficiency to be competent, professional entry-level athletic trainers. Athletic training education will occur within the liberal arts framework of Central College and its mission. We will encourage citizenship, volunteerism and service, professionalism and the value of continued education. The lives of students within the program are enriched intellectually, spiritually, ethically, socially, artistically and physically through interactions with staff, faculty, mentors and professionals within the college and the Pella community.

A few of Central's recent athletic training grads in the field

Kris Van Houten '01 - Physical therapist, Carmel Orthopaedic and Sports Therapy, Carmel, Calif.

Nate Weir '05-Assistant athletic trainer , Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wis.

Roger Dortch '01, MS, ATC - Assistant athletic trainer, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.

Danielle Dykstra '05-Graduate assistant athletic trainer, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.

Jess Groth '05 – Assistant athletic trainer, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Rob Blom '98--Athletic trainer and physical therapy assistant, Sterling Physical Therapy, Pella, Iowa

Dorice Hankemeir '01 – Assistant athletic trainer, Anderson University, Anderson, Ind.

Kate Hanson '05 – Graduate assistant athletic trainer, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.

Karrie Vander Sluis '99, M.Ed., ATC/L - Outreach coordinator, Rehabilitation Services Department, Ellsworth Municipal Hospital, Iowa Falls, Iowa

Frank Neu '91--Football team head athletic trainer, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa

Tim Block '01, ATC/L - Outreach athletic trainer, Plaza Physical Therapy, Outreach Athletic Trainer, Davenport, Iowa

Melissa Cox Reynolds '98, ATC Assistant professor of health and wellness, Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa

Matt Scotton '91, PT, ATC - Physical therapist, Newton Community Hospital, Newton, Iowa

Kelly McMillen Carlson '97, ATC - Assistant athletic trainer, Wheaton College , Wheaton, Ill.

Scott Bohner '01 - Medical school resident, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa.

Looking back

Sarah Newman '01, MS, ATC
Head athletic trainer
U.S. National Long Course Speed Skating Team
Colorado Springs, Colo.

"The athletic training education program at Central College instills professionalism and a true passion for our profession.

"The program provides athletic training students with profound clinical and educational experiences and creates a vision for Central students for any professional setting that interests them."

Frank Neu '91, MS, ATC
Head football athletic trainer
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

"I had a great experience while being a part of Central's athletic training education program. The experiences and knowledge I gained from Central's program allowed me to run a successful athletic training room today."