Meyer is employed through Elk Regional Health Center, and Elk County Catholic has a contract with the hospital. In addition to working with student athletes, Meyer also provides outpatient services through the hospital as a physical therapy assistant.

“I had an injury myself my junior year in high school and that’s what got me interested [in this type of career],” Meyer said.

Meyer attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and then the physical therapist assistant program offered through Penn State DuBois. She also has to take roughly 25 hours of continuing education classes each year in order to keep her license.

For Meyer, the best part of her job is seeing players return to sports following successful rehabilitation from an injury. She also enjoys when they express their appreciation for her and others’ efforts. The job also comes with a variety of challenges, particularly with regard to the number of injuries athletes can sustain. Meyer noted that her biggest challenges are treating head- and neck-related injuries.

Throughout the years she has held the role of athletic trainer, Meyer said  one of the most important things she learned is to make sure information is being communicated effectively.

“I try to follow up with the kids and talk to them and their parents and coaches so everybody knows what is going on and everyone is on the same page,” Meyer said.

Given the hectic schedule that comes with being involved with high school sports, Meyer noted that her husband and family, especially her mother, and two baby-sitters provide a great deal of help with caring for her young daughter when her schedule calls for her to be away from home at night and on weekends.

“I think the biggest disadvantage to being an athletic trainer is the nights and weekends,” Meyer said. “You never know when you’re going to get out of work.”

Meyer also offered advice for others looking to pursue a career as an athletic trainer.

“I would recommend having a back up such as getting a degree as a physical therapist or a physical education teacher in case they have a family someday and don’t want to work the nights and weekends,” Meyer said.