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Licensed athletic trainer joins MBMC
By Amanda Emery Maybe you’ve heard this story from some of your favorite celebrities, “I suffered an injury while playing a high school sport, and that’s when I found acting/singing. In a sense, I am so glad that I received that injury because look at me now!” That may be true for some actors or singers, but what about an athletic trainer? Well, that is just what happened to one of Mile Bluff Medical Center’s latest Rehabilitation Department additions, Kali Berkseth, MS, LAT. When asked why she chose to become a licensed athletic trainer, Kali responded with an unlikely answer. “When I was in high school, I suffered an injury and had to undergo rehabilitation with a physical therapist and athletic trainer. That was my first exposure to athletic training, and that’s when I realized that I could have a job that would allow me to be around athletes and sports every day! What would be more fun than that for me?!” Now, that is exactly what Kali gets to do on a daily basis. She explains what her typical work day involves, “I arrive at the New Lisbon High School [Kali serves as the athletic trainer to the New Lisbon School District through a partnership between the school and Mile Bluff] around 3 pm. The first thing I do with the students is evaluate any athletes who may have been injured. If needed, I tape these individuals so they are ready for practice or games. During the fall sports season, my next step is to check in with the volleyball and cross country teams to see if they need anything, and then I head to the football field for practice. Along with these day-to-day duties, I also attend home games to serve athletes if any issues arise.” In addition to her responsibilities as the New Lisbon High School athletic trainer, Kali also works with a community wellness program. “As part of my position at Mile Bluff, I am the instructor for the Wet & Well aquatic fitness program that meets at the Best Western Park Oasis hotel pool in Mauston.” While it is exciting for her to be practicing on her own, Kali says that working in a school setting is nothing new to her, “Every semester in my undergraduate program [kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison], we had clinical rotations where we worked with different sports, so I have a lot of experience with various sports and injuries. During graduate school [athletic training from West Virginia University], I worked as a licensed athletic trainer for two years at a middle school in Pennsylvania, as well as assisted the athletic trainers at the local high school and college.” After receiving such a broad educational background, Kali decided that she wanted to stay in Wisconsin to practice. She explains that there are a few reasons why she chose Mile Bluff as a place to work compared to other facilities. “Everyone has been great to be around from the very beginning. I really enjoy the variety of people I get to interact with on a daily basis, from co-workers, to the athletes and coaches. I felt at ease when I interviewed at Mile Bluff. I also liked the area; I grew up in a small town, so I like Mauston’s atmosphere. Overall, it seemed like the perfect fit for me.” When she’s not busy, this McFarland native says she enjoys playing soccer, swimming, spending time with friends and family, and watching her beloved Badgers. Please join the staff members of Mile Bluff Medical Center in welcoming Kali Berkseth, MS, LAT to its staff of licensed athletic trainers.
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Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161 Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948 608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377 © 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center |
