Horizon Health Adds Athletic Trainers at Area High Schools

Horizon Health has expanded its athletic training staff, providing coverage once again at Paris and Chrisman high schools.

Over the past several years, Horizon Health has partnered with area schools to provide athletic trainers for their sports teams. However, a nationwide shortage of athletic trainers has made recruitment of these healthcare professionals a challenge, said Lisa Smittkamp, Horizon Health sports medicine supervisor.

“As we recruit, we are finally getting back to our previous coverage level. We really have been understaffed since COVID began,” she explained. “The schools are excited to have athletic trainers and are very appreciative of the care their athletes receive.”

Certified athletic trainers help young players prevent and recover from injuries. They assess, manage, treat, rehabilitate, and recondition athletic injuries. They also provide emergency care and implement concussion protocols to ensure player safety.

Staffed through the Horizon Health Rehabilitation Services Department, the new athletic trainers are:

Paris Cooperative High School

Louise T. Shines is the athletic trainer for Paris Cooperative High School. She has a master’s degree in athletic training from Texas Tech University and a bachelor's degree in movement science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently working toward her doctorate degree in instructional leadership at Indiana State University.

Born and raised in Chicago, Louise has 16 years of athletic training experience. In addition to being a Certified Athletic Trainer, she is a Certified Balance Body Pilates Reformer Instructor, Certified Balance Body Mat Instructor, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor.

“I like the diversity that athletic training offers of not being within the four walls of an office, but outside with the athletes,” she said. “I like working with young athletes from the start and taking them all the way to the finish line.”

Chrisman High School

Danielle Duncan is the athletic trainer for Chrisman High School. She graduated from Indiana State University with a master’s degree in athletic training and a bachelor's degree in applied medicine. At ISU, she completed clinical hours as a student athletic trainer working with college and high school athletes. She also completed an athletic training internship with the ISU football team.

Born and raised in Rossville, Illinois, Danielle attended Bismarck-Henning High School and participated in cheerleading, volleyball, and track.

“I’ve been involved in sports my entire life and have had my share of injuries,” she said. "Athletic training is a combination of helping people and staying around sports.”

Other Schools

Horizon Health has partnerships to provide athletic trainers at Westville School District 2 and Tri-County Co-Op (Oakland, Kansas & Shiloh). Athletic trainers include Morgan Arthur (Westville) and Amanda Gough (Tri-County).

Horizon Health’s full-time athletic training team also includes Lisa Smittkamp, MEd, ATC, PTA; Morgan Arthur, ATC; and Rachael Vice, PT, DPT, ATC. From individual training sessions to its specialized Momentum program, the team educates athletes on proper nutrition, hydration, and conditioning techniques to optimize performance and prevent injuries. It collaborates with coaches, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to create comprehensive care plans for all athletes.

For more information about athletic training services at Horizon Health, call 217-466-4244 or visit MyHorizonHealth.org/AthleticTraining.