The Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association award was created in 2018 to recognize young professional athletic trainers in the state of Georgia who demonstrate leadership and a passion for the athletic training profession. The purpose of this award is to recognize and contribute to the continuing education and leadership development of young professional athletic trainers.
“Sherman is one of the best athletic trainers I have had the privilege to work with,” said Ryan Bonanno, Hamilton Sports Medicine manager. “He is kind, caring and driven to help people.”
Baker, an orthopedic surgeon, was renowned nationally and internationally for his expertise in sports medicine. He passed away in 2022.
Emily Skipper, certified athletic trainer for Hamilton Sports Medicine, assists with checking in students for their sports physicals.
Local health care professionals recently provided physicals to student athletes from Dalton State College and local high and middle schools. Hamilton Sports Medicine coordinated the annual event. More than 1,200 students participated.
Volunteers included physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and other health care professionals.
The physicals involved checks on vital signs, height, weight and vision, a review of athletes’ comprehensive medical questionnaires, and a musculoskeletal functional movement screening. Athletes who needed cardiac clearance were able to get it done free, provided by Hamilton Physician Group – Cardiology and Hamilton Medical Center.
Hamilton Sports Medicine, a Hamilton Medical Center program, provides athletic trainers for outreach athletic assistance at Dalton State College and local high schools, including Christian Heritage, Dalton, Northwest Whitfield, Southeast Whitfield, Murray County, North Murray, Coahulla Creek, Calhoun and Morris Innovative. As part of the program, an athletic trainer is on-sight at the schools and at community sports events.
Participating health professionals and volunteers included:
Nate Waite, certified athletic trainer for Hamilton Sports Medicine, performs a musculoskeletal assessment of a student.
Associates in Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (AOSM)
Mitch Frix, MD
James Lashley, MD
John Norman, MD
Nick Reed, MD
Michael Wilson, MD
David Langlois, PA
Pam Abernathy, PA
Rhonda Harrison, FNP-C
Dalton Ear Nose and Throat
David Dinges, MD
Hamilton Physician Group
Trevor Alverson, FNP
Natalie Bessom, MD
Samuel Critides, MD
Nancy Giammarella, NP
Juan Gonzalez, MD
Sarah Gregory, FNP
Justin Hare, DO
Gary Olson, MD
Christina Oskins, MD
Alison Peden, FNP
Stephen Rohn, MD
Sherri Scroggins, NP
Jennifer Smith, NP
Additional volunteers
AOSM staff and nurses
Bradley Wellness Center fitness instructors and staff
Bradley Whiteside Rehabilitation staff
Calhoun High School Health Profession Pathway class
Christian Heritage School staff
Dalton State College School of Nursing
Hamilton Medical Center cardiology staff
High school coaching staff members
The Athletic Trainers Association recently named Sherman Howze, athletic trainer for Hamilton Sports Medicine, the 2016 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)-ATA Southern States Athletic Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year.
Howze is the athletic trainer for Dalton State College (DSC).
“Sherman is a big part of our success,” said Hunter Hageman, DSC assistant men’s basketball coach. “He relates well to the players.”
Sayvon Wilson, DSC athlete, said Howze is one of the best trainers he’s worked with. “He loves us all,” he said.
This award recognizes a National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)-certified athletic trainer at an NAIA institution who has distinguished himself or herself as a model of the profession of athletic training in personal conduct and professional allied health service to athletes.
Erik Simpson, assistant athletic director at Dalton State, nominated Howze for the award.
“Sherman has lowered the cost of insurance, decreased our injury-rate percentage, and called for more stringent drug testing at the NAIA level,” said Simpson.
According to Stephanie Rynas, Hamilton Sports Medicine manager, Howze is humble, hardworking and positive. “Even having the long hours that being a college athletic trainer requires, Sherman still volunteers to help other staff members and is a true team player,” she said. “He cares about doing the best job he can and getting the best results.”
The Athletic Trainers Association recently named Sherman Howze, athletic trainer for Hamilton Sports Medicine, the 2016 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)-ATA Southern States Athletic Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year.