Laura Baker, certified athletic trainer at Henry D. Sheldon High School, was recently named the regional nominee for The Newell 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. As the regional nominee, Baker advanced on to join other regional nominees from across the nation to be considered for The Newell Award 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year.

In partnership with local orthopedic practices, such as Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, The Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award recognizes athletic trainers for the service and leadership they provide local athletic communities. Based on examples of service, leadership and shared experiences from community members, nominees for The Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award are determined regionally. Several exceptional shared experiences from community members were received in support of Baker’s regional nomination for the National Award.

“The outpouring of support from community members on Ms. Baker’s behalf has been tremendous and certainly well-deserved,” says Dr. Michael Koester, pediatric and adolescent sports medicine specialist with Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “We feel honored to acknowledge her efforts by partnering with The Newell Award to recognize the region’s top athletic trainers for the service and leadership they display while treating our community athletes.”

Baker, a long-time certified local athletic trainer for the community and Henry D. Sheldon High School, received her bachelor of science degree in physical education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington; she then went on to get her masters of science degree in exercise and movement science from the University of Oregon. She has been extremely involved in the local sports medicine community and was recently named the 2017 Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award winner for NATA District 10.

In addition to Baker, there were several other exceptional candidates considered for regional nomination for The Newell 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award including Mari Gibson of Marist Catholic High School, Marlee Hansen of South Eugene High School, Cesar Ocampo of North Eugene High School and Corrie Sizemore of Willamette High School.