Give it up for the University of Cincinnati ATEP: Recipient of the 2017 Bill Cramer Award
Jeromy M. Alt, ATC,
Athletic Training Clinical Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati, wrote the letter of application for the award. He notes, “Having the opportunity to have known Mr. Cramer, I believe the commitment to the profession and to service exhibited by our students truly represents his values and dedication.”
Cincinnati currently has 49 students with a 3.3 cumulative university GPA in its program. Many have received scholarships and grants, and collectively they have completed more than 33,000 clinical hours. “Over the past year the students in our program have worked very hard to balance their commitment to the program, their clinical requirements, and professional and community service,” Jeromy says in his letter. Nearly all of the athletic training students participate in professional and community service activities, giving their time to organizations including Ronald McDonald house, Relay for Life, a local food pantry, the Honor Run Half Marathon, and the Crosstown Concussion Crew that provides concussion education to local high schools.
Jeromy writes, “We encourage our students to be active professionally and all of them are members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and Greater Cincinnati Athletic Trainers’ Association. Not only do the students participate, they also take leadership roles when possible. The leadership positions held are REHABCATS officers within the University, Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association student representative, and Greater Cincinnati Athletic Trainers’ Association student representative. Collectively, REHABCATS won the GCATA’s NATA Month Challenge for promoting the profession.”
Last year, the program’s 13 seniors studied for the BOC exam while working 30-40 hours per week at internships. In February, they all passed the BOC exam on the first attempt. Graduates of the University of Cincinnati’s ATEP are pursuing a variety of paths including attending graduate school; working in high schools, colleges, and professional sports; and continuing their allied health education to combine with the BOC credential.
All students in this program are encouraged to attend professional development symposiums and conferences, and Jeromy says that these opportunities have led to many great relationships, volunteer opportunities, internships, and employment over the years. “We simply provide the opportunities but the students are the ones to do the work and make the connections,” he says. “Most hold part-time jobs to help pay for their education and perform fundraising activities to support their attendance at professional meetings. With this award, more students will have the opportunity to grow professionally through attendance at meetings and events.”
All of us at Cramer send our heartfelt congratulations to Jeromy and the entire faculty, staff and students of the University of Cincinnati’s athletic training program!