Tag: division of health sciences

Q&A with Athletic Training Program Director Andrew Lundgren

Program Director Andrew Lundgren talks about the career opportunities and advantages of North Park’s athletic training program.

Andrew Lundgren: Athletic Training Program Director and Associate Professor

What kinds of career opportunities can the athletic training program offer?

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who are experts in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and other medical conditions. Our graduates find employment in a variety of settings including secondary schools, colleges, professional sports, industrial settings, and physician/sports medicine clinics.

A degree in athletic training can also help prepare students for other health care programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant studies. Other graduates pursue health-care related professions such as orthopedic technology or medical sales.

What type of student is a good candidate for the program?

Students with strong interpersonal skills who are interested in science, medicine, and working with active populations typically thrive in athletic training. Since each day in the field is different, it is important that athletic trainers are flexible and can adapt.

How does North Park’s athletic training program stand out?

As the only CAATE-accredited athletic training program in Chicago’s city limits, our students have access to a host of learning opportunities and are afforded a diverse array of locations for clinical education. Through these clinical placements, students gain hands-on experiences while learning from professionals in the field. Students gain additional experience as members of the medical team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Shamrock Shuffle. Finally, our growing network of alumni remains actively involved in the program. Many alumni help to educate the next generation of students by serving as guest speakers, preceptors, and mentors. Supported by these unique opportunities and our network of alumni and friends, North Park’s athletic training programs are well-established within and outside Chicagoland.

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Athletic Training at North Park: Brody Burkart C’16

Brody Burkart C’16 shares how the athletic training program at North Park supported him through his academic, professional, and personal growth.

Brody H. Burkart, C’16

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Brody Burkart’s dream of becoming an athletic trainer and physical therapist began when he was 16 years old. He chose to pursue his BS in athletic training at North Park because it allowed him to follow that dream while continuing his athletic career. “Not many programs I spoke with encouraged my ability to be a collegiate athlete and athletic training student the way NPU did,” says Burkart. As Burkart’s faculty knew of his professional aspirations, they helped ensure that he obtained the appropriate pre-requisite courses within his busy schedule. In the Spring of 2016, Burkart received his bachelor of science in athletic training, graduating with cum laude honors.

Following graduation, Burkart was accepted into Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science’s doctor of physical therapy program. Burkart credits this success to the preparation he received as an undergraduate. “Receiving my undergraduate degree from North Park University was one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a student, I obtained over 1,250 hours of clinical experience working with diverse populations, established networking opportunities, and built lasting relationships with the faculty members at North Park that helped solidify my spot amongst a vastly competitive pool of physical therapy applicants.”

In addition to the skills that allowed him to grow as a clinician, Burkart appreciates the ways that he grew as a person during his time at North Park. “From the immense amount of hands-on exposure you receive with your athletes and patients, to the incredible opportunities you have to develop, implement, and lead the medical emergency action plan of the Chicago Marathon, these experiences allow you to gain the greatest sense of self-confidence. I am truly blessed to have been a part of this program, for it has made such a positive impact on my life.”

Burkart explains that while in school, he experienced many life-altering events and setbacks outside of the classroom. “I am forever grateful to my fellow classmates and the athletic training faculty for the way they supported me through those tough times. After the immeasurable amount of time you spend within this program, these people become your family and individuals you can rely on for the rest of your life.”

“On behalf of myself and fellow athletic training classmates and peers, I can say with complete confidence that regardless of your academic pursuits beyond North Park, the advanced knowledge you receive from this program will set you up for the utmost success.”

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