Sports Medicine
- What is an Athletic Trainer?
- Mission
- Concussion Protocol
- Book an Appointment (Required)
- Newletters & Presentations
What is an Athletic Trainer?
Mission
The Taipei American School Sports Medicine Department strives to deliver traditional athletic training and sports medicine services to the student-athletes of Taipei American School. The services provided to the student-athlete can be divided into four areas: 1.) Prevention of athletic injuries, 2.) Recognition, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses. 3.) Rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries incurred by student athletes. 4.) Health and wellness education.
Concussion Protocol
(View in the Student-Athlete/Parent Handbook)
Any student who experiences a head injury (bump, jolt, or blow) will be assessed and observed for a minimum of 30 minutes for a suspected concussion by the head athletic trainer. The SCAT3 sideline assessment will be used.
If a student with a head injury experiences one or more of the signs and symptoms of a concussion at any time during the initial observation period, he/she will be suspected of a concussion and immediately removed from play. The student will not return to play until they are evaluated by the head athletic trainer or medical doctor and have received medical clearance for return to play.
If a concussion is suspected, the athlete should not be left alone and should be monitored for worsening symptoms. If symptoms worsen and become emergent, the student will be transported to the nearest emergency department.
If no signs or symptoms of a concussion are present during the initial observation period, return to play is still not advisable. A parent/guardian will be notified of the risks of returning to play. Any activity should proceed with caution, understanding that symptoms can appear over time, and that the student should be observed closely during and after the activity.
Any athlete that is diagnosed with a concussion will not return to play on the day of injury. They will be required to complete the school’s return to play protocol and be released by the head athletic trainer (before returning to any physical activities). If the athlete was examined by a medical doctor, a doctor’s note must be provided and given to the school nurse and head athletic trainer before the student can return to physical activities.
Book an Appointment (Required)
Priority for appointments with the head athletic trainer or rehabilitation specialist is listed below from highest priority to lowest priority.
I. In-season student-athletes who sustain injuries in TAS-sponsored athletics activities
II. In-season student-athletes who have sustained injuries outside of TAS-sponsored athletics activities
III. Out-of-season student-athletes who sustain injuries in TAS-sponsored athletics activities
IV. Out-of-season student-athletes who have sustained injuries outside of TAS-sponsored athletics activities
V. Faculty and staff
VI. Students who do not participate in TAS athletics programs
Book an Appointment for a new injury
Book a Follow-Up Appointment with Mr. Davis
Newletters & Presentations
Sports Medicine Team
Head Athletic Trainer
Amber Hardy
MS, ATC, LAT, CES
Head Athletic Trainer
Amber is originally from Silver Spring, MD. She attended the University of Tampa where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Athletic Training. She then continued on to Texas State University-San Marcos, where she pursued her Masters of Science degree in Athletic Training. Following graduation, Amber then went on to be the assistant athletic trainer at a 5A high school outside of Houston, TX for three years. She has several years of experience with a variety of sports at different levels, ranging from middle school aged athletes to professional. Amber decided to move her career to Asia in 2015 where she worked in Beijing for one year before moving to Taipei. She has been a certified and licensed athletic trainer since 2010 and joined Taipei American School in the 2016-17 school year.
Education:
BS in Athletic Training - University of Tampa 2010
MS in Athletic Training - Texas State University-San Marcos 2012
Certifications/ Licenses:
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)
NASM - Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
Assistant Athletic Trainer
TK Edwards
MS, ATC, LAT
Assistant Athletic Trainer
TK has previous international experience as the athletic trainer for Shanghai Community International School-Pudong. Before moving to Asia, she worked for BHS Healthlink Outpatient Rehab clinic in San Antonio, Texas where she assisted in the physical therapy department. TK holds a master's degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Texas State University San Marcos. While studying in Corpus Christi, she served as the athletic trainer for the university's NCAA Division I women's volleyball and golf teams.
Additionally, TK holds certifications in ImPACT concussion baseline testing and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Her passions include positively impacting young athletes and increasing awareness about the athletic training profession. In pursuit of her passions, she will advocate for student-athlete safety as they work hard and compete in TAS athletics. In her free time, TK enjoys a variety of activities that include playing board games and trying her hand in the kitchen at new recipes. She likes to stay active by playing recreational basketball and sand volleyball.
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Conor Davis
ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Conor holds a bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Vermont. He has been the athletic trainer for two Massachusetts junior hockey organizations and served as the assistant at Wellesley College. During his time at Wellesley, he worked with student-athletes who participated in soccer, volleyball, crew, track & field, fencing and many more. Additionally, Conor spent time working with Boston College's NCAA Division I men's baseball and women's lacrosse and softball teams.
During his college years, Conor gained experience as a student athletic trainer with various high schools in the Burlington, Vermont area. This is where he acquired his passion for assisting developmental student-athletes to achieve their goals, and maintain success both on and off the playing field.
In his free time, Conor enjoys traveling and is thrilled to come to TAS following a year in the south of Vietnam. Conor also enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle outdoors. Hiking, swimming and discovering quirky new areas in the neighborhood are among his many interests. Most importantly, he is relatively adventurous when it comes to trying new foods, so he is looking forward to seeing what Taiwan has to offer.