Stephanie Vasquez of McDonough said she is grateful to be recognized for her impact on the lives of student athletes.
“At the end of the day, that’s why I do what I do,” she said. “It’s for them.”
Vasquez, 31, recently received the inaugural Dr. Champ Baker, Jr. Young Professional Athletic Trainer Leadership Award from the Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association.
“I was extremely honored that I was thought of this so early in my career,” said Vasquez, athletic trainer at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough. “I was grateful that I’ve been able to get involved professionally so early on in my career.”
Vasquez provides first aid, concussion care, mental health care and other services for approximately 200 young athletes a year at ELCA. Her latest accolade honors young professional athletic trainers in Georgia who have been certified for 12 years or less. Vasquez earned her certification 10 years ago and has worked for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for the last three years.
“As an athletic trainer, I’m responsible for the health and well-being of the student athletes,” said Vasquez. “I help them with injury prevention, rehab, getting them to doctor appointments, and I’m the first responder when an injury occurs.”
The award recognizes athletic trainers’ leadership development with GATA and the regional Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association. News of Vasquez’s award spread quickly, thanks to social media and GATA.
GATA sent out a message on Twitter announcing the award, which was retweeted by more than 100 parents of her student athletes.
Vasquez said she is grateful for the positive response in light of the award.
“One parent put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘I just needed a moment to touch greatness,’” she said.
Vasquez commended the student athletes at ELCA for their “strong desire to win” and to compete at the next level. She added that her mentors at CHOA and throughout her career have helped her to realize that she is a leader, and that they have encouraged her to strive for personal improvement.
Vasquez said she appreciates the opportunity to help student athletes to reach their goals. “Most of my athletes are all very competitive, so they’re all striving to get college scholarships, and I get to be a piece of their puzzle,” she said.
