SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 660

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the vital work done by licensed athletic trainers in this state on the occasion of Licensed Athletic Trainers Month; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 2,900 licensed athletic trainers in the State of Texas; these health care professionals have years of education and training in maintaining the health and safety of student athletes and other individuals in every athletic health care setting; and

WHEREAS, They are also able to respond to emergencies and provide care for all individuals in both clinical and athletic settings; and

WHEREAS, Athletic trainers are well versed in all aspects of preventative medicine and sport-specific injuries, and they are valued members of the concussion oversight team; and

WHEREAS, Athletic trainers work with the consent of a physician or other health care provider licensed to refer for the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and physical rehabilitation of a sport-related injury or illness, and they must meet specific standards of education, professionalism, and ethics and be duly licensed by the State Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, a division of the Texas Department of Health; and

WHEREAS, Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings, including secondary schools, universities, clinics, hospitals, and industrial and occupational settings, and they are widely respected as complete health care providers whose spectrum of care ranges from prevention to the patient's return to activity; and

WHEREAS, Early evaluation and prompt treatment of injuries are of vital importance because they may reduce recovery time and decrease complications in the event of a severe injury; athletic trainers can make a vital difference in their role as first responders to an injury; and

WHEREAS, In the last year, four Texas licensed athletic trainers distinguished themselves by reacting to emergency situations and initiating procedures that resulted in saving lives; and

WHEREAS, During fall football practice at the University of Houston in 2012, two defensive backs collided in mid-air and then collapsed on the field; when one of the athletes did not get up, he was immediately attended to by head athletic trainer Michael O'Shea, who recognized the seriousness of the athlete's symptoms and immediately stabilized him and called for an ambulance; the athlete was later diagnosed with a torn inferior vena cava, a condition that would have resulted in certain death had treatment been delayed; athletic trainer Michael O'Shea's immediate recognition of the seriousness of the player's condition and his quick actions saved the athlete's life; and

WHEREAS, During a 2012 varsity football game at James E. Rudder High School in Bryan, an athlete collapsed while coming off the field after a punt; athletic trainers Jaime Woodall and Michael Lozano went to the athlete's aid even before timeout was called; the athlete was experiencing agonal breathing, a life-threatening condition, which was alleviated when the athletic trainers rolled him over; the athletic trainers stabilized the athlete's head and neck and began chest compressions; emergency medical services were activated, and an automated external defibrillator was used to restore the athlete's heart rhythm; the athlete was later diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder, and he could have died on the field if not for the quick actions of athletic trainers Michael Lozano and Jaime Woodall; and

WHEREAS, During a Leander Vista Ridge High School football game in 2012, an elderly male fan collapsed in the stands; athletic trainer Michael Henry immediately headed to the fan's side, calling for an athletic training student to bring the school's automated external defibrillator; by the time he reached the collapsed man, bystanders had already begun cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Mr. Henry used the defibrillator and restored the old gentleman's vital signs, and he monitored him until emergency medical services personnel arrived; the man had a history of heart problems and would not have survived without the quick actions of the bystanders and athletic trainer Michael Henry; and

WHEREAS, After a girls' basketball playoff game at Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland on the night of February 19, 2013, athletic trainer Monica Jackson was on her way from the locker room to the gymnasium when she was informed that a man had fallen in the bleachers and needed help; as she approached, the injured man was lying on the bench, and a doctor assessing him stated that he could detect no pulse; Monica Jackson held the man's head as the doctor began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; at the same time, she advised an officer to call emergency medical services and sent someone to retrieve the school's automated external defibrillator, which she then calmly used to analyze the patient's heart rhythm and restore his pulse by the time Pearland Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital; if it had not been for athletic trainer Monica Jackson's knowledge, composure, and quick actions, the patient likely would have died; and

WHEREAS, Because of their training and experience, their skill, and their immediate response, these five athletic trainers played a vital role in saving the lives of four athletes and fans, and they are truly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commend licensed athletic trainers Michael O'Shea, Jaime Woodall, Michael Lozano, Michael Henry, and Monica Jackson for their dedication, their expertise, and the immediate and lifesaving medical actions they took in these incidents; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for them as an expression of highest regard from the Texas Senate.

Deuell

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 17, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate