Meet the Athletic Trainer: Leanne Harkness, MS, LAT, ATC

We're continuing our “Meet the Athletic Trainer” series by introducing Leanne Harkness, MS, LAT, ATC, one of the dedicated athletic trainers serving at McMinn Central High School and helping keep local student-athletes healthy, safe and performing at their best through Starr Regional Medical Center's partnership with local high schools.

For Leanne, athletic training was a natural fit. A lifelong sports enthusiast who has played "almost every sport under the sun at least once," she became fascinated by the human body's ability to heal and the science behind optimizing recovery and performance.

With more than 15 years of experience as an athletic trainer, plus two years as a graduate assistant, Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the student-athletes she serves.

"The human body is incredible, and figuring out how it heals and how to optimize that healing was something that caught my attention."

Leanne provides coverage for a wide range of sports, including football, volleyball, girls and boys soccer, cross country, golf, wrestling, basketball, cheer, baseball, softball, tennis and track.

A typical day begins around noon as she prepares rehabilitation plans, treatments and taping schedules before athletes start arriving. After helping athletes in the training room, she spends afternoons and evenings moving between practices and athletic events, often attending eight or more practices and competitions each week.

What does she enjoy most about her role?
"Building relationships with student-athletes and being able to go through a journey with them, from what may seem like the end of the world to them to getting back out to competition."

Leanne says the most rewarding part of being on the sidelines is watching athletes' hard work pay off.

"Watching the athletes you work with day in and day out prove all their hard work is paying off."

When it comes to injury prevention, her advice is simple but important:
Nutrition, hydration and sleep are often underrated when it comes to injury prevention and performance.

As part of Starr Regional Medical Center's sports medicine program, Leanne plays an important role in helping athletes and their families navigate injuries and recovery.

"Having athletic training services available provides education on injuries for both athletes and parents, gives them options they may not be aware of, and allows us to work with them daily to support recovery and performance."

Outside of work, Leanne is an early bird, starts her day with coffee, reaches for a zero-sugar energy drink in the afternoon, enjoys working out and anything music-related, and cheers for Arsenal Football Club (soccer to the Americans 😉).

One lesson she hopes athletes carry with them beyond sports medicine is:
"Positivity goes a long way. There's always something that can be done to improve. Never assume you know what others are going through."

And her message to the athletes, parents and coaches she serves:
"There's so much more to sport than scoring points. Don't take any of it for granted, even the hard practices and games. One day you will play for the last time. Enjoy the ride!"

Stay tuned as we continue our Meet the Athletic Trainer series and introduce the athletic trainers making a difference in the lives of local student-athletes every day.

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