Jill Sleight Receives Excellence in Athletic Training Award
The Far West Athletic Trainers’ Association is pleased to announce the Fall 2019 winner of the Excellence in Athletic Training Award. This award is a unique and prestigious accolade, which recognizes a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association who displays an exceptional commitment to mentoring, professional development, and enhancing the quality of health care, as well as, demonstrates the highest level of service, professionalism, and competence.
This quarter’s winner is Jill Sleight, ATC. Jill is the co-founder and Executive Director of the West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation located in Manhattan Beach, CA. The WCSMF is a non-profit organization that provides free medical care to low-income high school districts in the Los Angeles area. Jill Sleight and Dr. Keith S. Feder founded the West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation-Team to Win program in 1994. The foundation also hosts a sports medicine mentoring program every summer, and provides internship opportunities for those interested in the field, as well as, sponsoring between 6 and 8 scholarships for high school students who wish to pursue an education in sports medicine.
“I am truly honored to be recognized with the FWATA Excellence in Athletic Training Award knowing that there are so many admirable Athletic Trainers within our district,” said Sleight. “I have been dedicated to athletic training and focused in providing sports medicine care for high school student athletes for over 25 years. My commitment to mentoring students with an interest in athletic training is my passion.”
In regards to starting the foundation, Dr. Feder said, “as an orthopedic surgeon and team doctor covering local schools in the area, I knew that the underprivileged inner city youth were receiving less than optimal care. Jill and I knew that we could do more for this underserved community. Certified Athletic Trainers are critical and necessary in providing outstanding and elite medical care to all athletes. With Jill’s passionate leadership, TTW sports medicine care and mentoring programs continue to be impactful.”
Sleight is an alumna of the Athletic Training Program at San Diego State University. She has been active in the profession at the state level holding leadership positions within the California Athletic Trainers’ Association and pushing the fight for licensure in California.
Jill Sleight was nominated by fellow Athletic Trainer, Charlenne Medina, who works at WCSMF. “Jill is the kindest, most selfless person I know. She has an enormous heart and always wants to help. It is the nature of our profession to be kind and compassionate, but Jill goes beyond that,” said Medina.
WCSMF-TTW provides more than 1 million dollars per year in free medical care as well as provides Sports Medicine education and CPR/AED training to more than 400 high school students per year in the mentoring program. WCSMF continues to be the only program in the entire U.S. providing these free outreach services. For more information visit: www.wcsportsmed.com.
WCSMF- West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation
TTW- Team To Win (High School Outreach Program)
Courtesy of the FWATA Public Relations Committee
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