Beth Swanson of Sauk Centre and Osakis Public Schools Named the Regional Nominee for The 2018 – 2019 Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award

Certified athletic trainer Beth Swanson, M.Ed., L.A.T., O.T.C., of Sauk Centre and Osakis public schools has been named the Regional Nominee for The 2018 – 2019 Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. As the Regional Nominee, Swanson will advance on to join other Regional Nominees from across the nation to be considered for the title of The Newell Award National Athletic Trainer of the Year, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

In partnership with local leading orthopedic practices, such as Heartland Orthopedic Specialists in Alexandria, Willmar, Morris, Graceville, Wadena and Fergus Falls, The 2018 – 2019 Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award recognizes athletic trainers for the service and leadership they provide to local athletic communities. Based on examples of service, leadership and shared experiences from community members, nominees for The Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award are determined regionally. Nearly 200 exceptional shared experiences from community members were received in support of Swanson’s regional nomination for the National Award.

“The outpouring of support from community members on Ms. Swanson’s behalf has been tremendous and certainly well-deserved,” says Dr. Eric Nelson, board-certified sports medicine surgeon at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists. “We feel honored to acknowledge her efforts by partnering with The Newell Award to recognize the region’s top athletic trainers for the service and leadership they display while treating our community’s athletes.”

Swanson has been an athletic trainer for over 10 years and received her undergraduate degree in athletic training from Minnesota State University in Moorhead and her master’s degree in athletic training from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. In her current position, Swanson takes on a variety of clinical roles in working with Osakis and Sauk Centre public schools and their athletes to help them return to play following an injury. She has also been active in legislative efforts, served on various committees and presented at conferences at the state, district and national levels.

In addition to Swanson, there were other exceptional candidates considered for regional nomination for The 2018 – 2019 Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, including Scott Scholl of Alexandria Area High School and Chris Siegel, M.S., L.A.T., A.T.C., C.S.C.S., I.T.A.T., of Hancock Public School.

To learn more about The Newell Award, visit TheNewellAward.com/HeartlandOrthopedics.