Thanks to a partnership between Wilkes County Schools and Wake Forest Baptist Health, every high school in Wilkes County has a certified athletic trainer. The athletic trainer works with that school's coaching staff, school nurses, athletic administrators, parents, and WFBH Sports Medicine specialists to provide expert level care to student athletes. Certified athletic trainers:

• Help students prevent injury

• Treat and rehabilitate injuries and athletic related illnesses

• Recognize and evaluate head injuries and concussions

• Offer nutritional counseling

• Develop and implement comprehensive emergency action plans for when serious injuries occur