Athletic Trainers

Introduction

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Athletic trainers are highly qualified healthcare professionals who collaborate with our sports medicine physicians to provide medical care for athletes in many areas of clinical practice including prevention, immediate and emergency care, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning.

At University Orthopedics, we want to get you back in the game. Our athletic trainers are committed to providing the specialized care you need to maintain health in the sports you love. We are with you every step of the way, from injury prevention to post injury management and return to athletics.

Sports medicine for the young athlete

Sports medicine experts across the U.S. have noticed that there is an alarming trend in “professional-level” injuries among young athletes. The number of youth injuries is reaching epidemic proportions and young athletes are experiencing overuse injuries at younger and younger ages. The high rate of youth sports injuries is fueled by an increase in overuse and trauma injuries with a lack of attention by coaches to injury prevention.

Overuse injuries impact young athletes in the short term but often lead to long-term consequences. Having proper preventive measures such as pre-participation physicals, stretching, cross-training, hydration, nutrition, and open communication about pain among all participants (coaches, athletes, parents, and healthcare providers) can help aid recovery and avoid long-term consequences. Our athletic trainers make it a priority to address this injury trend through prevention as well as appropriate evidence-based treatment methods for their student athletes at all levels of care.

Our objective is to help the teen athlete mature into adulthood without the development of long-term sports ailments.

Clinical Staff

Kate Wilks – Manager of Athletic Training Services

Kate is the Manager of Athletic Training Services for University Orthopedics. She received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from Quinnipiac University and is a Board Certified Athletic Trainer through the BOC.  She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and has served as Public Relations Chair for the Rhode Island Athletic Trainers Association. Kate has experience working in many different settings, including Division I Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s Soccer, Softball, and Men’s Lacrosse at Quinnipiac University; Yale University Football; Gymnastics and Men’s Basketball at University of Bridgeport; and Assumption College Football. Kate has been the Head Athletic Trainer at South Kingstown High School since 2016. Her clinical interests include “whole athlete” wellness, athletic injury rehabilitation, and manual therapy techniques.

Kara Renaud – Associate Athletic Trainer

Kara Renaud is an Associate Athletic Trainer for University Orthopedics. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Lasell University in 2019 and a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from Lasell University in 2020. She is a member of both the National Athletic Trainers Association and the Rhode Island Athletic Trainers Association.  Kara has experience working in different settings including Division 1 Football at Harvard University, Men’s Lacrosse at Babson College, and multiple sport coverage at Wellesley College, Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, and The Rivers Private High School, and Chariho High School.  She has been the Head Athletic Trainer at St. Andrew’s School in Barrington, Rhode Island since 2021. Her clinical areas of interest are sports psychology and manual therapy techniques.