Training Services

The West Jefferson Hills School District proudly partners with Allegheny Health Network to meet all of your student athlete's medical needs. With this partnership, a certified athletic trainer is on-site for practices and home athletic events. Our certified athletic trainer specializes in emergency care, concussion management, and injury prevention/treatment. Aside from providing immediate care, your student-athlete will have access to specialized care provided by an AHN team physician, extended orthopedic and medical professionals, physical therapy, and sports performance through their certified athletic trainer.What is an athletic trainer?
https://www.atyourownrisk.org/who-are-athletic-trainers?source=nata-cornerpeel%C2%A0
 

Athletic Trainers & Team Physician

Jennifer McNamara, MS, LAT, ATC, NREMT
Jmcnamara@wjhsd.net
Jen completed her Bachelor’s degree in athletic training at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020. She then pursued a Master’s in advanced athletic training with a concentration in youth and adolescent health at the University of South Florida and graduated in 2022. She has been an athletic trainer with the Allegheny Health Network since 2020, and at Thomas Jefferson since 2022.

Dylan Nessenson, MS, LAT, ATC
Dnessenson@wjhsd.net
Dylan completed his Bachelor’s degree in athletic training at the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. He then pursued a Master’s in athletic training at East Stroudsburg and graduated in 2019. He has been an athletic trainer at Thomas Jefferson since 2019, and at Allegheny Health Network since 2022.

Additionally, AHN has partnered with Healthy Roster, a free technology system that allows you to electronically upload athletic medical forms, track your student athlete's injury status, and keep an open line of communication between you and your certified athletic trainer. Please click here to learn more about Healthy Roster.

Concussions

At WJHSD, our athletic trainers administer baseline concussion tests to most athletes prior to their first athletic season of the school year. Baseline concussion tests are used to compare results after having been diagnosed with a concussion by a physician, and completing the return to play protocol proscribed. The athletic trainer will then re-administer the concussion test so that the physician can compare results to ensure that your child’s brain function is back to their baseline values, and that they don’t still have functional deficits. The physician will then clear your child if the results are back to your child’s normal levels. The concussion test is NOT a diagnostic tool. If you or your child believe they may have a concussion, please reach out to one of our athletic trainers and they will walk you through the process and what your next steps should be. The teams that are administered baseline tests include, but are not limited to:

Middle School:
Cheer
Football
Wrestling

High School:
Cheer
Football
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Hockey
Swimming & Diving
Wrestling
Baseball
Softball
Track & Field
Boys Volleyball

Any athlete who participates in a sport not mentioned in the above list is able to have a baseline concussion test upon request. Please reach out to one of our athletic trainers to inquire about having your child tested if desired.