Henry Ford Athletic Trainer Named MATS High School Trainer of the Year

DETROIT – Nick Parkinson, lead athletic trainer in the Division of Sports Medicine at Henry Ford Health System, was named High School Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society (MATS).

The distinguished award recognized Parkinson for his exceptional work as the athletic trainer assigned to the University of Detroit-Jesuit High School. The award honors an athletic trainer at the high school level.

MATS is a professional organization for athletic trainers, athletic training students and others who advance athletic training across the state.

In a letter of recommendation supporting Parkinson’s nomination, U-D Jesuit athletic director Nick Kocsis described Parkinson as “the best I have ever worked with in over 20 years.”

“I am so fortunate to never worry about the medical care needs of our scholar-athletes. Simply put, Nick has it covered,” Kocsis said.

Parkinson has been assigned to U-D Jesuit since 2013, when he first joined Henry Ford as a licensed athletic trainer. He also assists Henry Ford sports medicine and orthopedic surgeons with patient care at the Henry Ford Medical Center-Columbus.

An athletic training and sports medicine graduate of Central Michigan University, Parkinson earned a master’s degree in exercise science from Auburn University. Prior to joining Henry Ford, he was an athletic trainer with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and Great Lakes Loons, a Class A minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Henry Ford athletic trainers support athletic programs at more than 20 high schools and universities throughout the tri-county area. They work with physicians to prevent, evaluate, diagnosis, treat and rehabilitate athletic injuries.

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MEDIA CONTACT:   David Olejarz / David.Olejarz@hfhs.org / 313.874.4094