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Christopher Heard, MS, LAT

Christopher Heard, MS, LAT

Chris Heard, St. James Healthcare’s Manager of Therapy and Orthopedic Services, leads the Montana Sports Medicine Team and was recently recognized nationally as a subject matter expert in his field by the National Athletic Trainers Association Professional Development Committee for Strategic Issues in Athletic Training (NATA). The Montana Sports Medicine team partners with seven local schools to provide full-time, licensed athletic trainers to the thousands of student athletes in the region.

Heard and his team have been using this model since 1996. Nick DiGiovine, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at Montana Orthopedics and Medical Director for the sports medicine program at St. James is a driving force for this program with his vision of ensuring excellent care to student athletes throughout southwest Montana. As part of the program, Dr. DiGiovine provides physician coverage for the athletes at Montana Tech, The University of Montana-Western, Butte High School and Butte Central High School. Since its inception, the program has grown to a best practice standard in the nation.

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  • Medical Model
    Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits

    This topic addresses how the organizational model for athletic training can have a direct impact not only on patient care but the athletic trainer´s professional health and well-being. The presentation will introduce concepts about how the medical model can improve patient care, compensation, life balance and retention of young professionals. The presentation will cover essential level material related to both internal and external business functions of athletic training using a medical model. Examples of how this structure can be developed in multiple employment areas will be provided. This topic aligns with the domain of organizational and Professional Health and Well-being.