Payten Gerjerts, MS, ATC, earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Northern Iowa. She then moved to Chicago to complete her master’s degree in applied exercise physiology from the University of Illinois Chicago. While in graduate school, she started working for Athletico Physical Therapy as a PRN employee. Once finished with schooling, Gerjerts moved from a PRN to a full-time employee with Athletico, servicing a large private high school in the northern suburbs of Chicago. In 2007, she transitioned from field to management and has held several different roles in the athletic training department. She currently serves as a director, overseeing more than 200 ATs in Chicago, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Michigan.