MedWest Sports Medicine welcomes new athletic trainers

9/7/2011

CLYDE, N.C. -- MedWest Sports Medicine has hired Doug Branch, MS, LAT, ATC, and Angie Arndt, MSEd, LAT, ATC, to serve as athletic trainers for three Haywood County schools.

Branch is working with the athletic programs at Pisgah High School, and Arndt with the programs at Waynesville and Bethel middle schools, as well as providing support at Pisgah.

Branch has a masters of science in Health and Physical Education, with an emphasis in Athletic Training, from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., and a bachelor’s in Athletic Training from Wingate University in Wingate, N.C. With 12 years of experience, Branch also has been a clinical instructor for Western Carolina University’s athletic training program and volunteered at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado where he assisted with the volleyball and wrestling teams.

Arndt has a master’s degree from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from WCU. She has covered a variety of collegiate sports, including softball and track and field, and most recently worked for two years as the athletic trainer for Virginia Tech’s women’s lacrosse team.

Branch and Arndt will be on site daily at the high school and middle schools, covering practices and games and working with coaches and players on injury assessment and rehabilitation, and injury prevention.

“I am excited to be back at Pisgah,” said Branch. “The coaches and athletes are a great group of people to work with. The athletes always give a 110 percent, and I just want to provide a safe environment so that they can continue to compete at the highest level.”

"Athletic injuries can happen to anyone on a field or court, from the student-athlete to a referee or a coach,” said Arndt. “I'm excited about being able to work with so many student-athletes and having the opportunity to give back to the community."

Branch and Arndt are two of four MedWest Sports Medicine athletic trainers providing coverage to Haywood County’s high school and middle school athletic programs during the 2011-12 year. The MedWest Sports Medicine team also includes orthopedic surgeon Dr. Chris Catterson and physical therapists Doug Scarborough and David Yount

"I am excited about the addition of Doug Branch and Angie Arndt to our MedWest Sports Medicine team in Haywood County,” said Dr. Catterson. “As our program continues to grow, Doug and Angie will build upon our commitment to provide the best sports medicine care for the student-athletes and coaches in our community.  We are currently the sole provider of sports medicine coverage for all of the Haywood County high schools, middle schools and community teams.”

For more information on MedWest Sports Medicine, call (828) 452-8077 or visit www.drcatterson.com or www.medwesthealth.org.