Methodist Healthcare’s Very Important Athlete (VIA) is designed to quickly assist an injured athlete in getting to the appropriate next point of care, whether that’s the emergency room, urgent care or a follow up with a physician. The VIA program is available to all schools and student athletes in the greater San Antonio area.
How’s the VIA Program work?
When an athlete is injured during a sporting event, the athletic trainer on site will evaluate the injury and then place an immediate phone call to the Methodist Healthcare Specialized Call Center. The call center/transfer center representative instructs the athletic trainer on site as to which Methodist Healthcare facility the injured athlete should be directed, expediting the entire admittance process for those athletes requiring emergency care.
Why the VIA Program?
The VIA program provides schools and athletes a variety of benefits:
- Shorter wait times for trips to the ER [hyperlink to ER page]
- Expedited service
- Dedicated specialists
- Coordinated care after an ER visit
What is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic Trainers (AT’s) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who work with the sports medicine team to provide care for student athletes throughout the Great San Antonio area. AT’s are skilled in assessing and treating injuries, injury/illness prevention, immediate and emergency care, and rehabilitation protocols. Athletic Trainers work alongside team sports physicians to provide all around quality care for their athletes.
About our Athletic Trainers
Our Athletic Trainers (AT’s) are all required to have a either a Bachelors Degree or Master’s Degree in addition to a Texas State Licensure and many are nationally certified by the Board of Certification. Our Methodist Healthcare Athletic Trainers are experts in their field across a variety of content including:
- Emergency and acute care for injuries and illnesses
- Clinical examination
- Evidence-based practice
- Health care administration
- Prevention and health promotion
- Psychosocial strategies and referrals
- Therapeutic interventions
Where our Athletic Trainers work
- Primary and secondary schools
- Intercollegiate athletics
- Professional sports
- Club sports
- Sports performance facilities
- Sports medicine clinics
- Hospital Emergency Rooms
- Law enforcement and military
- Occupational and industrial settings
- Performing arts
- Physician offices
COVID-19 and our Athletic Trainers
Our Athletic Trainers are a great resource when you have questions about COVID-19 and all the different pre-caution recommendations that must be followed with sports. Every athletic trainer on our team is committed to keeping athletes, staff and others involved in supporting sporting events safe. Your Athletic Trainer is always connected to Methodist Healthcare providers to ensure they are up to date on all safety precautions.
Athletic Trainers in Your Area
Rodney Murray
College: Texas State University
School supporting: Smithson Valley High School
Methodist ER
Bio: Rodney Murray graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in Athletic Training in 1999. Rodney is currently employed as an Athletic Trainer for Smithson Valley High School and has served the Rangers since 1999. During that time, he has been a member of server professional organizations including:
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association
- Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association – Registration Committee
- Texas State Athletic Trainers’ Association – Board Chairman/Region 8 Director
- Alamo Area Athletic Trainers’ Association
- Symposium Chair – current position
- President – 2011-2013
Brian Zettler
School supporting: Smithson Valley High School
Methodist ER
Bio: Brian Zettler currently coordinates sports medicine coverage for Comal ISD schools in New Braunfels, TX and serves as the Head Athletic Trainer at Smithson Valley High School. He recently served as Head Athletic Trainer for the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football and previously operated as a consultant for Intermountain Health Care in Salt Lake City, Utah. In June 2017, he stepped down as Head Athletic Trainer for the Utah Jazz after having served 20 years in the NBA. While serving as an ATC in the NBA, Zettler’s responsibilities entailed the management of athlete health care including prevention evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of player health matters on a daily basis, coordination of team travel and supervision of the Sports Medicine and support staffs. He also managed the Jazz equipment from 2004-2014 and helped coordinate the strength program. Prior to his time with the Jazz, he served as an assistant athletic trainer with the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys.
Samantha Ritchie
College: Texas State University
School supporting: Alamo Heights High School
Methodist ER
Bio: Samantha Ritchie is the current Assistant Athletic Trainer for Alamo Heights HS. She previously was the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Holmes High School within NISD. She holds her license with the State of Texas and is certified through the Board of Certification for Athletic Training. She has graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Samantha is a San Antonio native who attended private schools growing up. She is a current member of the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association, Alamo Area Athletic Trainers Association and Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association.
Christopher Smith
College: Tarleton State University
School supporting: Alamo Heights High School
Methodist ER
Bio: Chris Smith is the current Head Athletic Trainer for Alamo Heights HS. He previously served as Assistant Athletic Trainer for DeSoto ISD in his hometown of DeSoto, TX. He is licensed by the State of Texas and certified through the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, having completed his education at Texas State University with a Bachelor of Health and Wellness Promotion and Master of Science in Athletic Training at Tarleton State University. In his role as Head Athletic Trainer for AHHS, Smith oversees the medical care of all student-athletes at AHHS, as well as day to day operations of the Sports Medicine Program. Smith is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association, in which he currently serves on the SWATA Young Professionals Committee.
