About Us
The Auburn High School Sports Medicine program is designed to allow students an opportunity to explore and gain experience in the Health Sciences field. The program includes four courses that can be taken in series: Preventive Medicine, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Sports Medicine and Advanced Sports Medicine.
Preventive Medicine is open to all high school students, offers a PE cross-credit and is a great way for students to get familiar with the program. This is the course for students who may not be sure if they're interested in the field but is also a great starting point for students who know they are interested! Topics covered include designing a fitness program, American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid certification, and Swedish Massage. See the official course description here.
Human Anatomy and Physiology is the foundational science for all health and medical future-professionals. It is also relevant for anyone, even those interested in other fields, because we can all benefit from understanding our bodies-how they operate and how to help them perform at their best. It is not necessary that students take Preventive Medicine before taking Human Anatomy and Physiology. This class is open to grades 10, 11 and 12 and is the prerequisite course for Sports Medicine. Students build an understanding of the arrangement and functions of the body throughout the year organ system by organ system. See the official course description here.
Sports Medicine builds on students' understanding of Human Anatomy and Physiology and incorporates practical skills for taking care of the body. In the classroom, students learn skills for preventing, treating, reconditioning and evaluating athletic injuries. Also, as a part of this course, students work under the supervision of a Licensed Athletic Trainer to apply the skills they are learning in class in authentic patient care serving AHS's student athletes at their practices, competitions and out of our clinic--the Athletic Training Room. This course is ideal for students who want to experience what real-life patient care is like and those who don't want to wait until they complete a degree to start building their resume' of experience. See the official course description here.
Advanced Sports Medicine meets with Sports Medicine in a "split-class" format. Advanced Sports Medicine students continue patient care under the supervision of a Licensed Athletic Trainer while mentoring Sports Medicine students, which helps them master their skills and understanding. Advanced Sports Medicine students learn additional prevention techniques, injury evaluations, and therapeutic modalities beyond what they learned while in Sports Medicine. See the official course description here.
About the Instructor
Krista Parsons is a graduate of AHS Sports Medicine class of 1999. She studied pre-medicine and athletic training at Western Washington University while minoring in Chemistry and Biology. She became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2004. After working at AHS in the Athletic Trainer role, she discovered her calling to go into Sports Medicine as an educator. She attended the University of Puget Sound where she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching and started teaching at AHS in Fall of 2005. Mrs. Parsons' favorite part of teaching is that it never feels like work! It's just building relationships with amazing people around conversations about topics she is passionate about-the incredible human body and how to take care of it. Her hobbies include spending quality time with her family, swimming, cycling and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and beyond!
Student and Family Testimonials
We love to hear from our students! Please let us know what you're up to and tell us about your experience in AHS Sports Medicine. We'll include it here. A picture of you doing what you do now would be really cool too!
"Parsons! I just wanted to let you know this quarter I'm taking a biological structures class at UW and it's very similar to the anatomy class you teach at Auburn! I thought it was crazy that exactly four years ago when I was a sophomore in high school, I was taking your anatomy class and now I'm a sophomore in college, and all of the material is so easy to pick up and comes right back to me... I'm so happy and thankful I took your class in high school!" --Madison Johnson, Registered Nurse, AHS Class of 2015
“Mrs. Parsons! I hope this finds you well and your family healthy and happy! This past month I completed the education chapter toward my Chiropractic career. I am a fully licensed provider in the State of Oregon. Soon to pursue licensure in Washington state. I'm reaching out simply to say thank you! You're instruction both in the field and in the classroom set a foundation for my desire to go after this career. It has been a journey and an accomplishment that would not have been without your participation in my education and instruction. Through anatomy, physiology and practical instruction I was able to refresh and rely on knowledge first gained in your classroom!”
-David Rief, Doctor of Chiropractic, AHS Class of 2007
"I do not know what you ladies are doing to my kid, but I LOVE IT! She has come home pumped up every time she
works on her cat. Last night, driving home from tennis practice she turned down the radio, "MOM OMGosh MOM (bouncing in her seat) COOOOOOLEST thing I have EVER seen in my whole life..." She went
on to tell me about the uterus, fallopian tubes and so on. When home and out of the car she proceeded to tell the rest of the family, then on the phone to her friend. Her enthusiasm was
contagious. Her pure excitement over this cat gives me goosebumps. Her eyes light up and her voice changes. Just a note of appreciation to the both of you. You may have just given her a vision
for her future, and for that I am truly grateful."
Amy Thackeray, Parent of a 2016 Human Anatomy and Physiology Student
"I would like to thank you for teaching me CPR. I would never (have) thought I would use it so soon but today my friend collapsed in front of the school and was unconscious and not breathing. I gave her CPR and she is now alive and at the hospital. I just want to thank you so very much because she is alive because of what you taught me."
2017 Preventive Medicine student