March is Athletic Training Month; Local athletic trainer Brad Krambeer covers area schools

March is National Athletic Training Month.  Brad Krambeer, A.T.C., L.A.T., is the Athletic Trainer at Veterans Memorial Hospital. He has served the Allamakee Community School athletes since 1992, and has since begun offering athletic training services at Eastern Allamakee Community Schools as well.  “I truly enjoy my work with the kids at the schools and especially watching them compete,” states Krambeer.

Athletic trainers help treat and prevent injuries for people of all ages from athletes to laborers. They specialize in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of physical injuries to the muscle, ligament and bone, as well as rehabilitation following surgery. Athletic trainers are also key in teaching injury prevention by explaining flexibility exercises, proper use of equipment and applying prevention devices such as tape, bandages and braces.

Krambeer provides full coverage in Waukon for football and attends all ninth grade, JV and varsity football games. He travels to Kee High School in Lansing two days per week to provide injury assessment of any type of sports injuries that may have occurred. If a student has an injury that needs to be assessed, the student should contact their coach or school office. They then contact Krambeer to complete the assessment, which can be performed at the school or at the hospital’s rehab department. He also assists any school personnel who may be able to benefit from the sports medicine services.

Keri Picha of MFL/MarMac schools has been traveling to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Rehab Department for sports medicine therapy since January following surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus. She states, “I really enjoy coming here for my therapy. It is very helpful and Brad always makes me laugh. 

For anyone like me who has a sports injury, you just need to keep your head up and every day will get better.”

Krambeer works under the direction of the physicians that serve Veterans Memorial Hospital, as well as Amy Robinson, P.T., Rehabilitation Supervisor at the hospital, where he assists with the therapy for many physical therapy patients.

“The Veterans Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Department works and communicates well with the Gundersen Sports Medicine department, as well as both the Mayo Sport Medicine programs in both La Crosse and Rochester,” adds Krambeer.

“Keri had her surgery at Gundersen Health in La Crosse. Her older sister had physical therapy a couple years ago at Veterans Memorial Hospital, so I requested to come back here with Keri,” states Vanessa Picha, Keri’s mother. “They work so well with our schedule and are so close to home. Plus Brad has a great rapport with Keri. They get along very well and he pushes her when she needs to be pushed without being too assertive.”

Krambeer was the 2005 recipient of the Iowa Sports Medicine Award, which made him the first Athletic Trainer to ever win this honor. Previously, the award winners had been primarily physicians. These individuals are nominated by the schools and communities in which they devote endless hours to help safeguard the health and safety of student athletes. According to the Iowa High School Athletic Association, these award winners are the unsung heroes in the community who contribute significantly to their school’s athletic programs.

Krambeer is a graduate of Waukon High School. He attended Winona State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. He has been employed as the Athletic Trainer for Veterans Memorial Hospital since 1993 and is board certified by the Board of Certification (B.O.C.) for Athletic Trainers (A.T.C.) and is a state licensed athletic trainer as well.

For more information on Athletic Training services at Veterans Memorial Hospital, call Brad Krambeer, A.T.C., L.A.T, at 563-568-3411.