Athletic Trainers
About Our Athletic Trainers
Athletic trainers work closely with professional and student athletes to help them keep performing their best. Our ATEAM – Athletic Training Education And Medical Program – is designed to protect athletes, provide knowledge and insights to play safely and prevent injuries. Trainers are also there to aid in recovery, helping athletes of all ages return to the game faster and as confident as they were before.
Broken bones, muscle tears, joint sprains and concussions are common injuries for athletes competing in a wide variety of sports and games. Having an athletic trainer on the sidelines during competitive sports helps ensure that if a student athlete is injured, they can receive expert medical care immediately and prevent further complications or issues.
Athletic trainers that are a part of the ATEAM program in Western New York are specially trained to work with athletes as part of their recovery from an injury or surgery. They participate in annual continuing education programs, keeping them sharp on the sidelines. They work one-on-one with athletes to help them redevelop or restore motion and control and recover any lost movement on function that may have happened during the healing process. This rehabilitation work is key to ensuring that athletes can recover completely and quickly so they can get back in action.
As a comprehensive orthopaedics and musculoskeletal care practice, UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine can help with the diagnosis and recovery of a wide range of injuries and issues for athletics. We work with pediatrics and youth athletes through professional sports players, including members of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Emily Bannister, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer, Eden Central Schools
Merle Cortellucci, ATC
Supervising Athletic Trainer for the Buffalo Public Schools
Danielle Dorchak, ATC
Athletic Trainer for Cheektowaga Central Schools
Reanne Dressler, ATC
Athletic Trainer
Rosealin Heinemann, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer for Lockport High School
Tim Kennedy, ATC
Athletic Trainer for East Aurora Schools
Karyn Kiblin, ATC
Athletic Trainer Per Diem for Buffalo Public Schools
Jennifer Marki, ATC
Athletic Trainer for Iroquois Central Schools
Alycia Meek, MS, ATC
Athletic Trainer, Buffalo Public Schools
Jalen Mergenhagen, MS, ATC
Athletic Trainer, Depew School District
Katie Miller, ATC, MSA
Head Athletic Trainer at Frontier Central Schools
Jeremy Plochko, ATC
Athletic Trainer for Maryvale Union Free School District
Nicole Rakoski, ATC
Athletic Trainer for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and Physician Extender for Dr. Michael Ferrick
Anessa Sherman, MS, ATC
Athletic Trainer, Buffalo Public Schools
Patrick Sparks, ATC
Athletic Trainer/Research Assistant
Joseph Warner, ATC
Athletic Trainer for Buffalo Public Schools