STAR Certified Athletic Trainer Holly Taylor Named Tennessee Clinic / Professional Trainer of the Year
We are proud to announce that our very own Certified Athletic Trainer Holly Taylor will be awarded the “Joe Worden Clinic / Professional Trainer of the Year Award” from the state of Tennessee this weekend.
Holly is a very deserving recipient of this award as she exemplifies all the qualities of an outstanding Certified Athletic Trainer. Each year, the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society (TATS) considers many candidates for this award. TATS describes the award as follows:
“Joe Worden, former head athletic trainer at Vanderbilt University has been described as the consummate athletic trainer. His regard for each athlete in his care provided a level of compassion and professionalism that was demonstrated both on and off the field. This award is given to that individual who best exemplifies the qualities that Joe Worden demonstrated in his illustrious and unselfish career.”
Holly was moved upon learning that she would receive this award. “It is quite humbling that my contributions to Athletic Training are comparable with the attributes of this award”, said Taylor. “I just do what I love. I don’t feel like I ‘go to work’ everyday. Following different orthopedic doctors and working in physical therapy most of my career has allowed me to grow and learn in a way that school alone could never teach. The benefits of those experiences definitely spill over into how I treat my athletes and remind me of how important it is to always keep learning.”
Shawn Allender, ATC/L, Director of Outreach, and Partner at STAR Physical Therapy had this to so about Taylor: “Holly is a dedicated Certified Athletic Trainer that has served the athletes and community members of Robertson County for over 10 years. Holly has served on the clinical education committees for STAR and the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society ensuring that Certified Athletic Trainers across the state are current on the latest trends in clinical education and research. STAR Physical Therapy and Springfield, Tennessee are blessed to have Holly Taylor.”
Holly became interested in the athletic training profession at a young age. “I played basketball, softball, tennis, and volleyball in high school. After several knee and ankle injuries/surgeries, I had great experiences with our athletic trainer and physical therapy. I knew then what I wanted to do with my life”, Holly shared. While playing basketball at Wilmington College in Ohio, Holly injured her knee for the last time and had a career ending surgery. She earned her degree and became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 1996.
In 2002, Holly decided she wanted to move to Tennessee. While in town visiting with friends, we connected with Taylor and hired her immediately. She has spent her entire career with STAR working in Springfield at Springfield High School while also helping with ATC coverage at East Robertson High School, Jo Byrns, and White House Heritage.
Congratulations on this well deserved honor Holly. We are so proud to have you working with us!