PT Named First Female Head Athletic Trainer in Major Sports
APTA member Sue Falsone, PT, MS, SCS, ATC, on Monday was named the head trainer and physical therapist (PT) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the first female head athletic trainer in the history of major professional sports, according to a Major League Baseball article.
Falsone became the first female PT in the Major Leagues when she was hired by the Dodgers in 2007 and worked in that role through the 2010 season. In addition to her new responsibilities, she will continue with Athletes' Performance (AP) as vice president of performance physical therapy and team sports and spearhead a new partnership between the Dodgers and AP to build a comprehensive physical development program for all levels of the organization.
"This is special on so many levels," Falsone said of her appointment. "First, just to be entrusted by an organization like the Los Angeles Dodgers is special. Second, it's surprising it took to 2011 for [a woman named as head trainer] to happen. There are so many women on the high school and college levels that are athletic trainers, it was bound to happen, but it's surprising this is the first time."