Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Department
Bethel University Sports Medicine is an integral part of athletics at Bethel University. Our athletic trainers provide professional sports medicine services in order to ensure the safety and competitiveness of our 800 student athletes across 31 sports.
Our athletic trainers work under the skilled expertise of Heather Melton, M.D., and Twin Rivers Orthopedics to provide prevention, recognition, evaluation and rehabilitation services. Our athletic trainers also work closely with our on-campus health services and other outside medical providers to ensure that every athlete has access to the right care when they need it. Every athletic trainer on our staff holds a state medical license and national certification and is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
Vision Statement
The Bethel University Sports Medicine staff will become the leader in the NAIA in providing athletic training and sports medicine services to our student-athletes by operating in a positive manner that fulfills the Christian mission statement of Bethel University and by staying cutting edge in continuing education and application of the highest professional standards in the field of athletic training.
Successful achievement of our vision statement will be measured by how quickly we safely return student-athletes to their prospective sports and achieve perfect compliance with all legal and ethical standards set forth by the State of Tennessee, National Athletic Trainers' Association, Board of Certification and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people" (Ephesians 6:7 NLT)
General Information
325 Cherry Ave., McKenzie, TN 38201
Main Number: (731) 352-4294
Sports Medicine Fax: (731) 352-6916
BU Sports Medicine Staff
Jason Essary, MAEd, LAT, ATC - Director of Sports Medicine - (901) 283-6685, essaryj@bethelu.edu
Kadin Ricciardi - Athletic Trainer - (731) 352-4294, ricciardik@bethelu.edu
Tyesha Smith - Athletic Training Intern - (731) 352-4294, smithty@bethelu.edu
Helpful Information