Athletic training

Columbus Community Hospital provides athletic training services to the three Columbus high schools, and outreach services for athletic departments at Central Community College and several high schools in the surrounding area. Click here to view the map of schools included in our service area.

From game coverage to injury assessment and management to return to play, our experienced, professional staff of full-time, certified athletic trainers and physical therapists at Premier Physical Therapy are able to meet the needs of area athletes and their families.

Our goal is to keep you safe and ready for competition in the most efficient manner possible.

We are very proud of the work our athletic trainers complete for our community each year. Please review the major accomplishments from 2021-22 in our latest annual report.

Our services

CCH’s athletic trainers have Athletic Training Certification (ATC).

Our staff of full-time athletic trainers also provide XLNTbrain, a neurocognitive test for concussions. Through the XLNTbrain program, our athletic trainers, sports medicine staff and Concussion Management Clinic staff have access to an online platform and mobile app that includes concussion education, baseline testing, sideline assessment and recovery care plans.

XLNTbrain was developed by neurologist Harry Kerasidis, MD, who specializes in cognitive performance and concussions, and has spent more than 25 years studying the brain’s physiology. The program provides an in-depth platform to help all medical professionals involved with the care of a concussed athlete. It is the gold standard for return to play procedures.

For more information on the concussion treatment programs at CCH, visit our Concussion Management Clinic page.

Our staff

CCH’s full-time athletic training staff includes Brooke Hughes, ATC; Mike Sloup, MHA, ATC; Rob Marshall, ATC; Denise Marshall, MA, ATC, Andrew Sheridan, ATC; Melissa Bulin, ATC; Jordan Stithem, MA Ed., ATC; and Whitney Vessar, ATC.

Our physical therapists, Randy Perault, MSPT, Cert. MDT, ATC; Pam Perault, MS, PT, ATC and Jon Brezenski, PT, DPT, ATC, are also athletic trainers with coaching experience who provide local sports coverage.

Melissa Bulin, ATC

Melissa has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2019. Her athletic training services take her to Schuyler Central High School. Before coming to CCH, she was an assistant athletic trainer at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas.

She is a 2010 graduate of Thayer Central High School in Hebron, Nebraska. She continued her education at Central Community College in Columbus, where she received an associate degree in science. She later received a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, before receiving a Master of Science degree in athletic training from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 2018. Melissa is involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association, the Mid-American Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys volunteering as part of the medical team for various events, including maintaining her Oklahoma state athletic training license to volunteer at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon each year.

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Brooke Hughes, ATC

Brooke has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2014. Her athletic training services take her to Columbus High School and Columbus Middle School.

She is a 2008 graduate of Columbus Lakeview High School and continued her education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education with an athletic training concentration.

Brooke has served as a member and chair for several committees within the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association (NSATA). She currently serves as the Mid-American Athletic Trainers Association (MAATA) Connection and Engagement chair and as an advisory member to the MAATA Board of Directors. Brooke is the MAATA representative for the National Athletic Trainers Association Connection and Engagement Committee. Brooke was the 2021 George F. Sullivan NSATA Athletic Trainer of the Year Award winner.

Brooke and her husband, Chance, live in Columbus with their three children, Barrett, Torryn and Fallon. Brooke enjoys spending time with her family and being active outdoors in her free time.

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Andrew Sheridan, ATC

Andrew has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2018. His athletic training skills take him to Scotus Central Catholic High School. Before coming to CCH, Andrew worked for Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine in Lincoln, Nebraska, and provided full-time health care services to Norris High School.

He is a 2011 graduate of Sutton Public High School in Sutton, Nebraska. He continued his education at the University of Omaha, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training.

Through his education and professional experiences, he has worked with athletes from nearly every level of competition: youth sports, high school, collegiate and professional/Olympic.

Andrew is involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association, the Mid-American Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and their son. They enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling.

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Denise Marshall, MA, ATC

Since 2008, Denise has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital. She provides athletic training services to Central Community College-Columbus.

Denise graduated from Ord High School. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, and a Master of Athletic Training degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Denise is actively involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association (NSATA), the Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association (MAATA), and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). She received the NSATA George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer of the Year award in 2019.

Denise is married to Rob Marshall. She has two stepchildren, Cyrus and Harper. Together, they have a son, Treadyn. Denise enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors.

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Mike Sloup, MHA, LAT, ATC

Mike has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2003. He provides athletic training services to Columbus Lakeview Community Schools and outreach coverage to Humphrey High School.

Mike received his bachelor’s degree in physical education with a concentration in athletic training from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, in 1999. He completed his master’s degree in health care administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska, in 2006. Mike previously worked at Omaha Benson High School and Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he worked with the hockey team.

He has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA, D5) and Nebraska Athletic Trainers’ Association (NSATA) since 1998. Mike has served on various committees in these associations and on the executive board for the NSATA and the board of directors for the MAATA. He is currently on the NATA State Association Advisory Committee. Mike was awarded the NATA service award in 2018 and the Nebraska State Athletic Association (NSAA) Distinguished Service Award in 2018.

Mike and his wife, Sheila, live north of Columbus with their two sons, Brenden and Caleb. In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, coaching baseball and attending his sons’ sports activities.

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Rob Marshall, ATC

Rob Marshall is a graduate of St. Edward High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer in the Columbus area since 1995.

Rob is the director of the Columbus Community Hospital Fieldhouse and Program Manager of Columbus Community Hospital Sports Medicine Services. Rob and his staff provide sports medicine services to local and area high schools and Central Community College. He was instrumental in helping develop concussion legislation in the state of Nebraska. He is dedicated to ensuring all patients have high-quality health care in Columbus, the surrounding areas and the state of Nebraska. He had a hand in helping develop the Columbus Community Hospital Concussion Clinic.

Due to Rob’s hard work and dedication to high-quality health care, Columbus High School became the first in Nebraska to receive the Safe Sports Schools Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). The Safe Sports School Award recognizes secondary schools that take crucial steps to keep their athletes free from injuries. Rob was influential in making this happen.

In addition to his duties at Columbus Community Hospital, Rob serves as the director of Athletic Training Services for the Columbus Area Youth Football League, on the Board of Elders at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and on the Board of Directors for the NATA. He is actively involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association (NSATA) and the Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association (MAATA).

He has received the following awards:

2009 NSATA George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer of the Year Award
2009 United Way Big Pals/Little Pals, Big Pal Of the Year Awards
2013-2014 Nebraska State Athletic Association Distinguished Service Award
2014 Nebraska Athletic Directors Service Award
2015 Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame
2015 NATA Service Award
2017 NATA Secondary Schools Servants Heart Award
2020 Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame

Rob is married to Denise Marshall and has three children, Cyrus, Harper, and Traedyn. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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Jordan Stithem, MA Ed., ATC

Jordan Stithem has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since August 2021. His athletic training skills take him to Shelby–Rising City Public Schools.

Before coming to Columbus, Jordan worked at CHI Health St. Elizabeth/Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, PC, in Lincoln for seven years. In this position, he served as the primary athletic trainer for Aurora Public Schools and outreach athletic trainer for six other area schools.

He is a 2005 graduate of Stockton High School in Stockton, Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training with a minor in kinesiology from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Jordan earned a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney while acting as the graduate assistant athletic trainer for the UNK football, track and baseball teams.

Jordan is involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Megan, and their kids and family and participating in outdoor activities.

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Whitney Vessar, ATC

Whitney Vessar has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since June 2021. Her athletic training skills take her to Twin River High School in Genoa, Nebraska.

Before coming to Columbus, Whitney worked at CHI Health, where she provided outreach services to Elkhorn High School, and at Makovicka Physical Therapy, where she provided outreach services to Elkhorn South High School.

She is a 2002 graduate of Maysville High School in Maysville, Missouri. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in health and exercise science from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, and earned a Master of Athletic Training degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Whitney is a member of the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association.

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Contact us

For more information about CCH’s athletic training services or XLNTbrain concussion testing, please call our professional training staff at 402-562-7346.

Premier Physical Therapy
3100 23rd St., Suite 15
Columbus, NE 68601
402-562-7346
Hours:
Monday and Wednesday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday. (Noon appointments are also available on Saturday.)