Athletic training

CCH’s athletic trainers have athletic trainer certification (ATC). 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 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 do in our community each year. Please review the major accomplishments from 2022-24 in our latest annual report.

Our services

Our staff of full-time athletic trainers offers 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. She has maintained her Oklahoma state athletic training license so she can volunteer at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon each year.

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 and 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. She is the MAATA representative for the National Athletic Trainers Association Connection and Engagement Committee, and she 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. She enjoys spending time with her family and being active outdoors in her free time.

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 Nebraska 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.

He enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with his wife, Emily, and their son.

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 Bachelor 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.

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 both the NATA service award 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.

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 Fieldhouse and program manager of Columbus Community Hospital Sports Medicine Services. He 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, and is dedicated to ensuring all patients have high-quality health care in Columbus, the surrounding areas and the state of Nebraska. Rob helped develop the Columbus Community Hospital Concussion Clinic.

Because of 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.

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. He is also 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.

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.

Andrew Spencer, ATC

Andrew has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2023, working with student-athletes at Columbus High School. Before coming to CCH, Andrew worked for Grand Island Physical Therapy in Grand Island, Nebraska, and provided full-time health care services to Grand Island Central Catholic.

During his time at Grand Island Central Catholic, he helped the Crusaders win seven state championships and four second places in six different sports.

He graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 2011. He then continued his education at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training in 2015.

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

Andrew is involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association and enjoys spending time with family and traveling.

Gavin Dowding, ATC

Gavin has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2023. His athletic training services take him to Schuyler Central High School.

He is a 2019 graduate of Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska. He continued his education at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training in 2023.

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

Gavin is involved in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association, the Mid-American Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association.
Gavin and his wife, Mackenzie, enjoy spending time with family, traveling with their dog and cheering on the Huskers.

Michelle Holt, MA, LAT, ATC, OPE-C

Michelle Holt originally hails from the central agricultural valley of California and started her college career at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. She then moved to Texas, where she met her spouse and graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, as a certified athletic trainer in 2010.

After completing a seasonal internship at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports (Disney), Michelle earned her master’s degree at San Jose State University in San Jose, California, while serving as a graduate assistant at Stanford University in Stanford, California. Then, Texas called her back to become the first athletic trainer in residence at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). She later worked three years as an assistant at Chisholm Trail High School in Fort Worth, Texas, before joining the team at Sideline Orthopedics and Sports.

Michelle is a dedicated volunteer for advancing the athletic training profession and service organizations. She has served on the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association Young Professionals’ Committee and as a member-at-large on the executive board. She is the former District 6 National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Political Action Committee director and the chair of the NATA Physician Practice Committee.

Her favorite thing is spending time with her husband and two young daughters. She also enjoys being active, playing sports or games and relaxing with good food and wine.

Kaitlin Reece, MS, ATC

Kaitlin Reece has been a certified athletic trainer since 2019, dedicating her entire professional career to Stanton High School. She joined Columbus Community Hospital in 2024.

A graduate of Valentine High School, Kaitlin attended Hastings College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in health systems with a minor in psychology. During her time at Hastings, she was an active and competitive member of the college rodeo team. Her experiences on the rodeo circuit introduced her to the world of athletic training, and she often assisted the athletic trainer assigned to college rodeos across the region. These early interactions sparked her interest in the profession and ultimately led her to pursue a master’s degree in athletic training from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota.

While at SDSU, Kaitlin continued to compete in rodeos, capping off her eligibility by qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo. She gained hands-on experience working with the university’s baseball, women’s soccer and football programs, as well as a local Class A high school. Kaitlin also showcased her academic strengths as a member of the SDSU quiz bowl team, which took home the national title during her final year of college.

Kaitlin remains active in the rodeo community and frequently returns to her hometown of Valentine to help on her family’s ranch. She is a proud member of the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association, MidAmerica Athletic Trainers’ Association and National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Kurt Schmoldt, MS, ATC

Kurt Schmoldt has served as a certified athletic trainer at Columbus Community Hospital since 2024, and currently supports student-athletes as the athletic trainer for Battle Creek High School.

Prior to joining CCH, Kurt built a strong career in athletic training with roles at Faith Regional Health Services and Heartland Physical Therapy in Norfolk. He also held the position of head athletic trainer at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

A proud graduate of Elkhorn Valley High School in Tilden, Nebraska, Kurt earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, and went on to receive his master’s degree from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

Kurt is an active member of the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association, Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association and National Athletic Trainers’ Association, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the profession.

Mitch Kurtenbach, ATC, MAEd

Mitch has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2024. His sports medicine expertise takes him to Shelby-Rising City Public Schools. Prior to coming to CCH, Mitch worked for Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he provided full-time health care services to more than 500 NCAA D3 student-athletes. In addition, he was also a course instructor and preceptor for the Athletic Training Education Program provided at NWU.

Mitch is a 2008 graduate of Lindsay Holy Family High School in Lindsay, Nebraska. He received his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2012. Mitch continued his education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a graduate assistant certified athletic trainer and received his master’s degree in Exercise Science in 2014.

Throughout his education and professional career, Mitch has worked with many athletes across various levels of competition including youth sports, high school, NAIA, NCAA, and professional. He also has provided education to future athletic trainers and other sport and performance professionals as a college instructor in the Health and Human Performance department at NWU.

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

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Amanda, and his three children, Lena, Theo, and June.

Adam Hervert, ATC, MAEd

Adam has been a certified athletic trainer with Columbus Community Hospital since 2024. He continues to serve Pierce High School, a role he has held since 2005. Prior to joining CCH, Adam worked at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, Nebraska.

A 1999 graduate of Ord High School, Adam earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He went on to complete a master’s degree in athletic administration at the University of South Dakota.

Adam is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Outside of work, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their five children: Jay, Emmett, Adah, Clara, and Clark. He is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys traveling with his family.

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.)