IUSB's Werner-Sanders Earns Third CCAC Athletic Trainer of the Year Award
CHICAGO --- For the second year in a row, Indiana University South Bend boasts the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year after it was announced on Friday morning that IUSB head athletic trainer Kara Werner-Sanders was selected as the 2023-24 recipient. She follows in the footsteps of IUSB assistant athletic trainer Lauren Burish who was chosen by her league peers last year.
For Werner-Sanders, she becomes the first CCAC trainer to win the award on three occasions. She was also honored in the 2010-11 and 2017-18 academic years.
Werner-Sanders has hit the ground running in the profession since earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Carroll University (Wis.) and her Master of Arts in Counseling at Lakeland College.
After just one year as an athletic trainer, Werner-Sanders started the first-ever CCAC Athletic Trainers Committee and served as its chair for four consecutive terms. During that time, she wrote and implemented many of the current league athletic training guidelines and bylaws.
Werner-Sanders has gotten involved with numerous other committees since, including serving on the NAIA-ATA Board of Directors each of the past five years with roles as secretary and vice president. She has also been a part of the NAIA-ATA Professional Education and Research Committee.
As a mentor for the profession, Werner-Sanders has served as a clinical site instructor at Western Michigan University, a student-athlete mentor at IUSB and a clinical immersion preceptor at both University of Indianapolis and Ball State University.
Her other involvement has included serving on the Elkhart Area Career Center Advisory Board, the Beacon Health System Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council and the IUSB Associate Faculty Advisory Council.
"As Kara has advanced in her career, she has advanced in her desire and ability to share her experiences, mentor others and elevate those around her," sated Burish. "That is the mark of an honorable, remarkable professional."
Werner-Sanders has worked as a certified athletic trainer in the Beacon Health System since 2009, serving at Indiana South Bend for 13 years and Edwardsburg High School for two years. She has also been an associate faculty member at IUSB for many terms and served as a DEI Leadership Fellow at Indiana University this past year.
Werner-Sanders' vast experience and commitment has resulted in a plethora of honors throughout her career. Among the many within the Beacon Health System have been Associate of the Month, Shining Commitment Associate Award and E Crew Leadership Project award for exceptional employees.
She has also been selected for Michiana's Forty Under 40 class, and as the Staff Member of the Year and a Top 25 Titan at Indiana South Bend.
"It is unique to find an athletic trainer dedicated to the multi-faceted components of the profession," continued Burish. "What truly sets Kara apart is her innovative mindset and ability to think of solutions, while considering the obstacles and boundaries that are presented."
"She is not content with average."
Werner-Sanders' other involvement includes serving as a basic life support and heartsaver instructor with the American Heart Association and a first aid/CPR/AED instructor for the American Red Cross.