Current Athletic Training Residents

• Aobakwe Malau 
• Brett Fox

Past Athletic Training Residents

Class of 2022-2023

Chandler Batiste, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the states of Idaho and Washington. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor's degree in athletic training and has since served in collegiate, recreational, and clinical settings. Chandler believes one of the most rewarding aspects of being an athletic trainer is empowering people through education about injury prevention, treatment and management. Before her residency, she served Whatcom Community College covering all seven of their varsity sports. She simultaneously worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinic. Previous to that, she spent time in a physical therapy setting overseeing rehabilitation programs for individuals with neuromuscular disease.

Carly Wilson MS, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Idaho. She is passionate about patient-centered care within the profession of athletic training, a topic that she focused on in her graduate research studies and had the privilege of presenting her findings at the virtual NATA conference in 2021. Carly grew up in Wisconsin and earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She went on to earn her master’s degree in advanced athletic training from the University of South Carolina where she spent her time as a graduate assistant athletic trainer working with the South Carolina Women’s Equestrian team and then the Sports Medicine Department within the University of South Carolina Student Health Services on campus. 

Class of 2021-2022

Mychaela Wickstrom, MHA, MBA, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Idaho. She grew up in the Treasure Valley and has always had a passion for helping others improve their health. Mychaela earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from University of Wisconsin La Crosse. She was hired upon graduation onto the sports medicine staff at Idaho State University as a graduate assistant athletic trainer, which included a two year scholarship for graduate school. In those two years, Mychaela completed a dual master’s degree program in the college of business where she graduated with honors in 2020. She was in the first graduating class of the first master of health care administration program in the state of Idaho. After completing her residency, Mychaela accepted a full-time position here at St. Luke’s as a clinical athletic trainer.

Class of 2019-2020

Austin Strabala, MS, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the states of Idaho and Texas. He has a passion for helping improve people’s quality of life and is eager to enhance his skills within a clinical setting and advance his knowledge in orthopedics. Austin is a United States Air Force veteran who earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Valdosta State University (GA) and his master’s degree in kinesiology, recreation and sport from Hardin-Simmons University (TX). Previously, Austin worked as an athletic trainer at Abilene Christian University working predominately with women’s soccer and softball. Austin loves spending time with his family outdoors, watching sports, exercising and snowboarding.

Nathaniel Acree, MS, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the states of Idaho and Indiana. He has a background in collegiate athletics. Nathaniel has a passion for patient-centered care, as well as being involved in the continuous improvement of health care and athletic training. He is excited to advance his orthopedic knowledge and diagnostic skills while also growing as an active leader/advocate for the profession of athletic training throughout the residency program at St. Luke’s. Nathaniel was a student-athlete at Anderson University (IN) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training and played all four years on the men’s basketball team. Earning his master’s degree in organizational leadership from Indiana Institute of Technology, he worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer mainly covering women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s/women’s track and field teams. Nathaniel enjoys spending time with his wife, hiking, reading, and traveling.

Class of 2018-2019

Kendall Robinson, MSAT, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the states of Idaho and Virginia. After completing her residency, Kendall accepted a full-time clinical athletic trainer position with INOVA Sports Medicine in Fairfax, Virginia working primarily with Dr. Jeffrey Giuliani. She will be assisting Dr. Giuliani in both clinic and in the operating room. Kendall earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from East Carolina University and her master's degree in athletic training from Old Dominion University. While completing her master’s degree, Kendall had the opportunity to work with the men's and women's gymnastics and football team at the College of William & Mary. While in residency, Kendall presented both locally and regionally on case studies and research completed throughout her residency. After completing the residency program, Kendall returned back home to Chantilly, Virginia. She can often be found watching sports, skiing, and spending time with friends and family. 

Sarah Gilleland MS, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Idaho. After completing her residency, Sarah accepted a full-time position at Rady Children’s Hospital with Andrew Pennock, MD, a pediatric orthopedic sports medicine surgeon in San Diego, California. She assists him both clinically and in surgery. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Western Carolina University and her master’s degree in advanced athletic training from the University of South Carolina. Prior to her residency at St. Luke’s, she worked for Harris Regional Hospital and was an adjunct faculty member at Western Carolina University. During residency, she presented various case studies and ongoing research on patient satisfaction. Sarah has a pending publication in the Athletic Training Education Journal.

Class of 2017-2018

Steven Boyton, MS, ATC, LAT is a board certified athletic trainer licensed in the states of Idaho and Arizona. He recently accepted a position at Flagstaff Bone and Joint as a clinical athletic trainer. He will be functioning both in the clinical capacity as well as assisting in the operating room. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports rehabilitation from the University of Salford and his master's degree in athletic training from the University of Texas at Arlington. Steven has pending publications in Sports Health and the Clinical Practice Athletic Training Journal. 

Laurel Evans, MEd, LAT, ATC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Idaho. After completing her residency, Laurel accepted a full-time position to stay at St. Luke's as a clinical athletic trainer with Michael Curtin, MD, assisting him in both the clinic and in surgery. Laurel earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from Grand Valley State University and her master's degree in sport management from Wichita State University. Prior to joining the team at St. Luke's, she worked as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Wyoming with the track and field and women's volleyball teams. While in residency, Laurel presented both locally and regionally on research conducted during her residency. She is finalizing one of her topics in manuscript form for submission of publication. Laurel now calls Boise her home, where she can often be found in the foothills, hiking, hammocking, or paddle boarding.

Class of 2016-2017

Joshua Lavigne, MS, LAT, ATC, OTC currently serves as a clinical athletic trainer with Mark Cullen, M.D. at Mid-Columbia Medical Center Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in The Dalles, Oregon. He is a board certified athletic trainer credentialed in the states of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. During his time at St. Luke’s he contributed to ongoing research regarding patient satisfaction with athletic trainers and presented pilot data at various regional and national conferences. He also had the opportunity to spend time working with the U.S. Soccer Federation during his residency. Joshua holds a bachelor’s degree in sport science and a master’s degree in athletic training both from the University of Idaho.

Cassie Mall (Young), MS, LAT, ATC, OTC, AFAA-CGFI is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Idaho. After completing her residency, Cassie moved to England with her husband and worked part-time with U.S. Soccer in Switzerland, France, and in California. She also served as a group fitness instructor on her husband's military base. She currently works as a tactical athletic trainer for the Air Force and is honored to work with elite tactical athletes. Cassie earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Florida and her master's degree in advanced athletic training at the University of South Carolina. She has presented regionally and nationally on multiple case studies and on the research of the clinical diagnostic accuracy of residency-trained athletic trainers.

Class of 2015-2016

Sandra Koen, MEd, LAT, ATC, OTC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Florida. She is currently the clinical athletic trainer for Dr. Vani Sabesan, an upper extremity surgeon, at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida. Sandra earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from Chapman University, and her post-professional master's degree in athletic training at the University of Virginia. Sandra has presented both regionally and nationally, and recently got her case study titled "Ultrasound-Guided Needle Lavage for Calcific Tendonitis of the Gluteus Medius Tendon" published in the Athletic Training and Sports Health Care Journal.

Reed Omdal, MS, LAT, ATC, OTC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the states of Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. After completing his residency, he accepted a position at University of Utah Health Care as a clinical athletic trainer for hip specialist Stephen Aoki, MD. Reed earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training from Washington State University, and his master's degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Utah. During his residency, Reed presented at various regional and national conferences on topics related to the value of athletic training. His research included patient throughput in the physician practice with the addition of an athletic trainer. Reed has an upcoming publication in Sports Health and a pending publication in the Journal of Allied Health.

Class of 2014-2015

Julia Hassell, MS, LAT, ATC, OTC is a board-certified athletic trainer licensed in the state of Idaho. After completing her residency, Julia worked as a clinical athletic trainer at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan for approximately two years. She was recently able to rejoin St. Luke’s Sports Medicine and currently works for James Beckmann, MD. Julia earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from Missouri State University and her master's degree in kinesiology from Mississippi State University. Julia's research was published in the March 2016 NATA News "The Value of Athletic Trainers in the Secondary School Setting."

Eren Barker (Havrilak), MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, OTC is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Idaho. After completing her residency in 2015, she served as the clinical athletic trainer for Tobi Gopon, MD at St. Luke’s Sports Medicine for two years before transitioning into the role of Program Coordinator for community health. She officially joined the Employee Safety and Well-being Department as a Program Coordinator in June 2019, where she collaborates on injury prevention, safety, and wellness programs and initiatives for the health system. She earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her master's degree in applied physiology and kinesiology from the University of Florida.

Class of 2013-2014

Sean Burfeind, MS, ATC, LAT, OTC, CSCS is a residency trained, board certified, and licensed athletic trainer in the state of Virginia. Sean is currently a clinical athletic trainer and surgical first assist alongside primary care sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons at Inova Sports Medicine. He also serves as a rotational athletic trainer for the US Soccer Federation. Sean has published several peer reviewed journal articles and has presented at national conferences on the impact of athletic trainers working in the physician practice setting. He was appointed to a workgroup position within the National Athletic Trainers Association's Committee on Practice Advancement labeled "Athletic Trainers in the Physician Practice Workgroup."

JJ Wetherington MS, AT, ATC, OTC works at St. Luke’s as an athletic trainer with Michael Curtin, MD, assisting him in both the clinic and in surgery. Along with his clinical duties, JJ has continued to support the program as a clinical preceptor. He has published research completed during his residency in the Athletic Training Education Journal titled "Self-Funding a Post-Professional Athletic Training Residency." He also serves a CAATE site visitor for athletic training residencies. JJ earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training from Lenoir-Rhyne University and a post-professional master's degree in athletic training from Indiana University.

Class of 2012-2013

Luke Bahnmaier, MS, LAT, ATC serves as the site manager and athletic trainer for the St. Luke’s Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinic. He has worked with Michael Curtin, MD a shoulder and knee surgeon with St. Luke’s Sports Medicine. Luke has provided athletic training services for US Soccer Youth National Teams. He earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Montana, and his post-professional master's degree in athletic training from the University of Oregon. Luke has also published his residency research in the International Journal of Athletic Training and Therapy on "Physician Satisfaction of Residency Trained Athletic Trainers as Physician Extenders."

Class of 2011-2012

Tim Nicolello MS, LAT, ATC is currently the program manager for the Joint Replacement and Osteoarthritis Programs through the Ortho-Neuro service line here at St. Luke’s. He was the first resident in the St. Luke's Athletic Training Residency Program. After graduation in 2012 he worked with Alex Homaechevarria, MD for four years and then most recently with James Beckmann, MD for four years. Tim is board certified and licensed in the state of Idaho. He has been an author of and contributed to several published research studies in support of ATs in the physician practice setting. He has continued to help within the program as a mentor to the current residents and assist in their research studies. He earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training and a minor in sports science from the University of Idaho in 2009, and a post-professional master's degree in athletic training from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona in 2011. Tim Currently serves as the secretary for the Athletic Trainers in the Physician Practice Society.