AT Profiles: Hailey Lugo, Heather Feiner, & Jenna Bouffard
Get to know three of our Athletic Trainers in honor of National Athletic Training Month!
Hailey Lugo, LAT, ATC – Waterford High School
Why did you want to be an AT?
I was introduced to the athletic training profession after suffering through ACL injuries from playing soccer. I became very interested in Sports Medicine, so I decided to study Athletic Training in College.
What part of AT is most interesting to you and why?
The versatility of Athletic Training is the most interesting part of my job! For example, yesterday I evaluated three shoulders, advised a track athlete on nutrition habits, and referred an athlete’s fungal infection to a doctor. Today I put an athlete through a concussion protocol, cleared 2 other athletes from our COVID return to play protocol, and posted mental toughness tips on our google classroom. Everyday is different!
If you could travel to anywhere in the world (without taking COVID-19 or money into account) where would it be?
I would want to travel to every MLB park with my Dad!
If you had your own talk show, who would be your first 3 guests?
- George Steinbrenner (When Alive)
- Derek Jeter
- Tobin Heath
What super power would you want to have?
I would want to be able to heal with my hands!
What’s an interesting skill you have or an interesting skill you want to learn?
I want to learn American Sign Language.
If you had a million dollars to spend, what would you spend it on?
I would create a rescue/adoption company that saves dogs in danger of being euthanized.
Heather Feiner, LAT, ATC, ITAT – Guilford High School
Why did you want to be an AT?
I wanted to work in healthcare and had a love of sports. It was a great way to combine both.
What part of AT is most interesting to you and why?
I have learned to appreciate the mental health aspect of injury care. Once an athlete is facing their recovery, most find they have skills and gifts to lead others, while they find their way back to sport and can lead by example.
If you could live in any sitcom what would it be?
I would have to say “Friends” Because I would like to take another shot at my 20’s and I would love to live in a city.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A mentor once told me “you don’t know what you don’t know”. I interpreted that to mean you always need to be learning and striving to be better. To look to those ahead of you for help and support professionally. As an older professional now, I thoroughly enjoy helping younger professionals see what the perspectives they haven’t yet acquired.
If you could travel to anywhere in the world (without taking COVID-19 or money into account) where would it be?
I have always wanted to travel to Australia. The landscape looks gorgeous.
What’s your favorite thing you did this summer?
The time off due to Covid allowed me to spend time with my youngest sister and we got to know each other better.
If you had a million dollars to spend, what would you spend it on?
I have this daydream often, and I would help my family live more comfortably, explore travel and use my free time to help others.
Jenna Bouffard, LAT, ATC, ITAT – Watertown High School
Why did you want to be an AT?
I always loved being around sports, the fast paced environment and the healthcare background of it.
What part of AT is most interesting to you and why?
I think the most interesting part of Athletic Training for me is the emergency and acute care aspect. You always have to be ready and on your toes with high schools kids.
What’s your favorite thing you did this summer?
Visited different hiking trails and followed the CT brewery trail.
What super power would you want to have?
Telepathy, so I can know if an athlete is telling the truth when explaining how they got injured.
What is your favorite book and why?
Any psychological thriller, it has you thinking the whole time while reading and not being able to guess what will happen next.
If you could travel to anywhere in the world (without taking COVID-19 or money into account) where would it be?
I would want to travel across country and visit all the MLB parks.
Is a hotdog a sandwich? Discuss.
I polled the Watertown office, everyone agrees it is not a sandwich!