Barb Dougherty is a competitive person.
Maybe that is why she enjoys her job as Athletic Trainer at St. Francis DeSales High School so much. Dougherty’s dedication and warm personality are what makes the students and parents so fond of her.
With 17 different varsity sports teams to support, Dougherty’s job is much more than full-time. She attends nearly every game to make sure athletes are ready for competition, and to make sure they have proper medical attention should injuries occur.
“i just really enjoy being around the student athletes,” she says. “You get the chance to know these kids not just as athletes but also as young adults.
The kids know her not just as a trainer, but someone who will always be there. Parents have shared stories of taking their kids to the emergency room during a sporting event, and looking up to see Dougherty there to provide support and advice.
When she is off the job, Dougherty puts together scrapbooks and photo albums from each of the team’s seasons, giving student athletes memories to hold onto.
Parents say their kids cherish those memories. “Students often go visit their favorite high school teachers after they graduate. When they go to visit the trainer – that says something.”