Back row from left: Scott Kerr, Ashley Hodges, Angie Dahl, Frank Neu, Kirk EmickFront row from left: Megan Powers, Cheryl McPherson Scott Kerr, MS LAT, ATC
Angie Dahl, MPA, ACSM, LAT, ATC
Frank Neu, MS, LAT, ATC
Kirk Emick, MPA, LAT, ATC
Graduate Assistants
Drake employs three Graduate Assistants every year to help with the sports medicine needs of the student- athletes. These are athletic trainers from accredited undergraduate programs that wish to receive their Master's degree and expand their experience as an Athletic Trainer at the college level. The Graduate Assistant (GA) is assigned to a sport in the fall and the spring semester and is responsible for team travel and athletic training care of their assigned sport as well as helping with the general operating requirements of the athletic training room.
The Graduate Assistant is enrolled in graduate classes at Drake University full time while they are employed at Drake. This is a two-year program. They are required to be NATA Board Certified (ATC) or eligible to sit for The NATA Board of Certification Exam at the time of joining the Drake University Athletic Medical Team. We have three Graduate Assistants at Drake University this year.
Ashley Hodges, LAT, ATC
Cheryl McPherson, LAT, ATC
Meghan Powers
Physicians
Drake University uses Mercy Medical Center and Iowa Orthopedic Center for their primary orthopedic needs. Mercy Medical Center is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The Mercy-Iowa Heart Center is a nationally recognized facility for the recognition and treatment of heart conditions. Physicians from Mercy Medical Center are available to student-athletes both in the Athletic Training Room and at their several Des Moines area locations. The orthopedic surgeons are in attendance to almost every Drake home athletic event, including all home football, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer events, and the Drake Relays. A physician is on call for all other home events.
There are two primary physicians included in the Drake athletic medical team; Dr. Scott Meyer, MD and Dr. Stephen Ash, MD. Between the two surgeons Drake student-athletes receive top-notch care. These two make weekly visits to the Drake athletic training room to evaluate the student-athletes. There is also a physiatrist that aides in medical evaluations. Dr. Jill Meihlan helps with game coverage for Drake athletics.
The Drake athletic training staff also utilizes Broadlawns Hospital and Drake University Health Care Center for the general medical needs of the student-athletes. Two nurse practitioners and several registered nurses staff the health center. This staff is responsible for the general medical care of Drake students and student-athletes. When necessary student-athletes are referred to several Des Moines area specialists for medical care.
The city of Des Moines has a variety of medical services and hospitals that are convenient and functional. Mercy Medical Center is located just minutes from Drake University and Methodist Hospital provides another source of medical attention when needed.
