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Certified Athletic Trainers
Danelle Smith MA, ATC, LAT
Danelle Smith joined Buena Vista University in 2002. She completed her master's degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1995. Prior to joining BVU, Smith was an assistant trainer at the University of Evansville (Ind.), where she served as athletic trainer for the women's basketball, volleyball, and softball teams. She was involved in developing the athletic training education program at Evansville in order to pursue CAAHEP accreditation for their department. A native of Medford, Wisconsin, Smith was a 1994 graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education with a minor in Athletic Training and Health Education. In addition to her responsibilities as the Clinical Education Coordinator for the Athletic Training Education Program, Danelle serves as an Assistant Professor and Assistant Athletic Trainer in the Exercise Science Department. She will provide care for Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, and Men's Tennis teams. Smith resides in Alta, Iowa.
Danelle’s research interests are in the evaluation of clinical skills and proficiencies and the methods of instruction for approved clinical instructors.
James Day MEd., ATC, LAT, CSCS
James Day joined Buena Vista University in August 2006. Prior to joining BVU, he served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Virginia where he earned his Master's Degree of Education in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. While at UVA he served as an athletic trainer to the Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Golf, and Men's and Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field teams. He is originally from North Idaho and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Eastern Washington University. James will be serving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Instructor in the Exercise Science Department. James will be providing care to the Football and Men’s Basketball. James resides in Storm Lake with his wife, Nicole.
James's research interests are in the management of sport related mild traumatic brain injury, specifically the use of computerized neuropsychological computerized testing and testing environment.
Matt Hanson EdD, ATC, LAT
Matt Hanson joined Buena Vista University in August 2008. Prior to joining BVU, he served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Southwest Minnesota State University for the Softball team. He worked at SMSU for one semester before coming to BVU as an assistant athletic trainer. He received his Master's of Science in Education with a Teaching and Coaching Emphasis in 2009 and is currently earning his terminal degree in Adult and Higher Education From the University of South Dakota. Matt is originally from West Concord, MN and earned his Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from BVU in 2007. He will provide care for Men and Women's soccer, Wrestling, and Baseball. Matt resides in Alta, Iowa with his wife Ashley.
Matt's research area interests include heating modalities and their effects on the passive range of motion of the hamstring muscle group. Matt is also researching health-promotion programs in the workplace for his dissertation.
Lisa Bengtson MS, ATC, LAT
Lisa Bengtson begins her first year at Buena Vista University, serving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Lecturer for the Exercise Science Department. Prior to coming to Buena Vista University, Lisa served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Grundy Center High School.
A 2009 graduate, Lisa earned her Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Augustana College and her Master's degree in Athletic Training from the University of Northern Iowa in 2011. She will provide care for Women's Soccer and Men's Basketball. Lisa resides in Storm Lake.
Lisa's research interests include evidence based medicine, physical activity and the effect injuries may have on it, and muscle energy techniques.
Abby Tibbetts MS, ATC, LAT – PhD Candidate
Abby Tibbetts is in her first year at Buena Vista University serving as an Assistant Faculty in the Athletic Training/Human Performance major and assistant athletic trainer. Prior to joining Buena Vista, Tibbetts served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Iowa. At BVU, she is responsible for providing care to the Beaver Softball team, teaching within the Athletic Training and Human Performance majors, and coordinating student experiences within the Human Performance major. She is an active member of the NATA and has served as a travel abroad faculty member in Greece and Italy with the Collegiate Sports Medicine Foundation.
Abby is a 2004 graduate of Buena Vista, received her master's degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Northern Iowa in 2006, and is finishing her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies/Higher Education at the University of Iowa.
Abby's research interests include the impact of intercollegiate athletic participation on health status and psychological well-being, student-athletes' social support systems, athletic training student learning styles, and the epidemiology of overuse and acute injuries.
Melissa Chohon
Melissa Chohon is in her first year at Buena Vista University serving as Assistant Athletic Trainer and Lecturer for Exercise Science. Preceding her role on the BVU staff, she served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Marshall University for the Women’s Soccer, Indoor Track and Field, Tennis and Co-ed Competitive Cheerleading. While at Marshall University she received her Master of Science Degree in Sports Administration in 2011. Melissa is originally from Nebraska and received her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in 2009 from The University of Nebraska at Omaha in Athletic Training.
As part of Melissa’s duties as Assistant Athletic Trainer she will be working with the Beaver Men’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field teams and serve as an ACI for ATEP students. She is an active member of the NATA. Melissa resides in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Mike Spetman
Mike Spetman joined Sports Medicine Northwest as a Certified Athletic Trainer in August 2005. His responsibilities include acting as a Clinical Instructor for Buena Vista's Athletic Training Program. Prior to joining Sports Medicine Northwest and BVU, he served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Western Illinois University, where he earned his Master's Degree in Exercise Science. While at WIU he served as an athletic trainer to Women's Soccer and Men's and Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field teams. He is originally from Hampton, Iowa and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Athletic Training from Buena Vista University. Currently, Mike's responsibilities with Sports Medicine Northwest include full school athletic coverage for six surrounding high schools, including Storm Lake High, Storm Lake St. Mary's, Alta, OABCIG, Laurens-Marathon, and Sioux Central. Mike's ACI responsibilities with BVU include six-week rotations with primarily the sophomore athletic training students. Mike resides in Early with his wife, Heather, and his 2 year old son, Caden.