Michael Welch

Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Health and Exercise Science Program

As a board certified athletic trainer, I am fortunate to work alongside many colleagues from different backgrounds in the healthcare and exercise science fields. My interest in sports medicine stems largely from the collaborative process involved in diagnosing, treating, and planning the return to activity of every patient. Having an additional certification in strength and conditioning allows me to combine both areas in clinical settings to complement injury prevention and recovery, while enhancing outcomes in each patient's desired activity/goal.

My research interests focus on interprofessional education and its role in preparing healthcare students for the collaborative skills needed in providing quality patient care. As healthcare teams continue to involve professions from all areas, the need for students across different fields of study to collaborate and learn from one another throughout their educational journey is crucial to the continued growth of the healthcare field.

As a faculty member in the Health and Exercise Science program, having students in class with varying professional interests is a great atmosphere to be a part of. Through a variety of courses, we collectively learn different perspectives and approaches on applying material learned in class towards different patient populations and settings. This application of classroom material to real-world experiences is a cornerstone of our commitment to student success in obtaining their professional goals.
 

Education

  • B.S., Athletic Training, Lasell University
  • M.S., Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Ph.D., Health Professions Education, Simmons University

License/Certifications

  • BOC Certified in Athletic Training
  • NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
  • Licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of Massachusetts

Area of Expertise

  • Sports Medicine
  • Sports Performance

Courses

  • BIO/EXSC233 – Strength & Conditioning
  • BIO/EXSC246.L – Foundations of Exercise & Health Lab
  • BIO/EXSC362 – Kinesiology
  • BIO/EXSC362.L- Kinesiology Lab
  • BIO370 – Internship Seminar

Publications/Presentations

  • "Integration of IPEC Core competencies into Athletic Training Education" – 2021 Commission of Accreditation on Athletic Training Education (CAATE) conference, Orlando FL
  • Schweiterman, J.M., Welch, M., Breitbach, A. (2023). Athletic Training Preceptor Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in Clinical Learning Experiences. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice (IJAHSP), 21(2)

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
  • Athletic Trainers' of Massachusetts (ATOM)
  • College Athletic Trainers' Society (CATS)
  • Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association (EATA)
  • National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)