Meetings

Please feel free to attend a meeting using the link below. Typically meetings occur one Thursday a month and continue valuable information. For meeting dates and more information please contact the president (information below). 

For Austin meeting links and information email SportsSIG@usa.edu.

Current Leadership

President: Jared Belk

Vice President: Jacob Wetz

Communications Chair: Dylan Keene

Outreach Coordinator: Garrett Young

Founder and President - Steve Rodriguez  SPT, MS, CSCS

s.rodriguez1@usa.edu

Bio: As the Founder and President of this new special interest group it has always been the plan to keep the student’s best interest at heart with the purpose of expanding one’s educational experience by creating relationships and opportunities to learn in the areas of sports physical therapy. In terms of my background, I come from a wide array of work and educational experience. I currently hold a Master’s degree in exercise science and have several certifications under my belt relative to sports and human performance. In addition to this, I’m currently a FLEX DPT student at the Austin campus and have held several leadership roles as part of being an active student outside of class and have co-lead several projects that were designed to provide support to USAHS students. My reputation as a student has been recognized not only by my peers, but also by our institution. In regards to the Sports SIG, it is our aim to assist USAHS students with integrating areas of our education with a closer look into this section of physical therapy and have fun at the same time! We really hope everyone will take part in this journey and we are very pleased to provide this opportunity for fellow students!

Co-Founder and Vice President – Shaun Reghabi SPT, MS, ATC/L, CSCS

s.reghabi@usa.edu

Bio: As the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Sports SIG it has always been my intention to help create an organization where USAHS students can grow through the latest evidence-based research and interdisciplinary networking in the ever-expanding field of sports medicine. My background includes many different experiences in both work and education that are best suited for this SIG. I am a fully certified and licensed athletic trainer in the great state of Texas. Not only did I receive my Master’s degree in athletic training, but am also a residency trained ATC in orthopedic rehabilitation through the Houston Methodist Hospital System. I hold many different certifications ranging from the Institute for Athlete Regeneration Dry Needling (IAR-DN) Cert to the EXOS Performance Specialist (XPS) Cert that help contribute to my well roundedness as a clinician. Currently I am a FLEX DPT student that is also one of many Capital Area District (CAD) Liaison’s based out of our Austin, TX campus. With the forming of this new organization it is our hope that every student at USAHS interested in sports medicine will join and grow with us as future clinicians in this field.

Secretary - Stacey Pirtle SPT, MS

s.pirtle@usa.edu

Bio: Being a part of this up and coming Sports SIG, offered to all campuses, is an exciting new endeavor. My background includes 10 years serving in the U.S. Air Force as a medic/flight medicine. During that time I was an active runner who completed many distance races from 3k to full marathons. Additionally, I coached a youth running team for 2 years as well as captain a women’s running group for 2 years. I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Masters in Exercise Science during my service along with maintaining my EMT and First Aid/CPR certifications. I am currently a FLEX DPT student at the Austin campus where I also serve as the student representative for my cohort. I look forward to all the knowledge and experience we will learn and share in this new SIG with all the students in the USAHS family.

Communications Chair - Angela Vizcaino SPT, MS 

a.vizcaino@usa.edu

Bio: As Communications Chair for the Sports SIG, I plan to connect student physical therapists to professionals in the field. To grow into the world of Sports/Performance Physical Therapy, we need to learn from the best. I want the USAHS students to be encouraged, inspired, and educated so they too can create their own journey. As for my background, I have a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a Masters in Sports Management from Texas Woman’s University. I founded the TWU Pioneer soccer club and coached for the Universities’ running club. I have worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation as an Exercise Physiologist and in a Hospital’s fitness center as a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, yoga teacher, and stress management specialist for the last 9 years.  Due to the acute care environment, I am certified in ACLS, BLS, and First Aid. I am also a D-license soccer coach and still a very passionate soccer player. I am currently a Flex DPT student and the Flex SPTA Secretary at the Austin campus. I’m looking forward to spending time with others who are just as passionate about sports medicine as I am. It’s important to develop relationships and lift each other up as we go through this journey. 

Sponsor - Dr. Elise Bjork PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

ebjork@usa.edu