Meet some of our current Master of Science in Sports Medicine (SM) students and discover what made them choose Pitt for their degree and how their decision has impacted their professional development.
Meghan Hawthorne (SM ’24)
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from West Liberty University, West Virginia
Experience: Second-year Master of Science in Sports Medicine student, graduate assistant athletic trainer and preceptor at Chatham University, casual call athletic trainer for UPMC Sports Medicine, Pitt Sports Medicine master's thesis candidate
Fun facts: I was a scholarship track and field athlete at West Liberty University, competing in the pentathlon/heptathlon as well as in multiple throwing events.
Choosing Pitt Sports Medicine: Since I earned my undergraduate degree in athletic training, it was challenging to pinpoint which master's programs would benefit me the most. Despite this, my advisor suggested I apply to Pitt's Sports Medicine program, which I agreed to after looking into the program and learning more about it. Ultimately, I had to choose between the familiarity of West Liberty University and my track and field career or seizing the opportunity to earn my master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and begin my athletic training career. As much as I love West Liberty University and track and field, I realized I had to take a leap of faith and pursue my journey to Pittsburgh. I am so grateful I did!
Experience at Pitt Sports Medicine: Pitt's Sports Medicine program has allowed me to evolve in the profession of athletic training as well as discover new areas of interest within sports medicine. I have been able to build confidence in myself as a certified athletic trainer (ATC) as well as network with other athletic trainers throughout my time at Chatham University and my long-term casual call coverages at local high schools. Due to my time providing athletic training services at local high schools, it has led me to pursue my master's thesis regarding access to athletic training services among secondary schools in Pennsylvania. I have an increased gratitude and appreciation for secondary school athletic trainers that has swayed me to being open to working as a high school athletic trainer.
Throughout my time in Pittsburgh, I have grown as a student, athletic trainer and person. My graduate courses have taught me and challenged me in multiple ways. My decision to be a part of the Sports Medicine program at Pitt has positively changed and impacted my life.
Lily Rosenblum (SM ‘24)
Undergraduate Degree: Health and Human Performance from Montana State University of Billings
Experience: Graduate student and graduate student research assistant at the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL)
Fun facts: I like to cook cuisines from all over the world and integrate different flavor profiles into fusion dishes.
Choosing Pitt Sports Medicine: I remember thinking Pitt would be a school where I’d be a small fish in a big pond. After talking to Associate Professor Mary Murray and Associate Professor Katelyn Allison, I found out very quickly that I was wrong. This program allows you to grow to be a big fish in a small pond if you take the initiative to care about your education, extracurriculars, and community.
Experience in Pitt Sports Medicine: I have found that my classes are small and that actively participating yields connection and greater understanding of the material from the professors. When I first began working at the NMRL, I took the initiative to be involved and care about my future research path. This led to my employment opportunity and ability to help kick off study design and implementation for two of our large field-based studies.
I was most excited about building my own Pitt community. I'm the second generation that has gone to Pitt. I absolutely love that the city and community bleeds blue and gold for one another.
Darcy O’Reilly (SM ‘24)
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Kinesiology from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Experience: Full-time student, teaching assistant for exercise physiology, strength coach at Attain Physiotherapy back home in Newfoundland, Canada.
Fun Facts: I love playing sports. I play hockey, fastpitch softball and love rollerblading to class!
Choosing Pitt Sports Medicine: I knew that sports were always an important part of my life. Following the completion of my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, I knew I needed to progress my education further to put me in contention for other future goals and opportunities. Pitt’s SM program is one of the highest-regarded programs in the country. Also, the amount of sports exposure available in the city is almost unmatched. I only applied to one university and was happily accepted. I haven’t looked back since and have loved every bit of living in Pittsburgh.
Experience in Sports Medicine: Without a doubt, my favorite course was anatomy in our first semester. Being able to work on actual cadavers with my classmates was such a profound experience. I have taken anatomy courses previously, but the experience I had in the class with the professors gave me a better understanding of the human body than I ever had before.
---
Want to learn more about the Sports Medicine Program? You can reach out to an enrollment specialist at any time to talk about your pre-requisites, application and more by emailing enroll@shrs.pitt.edu today!
---
Published November 30, 2023