At R.J. Reynolds High School, student safety is the primary focus for faculty. So, it’s no surprise that our athletic department has recently renovated and reupdated our training facilities to accommodate the abundance of student-athletes at RJR.

Heather Mickels, RJR’s Head Athletic Trainer, has been a demon since June 2021, yet her experience extends beyond Reynolds.

“I am the Head Athletic Trainer at Reynolds, and I work for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Orthopedic department,” Mickels said. “This is my third year at Reynolds and my eighth year as a Head High School Athletic Trainer.”

Mickels duties include attending all home games and particular practices, such as football. Additionally, she extends the necessary treatment to injured athletes and those recovering.

Like many of her athletes, Mickels had numerous injuries in high school, which, combined with her interest in medicine, led her to her career as a trainer.

“I always wanted to do something in the medical field,” Mickels said. “I spent some time with my high school Athletic Trainer, and it eventually clicked that I wanted to do that, too.”

Until a month ago, Mickels had been working out of a small office space situated between the girls’ locker room, the weight room, and the wrestling room. This room’s limiting factors for accessible treatment were a big proponent of the space transfer.

“My old room was too small for the amount of athletes we have at this school,” Mickels said. “The new room is also quieter, which is a better environment for any medical office.”

Additionally, as the construction of M.Doughlas Crater Field & Stadium ensues, the proximity to the trainer’s office, which occupies the previous rooms used by health classes underneath the Auxiliary Gym and overlooks the stadium, will be of utmost convenience.

The new room’s spaciousness has been maximized. Four training tables are uniformly distributed throughout the room, allowing free space for students’ rehabilitation, in contrast to the previous office, where this luxury didn’t exist.

“The increase of space has allowed an additional treatment table [and] some seating for athletes waiting,” Mickels said. “I am also able to have more athletes doing their rehabilitation in the room so I can keep an eye on them while I am doing other things.”

Mickels aims to take full advantage of this space and continually improve student-athletes time at RJR. You’ll often find her compassionately aiding any injury on any sideline or meticulously supporting athletes through their recovery process in her office. She has a great love for all students, and we can look forward to how she will further this love with her new space.