Forest Park Athletic Training

Hello my name is Jessie Shanks, MS,LAT, ATC, ITAT. I am a NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer and Licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. Graduating from Frostburg State University I obtained a BS in Health & Physical Education and concentrations in Athletic Training and Health Fitness along with a MS in Human Performance also from FSU. From 1999-2001 I was the Certified Athletic Trainer for Union Memorial Sports Medicine and River Hill High School, in MD, splitting my time working at a physical therapy clinic in the morning then going to the high school in the afternoon. 
My time as Athletic trainer at Forest Park began in August of 2001. I was honored as a recipient of the 2014 Vito Perriello, Secondary Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. As a member of the Secondary School Athletic Trainers' Committee, we are dedicated to recognizing the unique concerns and responsibilities associated with the secondary school athletic training practice setting, and to developing and providing materials and information that may enhance the effectiveness and marketability of athletic trainers working in this setting. 

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to aide your son or daughter.
I can be contacted at shanksjl@pwcs.edu. You can also call the school 703-583-3200 (main office) or 571-589-3636 (AT office) if you have any questions or concerns. 

Woodbridge, Va/ August 7, 2023 – Forest Park High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School award for its Bruins athletics program. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.

Forest Park is honored to receive this 2nd Team recognition from NATA. We remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices, and games so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship, and good health. Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players.

“The health and safety of student-athletes is critical as it has both immediate and long-term effects,” said NATA President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC. “NATA created the ‘Safe Sports School Award’ to recognize and champion schools nationwide that are committed to enhancing safety in sports. We are proud to see the list of award recipients grow exponentially each year as schools see the immense value in holding themselves to best practices and policies that ensure a high standard of athlete care.”

In order to achieve Safe Sports School status, as Forest Park did, athletic programs must do the following:

• Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
• Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations
• Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
• Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
• Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
• Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
• Provide or facilitate injury intervention
• Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan
• Provide or facilitate psycho-social consultation and nutritional counseling/education
• Be sure athletes and parents are educated about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities

Kenneth P. May, DC, LAc

Doctor of Chiropractic, Outpatient Therapy

Sentara Century Therapy Center

2280 Opitz Blvd Suite 210, Woodbridge Va 22191

Main office: 703-523-1680

Fax: 571-589-2009

kpmay@sentara.com