Editor’s note: New athletic trainer Lizzy Landa started on Jan. 2. We sat down with her to learn about her first few weeks in the new job.

North Pointe: What was the reason for you to leave East Detroit and come here?

Lizzy Landa: It was really based off the health system I was working for. Honestly, I was finishing up with my masters degree, and I felt like with my masters degree I would need more of a challenge, so when Ms. Florida left, I figured with the amount of the student athletes and the amount of sports that are here, it provided more of a challenge for me and I could apply my masters degree toward the challenge. That’s the reason why

NP: How did they select you for the new position?

LL: I was already an employee through Ascension, St. John’s Providence. Working at East Detroit High School, St. John had a contract with them. Since St. John had a contract with them, they also had a contract with GPN. Basically the process was I told my supervisor that I wanted to do the switch because they needed someone at GPN. I basically requested that and talked with my supervisor plus the person who oversees my supervisor and we had a nice discussion about it and they made a decision from there.

NP: What have you thought about the school so far in your time here?

LL: Everyone has been so supportive and so helpful that I’ve had no difficulties transferring and no difficulties transitioning here. I’ve just been very thankful that everyone has been so supportive. The coaches, Mr. Shelson, Mrs. Bennett, the student athletes even—it’s been a great experience so far.

NP: How long do you plan on being here for?

LL: As of right now, I don’t plan on going anywhere with just finishing my masters degree and getting settled in my apartment and everything. I plan on staying for quite awhile and I don’t really plan on leaving anytime soon.

NP: What have you learned about North so far?

LL: I’ve learned that everyone has a set schedule. Everything’s not very chaotic. The kids know where they need to be and when they need to be there. I’ve also learned that whenever you have a problem with something, you can go to someone, like a coach or an administrator. They are happy to help you, it’s not just a “let me get back to you.” It’s like let’s do this to fix this type of thing. I really like how you guys are informative and very mindful of what you’re doing, and I don’t have to do a lot of lecturing and everything like I had to do at my other school.

NP: What is the partnership with Ascension—how does that work?

LL: With Ascension, it’s a big health system. It just used to be called St. John, but now St. John is a part of Ascension. So what we do is within our sports medicine team, our lead and our rehab supervisor, they create contracts they send out to the schools to say this is the service we are providing and this is what we can do for you to help your students and your student athletes. Would you like to have an athletic trainer at your school type of thing. So when they hand those out to the AD, the ADs speak among their other administrators to see if it’s a good idea or not. Right now, I believe we have 11 contracts, possibly 12 with local high schools in Southeast Michigan. With the contract, each contract is valid for two years, so an AT is stationed at that school for two years.

NP: Have been off-site or have you done work mostly on on-site?

LL: I’ve done mostly on-site work. There have been times I have covered for Mrs. Sarah in the past when I would cover girls or boys hockey. But other than that, it has been mostly on campus. I’m trying to work my way off campus, but with home events conflicting I have to ask for dual coverage and have one of our associates with the off campus coverage.

NP: Is there anything else you would like to add about your job here?

LL: I’m very excited to be here and excited for this opportunity. I’m very excited to see all these student athletes grow and expand with their academics and with their sport careers. I am very excited, and I’m here to help. If you guys need anything, I’m here.