On this episode JD Boudreaux speaks with Aaron “Big A” McDonald. Known by many as “Big-A”, Aaron has been actively involved in the youth sports scene in Southwest Louisiana for the past 25 years serving in a variety of roles ranging from volunteer, coach to event organizer. A Health and Human Performance major from McNeese State University, Aaron started his career at LaGrange High School serving the school as its Athletic Trainer, Teacher and eventually Athletic Director. After returning to McNeese to earn his Master’s and Education Specialist’s degrees in Educational Leadership, Aaron has held numerous titles for the Calcasieu Parish School Board – currently he is the Principal of the Calcasieu Parish Alternative Site and Middle School H&PE Consultant/Athletic Director.

Aaron has also worked for Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Sports Medicine Department for over 20 years covering events at all local high schools, as well as, LHSAA’s State Championship events for swimming, boys’ and girls’ basketball, softball, and baseball. He has also presented across the state on topics such as school discipline, campus safety and developing/growing youth athletic departments. Originally from Sour Lake, Texas, Aaron and his wife Shelly live in Lake Charles, LA with their two children, Abbie and Alden.

In this episode, Big A discusses the necessity and importance of having emergency action plans during any event hosted on a school campus, including athletic practices and contests. With the recent passage of Louisiana Act 259 that becomes effective on August 1, 2020, secondary schools must establish a comprehensive emergency action plan for each sport located on the school's campus that is reviewed on an annual basis. 

Thanks again for joining us for this episode of MORE THAN A SCORE. As a company, we hope that you find this information valuable. If you are looking for more information about our company or specific initiatives, please visit epiceducationconsulting.com. If you have content ideas for our podcasts or feedback of any kind you can reach us at boudreauxjd@gmail.com. If you found value from this episode, please share it with a friend. Make sure you also subscribe so you get notified as new episodes release. You can subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or wherever you listen. We would be extremely grateful for that as your reviews help encourage others to listen in. Remember during sports participation, the health and safety of all participants should be an essential priority making the outcome of the activity MORE THAN A SCORE. We hope you join us for our next episode. 

In this two-part episode JD Boudreaux speaks with Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Randy Aldret. 

Dr. Stephanie Aldret is the Discipline Chair for Family Medicine for VCOM Louisiana Campus. Dr. Randy Aldret is the Assistant Dean for Research and Faculty Development. Both individuals have been an integral aspect of the EPIC Advisory Committee since its formation. 

In the second part of this episode, the Aldret’s cover the role of an osteopathic physician and the importance of taking are of the entire athlete. 

Thanks again for joining us for this episode of MORE THAN A SCORE. As a company, we hope that you find this information valuable. If you are looking for more information about our company or specific initiatives, please visit epiceducationconsulting.com. If you have content ideas for our podcasts or feedback of any kind you can reach us at boudreauxjd@gmail.com. If you found value from this episode, please share it with a friend. Make sure you also subscribe so you get notified as new episodes release. You can subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or wherever you listen. We would be extremely grateful for that as your reviews help encourage others to listen in. Remember during sports participation, the health and safety of all participants should be an essential priority making the outcome of the activity MORE THAN A SCORE. We hope you join us for our next episode. 

In this two-part episode JD Boudreaux speaks with Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Randy Aldret. 

Dr. Stephanie Aldret is the Discipline Chair for Family Medicine for VCOM Louisiana Campus. Dr. Randy Aldret is the Assistant Dean for Research and Faculty Development. Both individuals have been an integral aspect of the EPIC Advisory Committee since its formation. 

In this two-part episode, the Aldret’s cover the creation of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, how to become part of the sports medicine team for the US Olympic Committee, and the importance of taking are of the entire athlete. 

Thanks again for joining us for this episode of MORE THAN A SCORE. As a company, we hope that you find this information valuable. If you are looking for more information about our company or specific initiatives, please visit epiceducationconsulting.com. If you have content ideas for our podcasts or feedback of any kind you can reach us at boudreauxjd@gmail.com. If you found value from this episode, please share it with a friend. Make sure you also subscribe so you get notified as new episodes release. You can subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or wherever you listen. We would be extremely grateful for that as your reviews help encourage others to listen in. Remember during sports participation, the health and safety of all participants should be an essential priority making the outcome of the activity MORE THAN A SCORE. We hope you join us for our next episode. 

On this episode JD Boudreaux speaks with Karen Lew Feirman. 

Dr. Karen Lew Feirman has received multiple degrees in the education and healthcare sector including a Bachelor of Science in Education, Master’s of Education, and a Doctor of Health Science. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at the university level and 21 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer. Karen has volunteered for many organizations that has allowed her to display collaboration with other healthcare professionals and hone her leadership skills. Her service with these professional organizations have centered around educational initiatives, including the Director of Safety for USA Cheer Safety Council,  National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Convention Educational Program Project, SEATA’s Student Athletic Trainer Clinical Symposium, SEATA’s Educators Conference Executive Committee, Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (LATA) Director of Continuing Education and Education Committee, Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida’s (ATAF) Education Committee Co-Chair, and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s Medical Advisory Committee. 

In this episode, she discusses the safety advancements in the sport of competitive cheer as well as the significant need to consider specific communication styles across various generations. 

Thanks again for joining us for this episode of MORE THAN A SCORE. As a company, we hope that you find this information valuable. If you are looking for more information about our company or specific initiatives, please visit epiceducationconsulting.com. If you have content ideas for our podcasts or feedback of any kind you can reach us at boudreauxjd@gmail.com. If you found value from this episode, please share it with a friend. Make sure you also subscribe so you get notified as new episodes release. You can subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or wherever you listen. We would be extremely grateful for that as your reviews help encourage others to listen in. Remember during sports participation, the health and safety of all participants should be an essential priority making the outcome of the activity MORE THAN A SCORE. We hope you join us for our next episode. 

About our Guest

On this episode JD Boudreaux speaks with one of his mentors, Jim Murphy. 

Jim “Doc” Murphy has had an impact on a variety of organizations throughout his professional career. He has served three different stints at McNeese State University as the Director of Sports Medicine totaling more than 30 years of service to the institution and local community. In addition, he has served as the Director of Sports Medicine for many years for the local high school outreach program in Southwest Louisiana. He has also helped with the Justin Sports Medicine Program since 1987, where he has assisted with multiple rodeo events.  He has received many notable awards throughout his career including the William E. Newell Scholarship awarded by NATA, the Jim Finks Award sponsored by the Louisiana Sports Medicine Society, and the College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year Award presented by SEATA.  He was inducted into the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1989. 

 In this episode, Jim Murphy shares many of his experiences throughout his time as a collegiate athletic trainer. He discusses the many changes he has seen in the field of sports medicine since the beginning of his career including the addition of many administrative tasks that he is now responsible for overseeing.

Thanks for joining us for this episode of MORE THAN A SCORE. As a company, we hope that you find this information valuable. If you are looking for more information about our company or specific initiatives, please visit epiceducationconsulting.com. If you have content ideas for our podcast or feedback of any kind, you can reach us at boudreauxjd@gmail.com. If you found value from this episode, please share it with a friend. Make sure you also subscribe so you get notified as new episodes release. You can subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or wherever you listen. We would be extremely grateful for that as your reviews help encourage others to listen in. Remember during sports participation, the health and safety of all participants should be an essential priority making the outcome of the activity MORE THAN A SCORE. We hope you join us for our next episode. 

EPIC Education and Consulting is excited to announce the launch of MORE THAN A SCORE-A SPORTS MEDICINE PODCAST. The host of MORE THAN A SCORE is JD Boudreaux. The goal of this podcast is to share information on various sports medicine issues to educate community members and athletic participants while also assisting sports medicine professionals with career progression.

As a company, we hope that you find this information valuable. If you are looking for more information about our company or specific initiatives, please visit epiceducationconsulting.com. If you have content ideas for our podcast or feedback of any kind, you can reach us at boudreauxjd@gmail.com. Please share this new podcast with a friend. Make sure you also subscribe so you get notified as new episodes release. You can subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or wherever you listen. We would be extremely grateful for that as your reviews help encourage others to listen in. Remember during sports participation, the health and safety of all participants should be an essential priority making the outcome of the activity MORE THAN A SCORE. We hope you join us for our next episode.