John M. Bielawski honored by Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association
BALTIMORE (February 22, 2012) – MedStar Sports Medicine’s John M. Bielawski, MHM, LAT, ATC, has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award by the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA). Each year, the professional organization selects a qualified member to honor based on exceptional contributions made to the athletic training profession.
Bielawski will be honored for his achievement in May at the district meeting in Greenville, S.C. He is director of the Arnold Palmer SportsHealth Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and regional director of sports medicine for the MedStar National Rehabilitation Network.
“I’m humbled by the whole thing,” said Bielawski. “No one goes into a profession with the expectation of being honored for what you do, and it’s really nice to be nominated by peers and to be recognized. That’s a lot of people who are doing good work every day.”
Eligible applicants for the award are MAATA members hailing from the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Applicants must have at least 20 years of certified membership with MAATA. The best candidates are chosen based on experience and contributions at district, local/state and national levels, as well as community service.
Bielawski’s 36 years as an athletic trainer include experience with high school, college and professional athletes as well as recreational athletics and weekend warriors. After working extensively with lacrosse injuries during time spent at Johns Hopkins University, he was selected as a member of the medical team for the US Men’s National Lacrosse Team in three consecutive World Lacrosse Championships. He has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) since 1972 and the MAATA since 1976.
Bielawski earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Towson University, a master’s in athletic training/sports medicine from Indiana State University and a master’s in healthcare management/administration from the University of Maryland University College.
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MEDSTAR HEALTH
MedStar Health is a not-for-profit, community-based healthcare organization that owns and operates nine major hospitals and other healthcare services in the Baltimore/Washington region. The hospitals, which include both teaching and community facilities, are MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, MedStar Harbor Hospital, and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olny, and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Mary’s, Maryland, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in the District of Columbia.
As one of the largest employers in the region with more than 26,000 employees and over 5,300 affiliated physicians, MedStar Health hospitals and healthcare organizations serve more than half-a-million patients each year. MedStar Health is based in Columbia, Maryland and is one of the largest health systems in the mid-Atlantic region.
Areas of clinical excellence include cardiology, cardiac surgery, oncology services, rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, women’s services and emergency and trauma services.
MedStar Health’s comprehensive services include primary, urgent and sub acute care, medical education and research. Other health-related services include assisted living, home health, and long-term care MedStar Health also operates nursing homes, senior housing, adult day care, rehabilitation and ambulatory centers. The organization also maintains MedStar Physician Partners, a comprehensive physician network in the Baltimore-Washington area.
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