With March being National Athletic Training Awareness Month, Emory Athletics would like to highlight several members of the Sports Medicine staff. First is Karli Dill who joined the Emory staff in August of 2014 and has been the lead contact tracing official for the Emory campus during the COVID pandemic.
** What inspired you to become an athletic trainer?
I played a lot of sports growing up and got introduced to athletic training when I was in high school. I was always interested in injuries and wanted to stay in the world of sports so it was a natural choice!
** What is the one thing you enjoy the most about your role?
The relationships I get to build with the athletes is the highlight of my job. I love watching them grow as people and athletes during their four years and being able to play a small role in that is something I value!
** What would you say has been some of your most memorable moments from working at Emory or over the course of your career?
My most memorable moments involve athletes that have suffered a serious injury and battled their way back to playing. It is a special and sometimes nerve-wracking moment when you go through the rehab process with an athlete and then get to see them play again. Winning also provides some memorable moments! Watching the athletes I work with succeed is definitely a highlight!
** COVID has forced you to go above and beyond more than usual, can you describe some of your expanded job responsibilities that you have had during the pandemic?
I was appointed contact tracing co-coordinator in August and have been leading the contact tracing team for all Emory students. We also helped in the COVID clinic at student health last semester. As athletics have returned, I have reduced my involvement with contact tracing but am still working with student health to hire people to take over.
** What is one of the most surprising part of being an athletic trainer?
You never know what you are going to get from day to day! You have to be able to think on your feet and I enjoy that part of the job.
** What do you know now about athletic training that you would go back and tell your younger self?
I would tell my younger athletic training self that you have a lot to learn. I think I knew that back then but as you gain experience in this profession you learn a great deal. I am a much better athletic trainer now than I was 5 years ago and I’m sure I will be better 5 years from now!