March is both National Athletic Training Month and Women’s History Month, and our second spotlight in recognition of this is a remarkable woman named Jessica Scott, DPT, ATC, CSCS, TSAC-F. She’s a force in athletic training and tactical sports medicine, with a career spanning hospital outpatient rehabilitation and the founding of New England Tactical Sports Medicine, where her commitment to health, wellness, and injury prevention shines.
Jessica’s journey into athletic training was driven by a deep-seated desire to make meaningful differences in peoples’ lives. Holding an undergraduate degree in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University, she specializes in sports medicine, focusing on cardiovascular health and endurance and comprehensive treatment of injuries. Her extensive experience includes providing on-field medical care and follow-up treatment and rehabilitation services to numerous individuals. She has also worked in hospital outpatient rehabilitation departments in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, catering to orthopedic, surgical, and concussion patients.
Inspired by her firefighter father’s experiences, Jessica founded New England Tactical Sports Medicine. The aim was to cater to the unique needs of tactical athletes in professions like firefighting, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and the military. Here, she provides customized rehabilitation services, educational seminars on injury prevention, and fitness programs tailored to enhance tactical athletes’ well-being and performance. Her workshops cover essential topics such as cardiovascular health, nutrition, hydration, body mechanics (proper lifting), stretching, weight management, and heat/cold illness.
Jessica takes a holistic approach, treating each tactical athlete as a whole person rather than just addressing isolated injuries. By emphasizing fitness alongside rehabilitation and integrating traditional gym equipment such as free weights, resistance bands, and barbells with non-traditional exercises like sandbag training and functional work-related activities, she ensures personalized care that empowers athletes to thrive in their demanding professions.
Jessica first encountered HawkGrips Tools at an Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) conference, where she was impressed by their superior quality compared to other instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) products she had previously used. “I found HawkGrips to have the best products available on the market, and since then, HawkGrips Instruments have become a valuable part of my clinical practice,” Jess said.
As with so many other athletic trainers, the HGPro Multi-Tool stands out as her favorite product for its versatility and compact design, providing seven different treatment edges in one convenient instrument.
Jessica’s connection with HawkGrips strengthened when she met the company’s founder, Frank Osborne, at a Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Conference (PBATS). “Frank and the HawkGrips company have always been very supportive of me and the athletic training profession,” she commented.
Although she has faced gender bias and disrespect from various quarters in the field of athletic training, Jessica has confronted these challenges head-on. Establishing clear boundaries and drawing from her extensive knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, she has earned respect in her interactions. Her advice to aspiring athletic trainers, especially women, is to seek out supportive female role models and mentors. Following this guidance has been instrumental in her own journey, empowering her to navigate the complexities of the field with confidence and resilience.
Thank you to Jessica for her passion and dedication to the athletic training field and tactical athletes, her support of HawkGrips, and for sharing her story with us for this month’s series. Check out her website, New England Tactical Sports Medicine, here! And follow on Facebook and Instagram.