Janet Wilbert retired her athletic training certification after 20 years of service. She began her athletic training career in California where she was a high school life science teacher and the athletic trainer for the school. It was on the sidelines of the football games where she met her husband, Jeff. They moved to Tennessee in 1994 and Janet quickly began working at Methodist Hospital sports medicine in McKenzie, TN. She remained there for several years before transitioning to Vanderbilt Sports Medicine in Martin, TN. She covered high school sports in Obion, Carroll, and Weakley counties while in these positions. During this time she was a mentor to many students who were pursing athletic training careers. In 2000, Janet took a position as the program director for the Athletic Training Education Program at UT Martin. During this time she took many student groups to the SEATA student symposium in Atlanta, GA and watched as the new “faces” of athletic training graduated and became employed.
Upon moving to Tennessee, Janet immediately became involved with the TATS organization. She attended the symposiums, business meetings and got involved in various committees such as the secondary schools and professional development. She has always been a strong advocate for TATS and encouraged all her students and fellow athletic trainers to get involved in the professional society. She was honored to serve on the Tennessee Board of Athletic Trainers for a 3 year term where she was a part of moving the profession of athletic training forward towards greater recognition in the State of Tennessee. Last year she was honored with the Jerry Robertson Outstanding Educator Award.
Janet and Jeff have two children, Jonathan, 25 years old and Jacob 22 years old. Janet retired her athletic training certification and license on January 1, 2012 and is proud to step back and watch as the next generation of athletic trainers take the helm of this great profession.