Special Lecture

Sandra Harris, director of performer health, is Backhausdance company’s first certified athletic trainer. Sandra completed both her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Master of Science in Athletic Training in a total of five years through Chapman University’s bridged program. She is currently attending Ohio University, where she will soon graduate with a Doctorate of Athletic Training as well as a Performing Arts Medicine certificate. In addition to her athletic training certification, Sandra also holds a Pilates certification with a dance specialization which provides a great foundation for rehabilitating injuries.

As a dancer herself - Sandra sought out different means to bring healthcare to performers. Her first opportunity to work with dancers was through an internship through the Dance Clinic at California State University, Long Beach. Soon afterwards, Sandra was contracted out to work with the entertainment department of a very large theme park in Southern California. There, she provided care and injury prevention to professional performing artists such as stunt performers, dancers, singers, musicians, and actors. Through this company, Sandra also provided care for cruise line performers.

In addition to Backhausdance company, Sandra concurrently works as a co-head athletic trainer at Fullerton College. She provides health care services across twenty-two traditional sport teams including football, basketball, baseball, and softball to name a few. Sandra also co-hosts, edits, and produces an athletic training podcast called AT Corner with her husband, Randy, who is also a certified athletic trainer.

Athletic trainers (ATs) are recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an allied healthcare profession. ATs work in collaboration with a physician to provide services such as injury examination and clinical diagnosis, emergency care, therapeutic intervention, rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions, and injury and illness prevention.