Dr. Lark Welch, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, CSCS
Professor of Athletic Training
The International Sports Medicine course is heading to Australia in January, led by Dr. Jeffrey Beer. Students will fly into Sydney for half the visit while also visiting Cairns and the Gold Coast. Students are ready to go and we are excited. The trip will include lectures from medical professionals, sporting events, surfing, snorkeling, walking tours, collaboration and much more. These are valuable growth opportunities for our students both academically and personally. If ever interested in more information on our travels please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Dr. Lark Welch is a new full-time faculty member for the Master of Athletic Training Department. Formerly, Welch served on the faculties of the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., totaling over 21 years of teaching athletic training and sport and exercise science courses and curricula. Welch earned a Master of Science in Exercise Science from Northeastern University in Chicago and her Ph.D. in athletic training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah.
She has 30 years of clinical experience as an athletic trainer in high schools and outpatient rehabilitation clinics.
Welch has held offices and roles in the Illinois Athletic Training Association, Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (D4), ATI Physical Therapy Research and Development Committee, Lewis University Faculty Affairs Committee, the University of Mary Library Committee, the University of Mary Retention Committee, and the University of Mary Teaching Faculty Organization. She is currently involved in the North Dakota Athletic Training Association as the Council on Practice Advancement (COPA) chairperson, the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training (PRAT) workgroup on professional values, and the Illinois Center for Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation in Hinsdale, Ill.
Welch has been a member of the National Athletic Training Association (NATA) for 31 years and a board-certified member for 30 years. She has held National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification since 1997 and is a member of the NSCA. Research interests include injury prevention of the knee and hip, engaging students in the learning of athletic training, and exercise recovery outcomes. She has published articles on these topics and spoken at state and district conferences. Welch will teach in her areas of contemporary expertise, including therapeutic interventions, therapeutic modalities, primary care, sports performance enhancement, and research methods.