FIRSTAR Let's chAT: an Athletic Therapy podcast | Official Podcast of WFATT
Official Podcast Of: The World Federation Of Athletic Training & Therapy (WFATT)
We are each the expert of our own story and expertise always holds value.
Join this Athletic Therapy-driven discussion, an integrated and collaborative space for practitioners, athletes and sports performance personnel.
We Grow. Together. Organic Dialogue, Passionate Pros.
Join The Conversation. Join The Community.
About the Host:
James Gardiner is an Athletic Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Specialist with over 17 years of professional service. He has worked with athletes from major sports at the professional level (including MLS, NLL, NHL, MLB, MiLB, NCAA, OHL, AHL, CFL, Olympians, World Competitors) and high level amateurs.
In hosting this podcast, James brings insight, passion and a drive to push the profession of Athletic Therapy forward as an integral part of the human performance landscape.
FIRSTAR Let's chAT: an Athletic Therapy podcast | Official Podcast of WFATT
Session 180 (November, 2025): We do more than tape ankles. We are in more places than sidelines. We are ATs.
Send us a text with your feedback from this session!
Session 180 We do more than tape ankles. We are in more places than sidelines. We are ATs.
Dennis Coonan is the Manager of the Sports Medicine Center at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO. We discuss the role of 80 Athletic Trainers within an organization and how establishing value elicits purpose.
Dennis Coonan, MSE, LAT, ATC, brings over 25 years of athletic training experience to his role as Manager of the Sports Medicine Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado. In this capacity, he directs daily operations, long-range program development, and the professional growth of a team of more than 75 athletic trainers and sports dietitians. Throughout his career, Dennis has consistently advanced patient care and staff development, from launching electronic medical record systems and negotiating equity pay initiatives to mentoring young professionals entering the field. His career path spans high schools, collegiate athletics, and physician practices, with leadership roles at the University of Kansas, University of the Pacific, Florida International University, and Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute. A recognized thought leader, Dennis has presented at local, regional, and national conferences on topics ranging from risky throwing mechanics in youth athletes, emergency scenarios, catastrophic injury management, and return-to-sport planning. He is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, serving on both the Convention Program Committee and as the District 7 Chair for ATs Care. Dennis completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State University and graduate work at the University of Kansas. He and his wife Chris along with daughter Callie currently reside in Castle Rock, CO.
The World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy is excited to announce the next International Athletic Training & Therapy Day on February 12th, 2026 (IATTD26)!
Use: #IATTD26