The medical staff behind a professional sports team are some of the most important people to help keep the team healthy and physically fit.
FC Tucson Head Coach Jon Pearlman looks to improve his team by adding new additions and updates to the medical team.
Alee Vladyka returns for the 2022 season as the Head Athletic Trainer for the FC Tucson, overseeing the men’s and women’s teams. Vladyka started with the team in 2020 as a part time physical therapist helping the team during trainings and games. She stayed on during the 2021 season helping the men’s team on a part-time basis and was the Head Athletic Trainer for the women’s championship winning side. Halfway through the men’s season, she was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer.
“I see them before they’re injured, I see them the time they get injured, and I fix them,” Vladyka said. “Then I get to see them play again, and there isn’t any other healthcare profession out there that’s like that.”
Athletic Trainers are commonly thought to be trainers rather than medical professionals, said Vladyka. Athletic Trainers specialize in the prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation of injuries rather than enhancing performance through specific exercise regiments.
Vladyka holds an Athletic Trainer Certificate and is licensed to practice in Arizona. She also holds a Strength and Conditioning Coach certification, helping the players get stronger and more flexible to assist in injury prevention.
Dr. Mo Mortazavi returns for the 2022 season as one of the team doctors. Dr. Mortazavi and his team are non-operative sports medicine physicians specializing in concussions and musculoskeletal injuries.
Dr. Ty Endean returns for the 2022 season as the team’s Director of Sports Medicine. Dr. Endean specializes in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery.
JT Westling joins the medical staff ahead of the 2022 season. He is the primary Athletic Trainer for the FC Tucson Pro Academy Team.
Westling is a native of Phoenix and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona. He returns to Tucson after completing his Master’s degree in Athletic Training at the University of Idaho.
Sarah Gamillo and Xavier Holt join the team as Physical Trainers. They specialize in sports medicine and will assist Vladkya in the treatment of all players.
Eva Ramirez joins for the 2022 season as the Nutrition Intern. She will assist Vladkya in creating a diet plan for all players that will be best for optimal performance.
