Ashley Thrasher

Name:  Ashley B. Thrasher
Department: Health Sciences
Program: Athletic Training
Rank: Assistant Professor
Title: Didactic Education Coordinator
Work Phone: 828-227-3511
Work Email: abthrasher@wcu.edu
Office address :  HHSB 364

Education:
Doctorate – Ball State University; Adult, Higher and Community Education with cognate in Biomechanics
Masters – Western Michigan University; Athletic Training
Bachelors – Anderson University; Athletic Training and Biology

Licenses & Specialty Credentialing: 
BOC Certified Athletic Trainer                                          Licensed Athletic Trainer in the State of North Carolina          
National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist                                                   
National Provider Identifier #1134406341                                                                     
College and University Teaching Certificate                                                                 
American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (CPR and AED)
Graston Technique M1 – Basic Training                                                           

Experience:
Dr. Thrasher has a variety of clinical experience in athletic training ranging from pop warner to professional level. These experiences include secondary school athletics, college, clinic, performing arts, semi-professional basketball (Indiana Alleycats) professional arena football (Columbus Destroyers) and various camps and tournaments. Currently, Dr. Thrasher volunteers at Blue Ridge Health Jackson, in which she sees orthopedic patients and provides athletic training services to individuals who do not have access to other rehabilitative services.

Area of Expertise:
Shoulder and Hip Evaluation and Treatment
Therapeutic Interventions
Evidence-Based Practice and Research
Biomechanics

Primary Teaching Responsibilities:
ATTR 221: Therapeutic Modalities I
ATTR 222: Therapeutic Modalities II
ATTR 240: Emergency Procedures in Athletic Training
ATTR 323: Therapeutic Modalities III
ATTR 330: Clinical Measures of the Lower Extremity
ATTR 340: Clinical Measures of the Upper Extremity
ATTR 375: Therapeutic Exercise

Scholarly Interests:
Professional Socialization
Transition to Practice of Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers
Therapeutic Intervention

Recent Publications and Presentations:

•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE. Newly credentialed athletic trainers’ perceptions of their transition to practice. Journal of Athletic Training. [in press].
•         Walker SE, Thrasher AB, Mazerolle SM, Rager J. Challenges newly credentialed athletic trainers’ endure during their transition to practice. Journal of Athletic Training. [in press].
•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE, Hankemeier DA. Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Professional Preparation for their Role as Collegiate Graduate Assistants. Athletic Training Education Journal. 2018;13(3):227-238.
•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE. Orientation process for newly credentialed athletic trainers as they transition to practice. Journal of Athletic Training. 2018;53(3):292-302. 
•         Hankemeier DA, Kirby JL, Walker SE, Thrasher AB. Athletic training preceptors’ perceived learning needs regarding preceptor development. Athletic Training Education Journal. 2017;12(1):39-45.
•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE, Hankemeier DA, Mulvihill TM. Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of Professional Socialization in the Collegiate Setting: Part I. Journal of Athletic Training. 2016;51(10):758-770.
•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE, Hankemeier DA, Mulvihill TM. Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of the Supervisor’s Role in Professional Socialization:  Part II. Journal of Athletic Training. 2016;51(10):771-779.
•         Walker SE, Mazerolle SM, Thrasher AB. Orientation tactics utilized in post-professional athletic training programs. Athletic Training Education Journal. 2016; 11(3):138-145.
•         Walker SE, Thrasher AB, Mazerolle SM. Exploring the perceptions of newly credentialed athletic trainers as they transition to practice. Journal of Athletic Training. 2016; 51(8):601-612.
•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE, Hankemeier DA, Pitney WA. Supervising athletic trainers’ perceptions graduate assistant athletic trainers’ professional preparation. Athletic Training Education Journal. 2015;10(4):275-286.
•         Mazerolle SM, Walker SE, Thrasher AB. Exploring the transition to practice for the newly credentialed athletic trainer: A programmatic view. Journal of Athletic Training. 2015;50(10):1042-1053.
•         Thrasher AB, Walker SE, Hankemeier DA, Pitney WA. Supervising athletic trainers’ perceptions of professional socialization of graduate assistant athletic trainers in the collegiate setting. Journal of Athletic Training, 2015;50(3):321-333.
•         Hankemeier DA, Thrasher AB. Relationship between the weight bearing lunge and non-weight bearing dorsiflexion range of motion. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care. 2014;6(3):128-134.
•         Krasinski DJ, Thrasher AB, Miller MG, Holcomb WR. Effects of transducer mass on intramuscular temperature during ultrasound treatments. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 2013;22(4):296-300.

 Service Interest:

Dr. Thrasher’s service interests include research, professional development, and education. She serves on various committees at the School, College, University, and professional levels. She is a CAATE site visitor, serves on the professional development committee for North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association, and serves on the research and grants committee for Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association. She is also on the Editorial Board for the Athletic Training Education Journal and a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Athletic Training, Athletic Training Education Journal, and Athletic Training and Sports Healthcare. Dr. Thrasher also currently leads the WCU Run for Research, which is a 175-mile relay (25 miles per person) on the Blue Ridge Parkway to raise money for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation.

Honors/Awards:
NCHSAA Commissioner’s Choice Award for Excellence (WCU                                2019
Athletic Training Program and Faculty)
Athletic Training Education Journal Award for Advancing Clinical Practice            2017
Arkansas State University College of Education and Behavioral Science Faculty   2016
Achievement Award for Scholarship
Athletic Training Education Journal Outstanding Research Manuscript                  2016

 Bio: Dr. Ashley Thrasher is originally from Mansfield, Ohio. She has been a faculty member in the Athletic Training Program at WCU since 2016. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys running, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Andrew, and her adorable dogs, Piper and Dixie.