Photo of female athletic trainer sitting on a weight bench in a workout room.

Ashe Memorial Hospital welcomes new athletic trainer

JEFFERSON, N.C. — Ashe Memorial Hospital recently welcomed Jill Steinbrink as its new athletic trainer.

In her new role, Steinbrink will work with Ashe County High School student-athletes to help prevent, assess, treat and rehabilitate injuries. Steinbrink will primarily be on-site for Ashe County High practices and home games; however, in addition to providing initial care on the field or court, Steinbrink will continue to work with Ashe County High’s student-athletes, scheduling follow-up appointments and seeing them through the entire rehabilitative process.

“We are extremely excited to add Jill to our team,” said Dustin Absher, director of rehabilitation services for Ashe Memorial Hospital. “She brings a wealth of knowledge along with collegiate level experience at Appalachian State and is passionate about supporting our student-athletes on and off the field. With her arrival, Ashe County High School Athletics can expect consistent and comprehensive athletic training coverage, ensuring the health and safety of our athletes remains the top priority. Jill will be a tremendous asset to our sports medicine program to extend our services at AMH and the continuum of care.”

A native of Illinois, Steinbrink played soccer for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. A former forward turned defender, Steinbrink helped anchor the Jaguars defense which allowed only six goals in nine games and registered six shutouts. Steinbrink was named to the Horizon League’s Academic Honor Roll and IUPUI’s Academic Advisor’s List.

With an interest in health and fitness, Steinbrink, who didn’t want to be a personal trainer or enter the medical field, opted to pursue athletic training. Steinbrink earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and health psychology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2021. She then went on to earn a Master of Science in athletic training from Appalachian State University in 2023.

“I grew up coming to the mountains and I love the outdoors,” Steinbrink said. “Athletic training is a good way to stay around the game.”

Prior to joining the team at Ashe Memorial Hospital, Steinbrink served as the athletic trainer for Appalachian State University’s wrestling, cheerleading, women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams.

“I’m looking forward to forming relationships with the athletes and watching them grow and change as they get older throughout the year,” Steinbrink said. “With college athletics there’s a lot of pressure and it takes away some of the enjoyment of it, but with high school it’s more about keeping the kids safe and letting them play.”

About Ashe Memorial Hospital
For more than 80 years, Ashe Memorial Hospital’s dedicated team of board-certified physicians, nurses and staff members have provided the highest quality medical care available to the people of Ashe County and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Ashe Memorial Hospital offers a wide variety of emergency, elective, rehabilitation and preventative health services.

Founded in 1941, Ashe Memorial Hospital is a fully accredited 25 bed critical hospital located in Jefferson, N.C. For more information, please visit ashememorial.org or call 336-846-7101.