Megan LaVacca joined the Salem College Sports Medicine staff on August 7, 2023.
Ms. Megan LaVacca serves as the Director of Sports Medicine and Head athletic trainer for Salem Academy and College. She joined the Salem community in August 2023 after five years as Head Athletic Trainer at Carolina University. Ms. LaVacca supports student-athletes through injury evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation. Her experience in both high school and collegiate settings brings valuable expertise to our campus athletic programs.Additionally, LaVacca served as the primary coordinator, mentor and oversight for the Bruins’ Athletic Training staff by scheduling coverage for practices, games and emergency medical care on a day-to-day basis.
LaVacca made her move to Carolina University after serving as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Pasack Valley/Pasack Hills High School in Hillsdale, New Jersey, in 2018.
The opportunity to join the staff at Pasack Valley/Pasack Hills High School came while completing her final semester of graduate studies at Montclair State, where she earned a Master of Science in athletic training in May 2018. While at Montclair State, LaVacca was a guest lecturer for the ATTR 251 and 252 classes, which focused on Clinical Education. She also conducted research as a Graduate Assistant which was involved with faculty research and the instructional function of undergraduate students in the Montclair State Athletic Training Program.
LaVacca completed her Bachelor of Science in athletic training at East Carolina University in May 2016. While with the Pirates, LaVacca worked with the Pirates cheer and dance, tennis, soccer, track and field, cross country, softball, swimming and diving as well as football programs. She also worked with both the Varsity and Junior Varsity sports at nearby North Pitt High School.
Along with holding degrees from both Montclair State and East Carolina, LaVacca is licensed Athletic Trainer for the North Carolina Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners; certified by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (since 2016); an AMA BLS provider in CPR/AED; and an AMA Professional Rescuer.
