Melina Aviñon
Certified Athletic Trainer
Biography:
Melina Aviñon, ATC
LOCATION: SPT – Ferndale
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have been in the United States for ten years. The first five and a half years I spent going to school in Duluth, Minnesota, and when I graduated my husband, Andrew, and I moved to Bellingham. We have been here ever since and we are not planning on leaving any time soon!
People ask me what brought me to the US and the answer is ice hockey. I played in college as I was getting my Bachelor’s degree, and a few years into school I switched to track and field. I currently play hockey for the Argentinian National team when we have international tournaments, and on a rec league in Langley, BC, in the weekends. Other than hockey my passions are in the outdoors or in my craft room. I love to mountain bike, hike, trail run, ski and snowboard. I have been learning how to surf for the past few years but it is one of hardest sports I have ever tried. I also enjoy paddle boarding, bike packing and working out. On a rainy day, though, I will be either working on a sewing project in my craft room or reading a book. I also love gardening and making Argentinian pastries from scratch.
I have two fur babies. Lilo, the sweetest tabby cat in the world, and Stitch, an alaskan husky who’s smile is bigger than mine when we are on the trail. We take both of them camping and on long roadtrips.
When it comes to patient care, my core value is human connection, and since I am bilingual and a medical interpreter, I have the amazing opportunity of connecting with patients who speak English or Spanish.
EDUCATION:
The College of St. Scholastica – BS in Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica – MS in Athletic Training
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
National Athletic Trainers Association
SPECIALIZED TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS:
English-Spanish Medical Interpreter
BEYOND THERAPY:
Athletic Training
Sports Performance
National Ski Patrol
PERSONAL QUOTE:
“Recovering from an injury is not an easy journey, and rarely perfectly linear. There will be ups and downs, steps forwards and steps backwards, the key is to find the right team of clinicians that will be there by your side, supporting you with compassion, empathy and positive energy.” -Mel
