UCSF PlaySafe Athletic Trainers

Gina joined the UCSF PlaySafe athletic training staff in the summer of 2010 after completing her graduate studies at San Jose State University.  While pursuing her Master’s in Kinesiology, Gina worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer from 2008-2010 at Santa Clara University.  During her time at SCU, she worked and traveled with the women’s varsity basketball and cross country teams.  Gina is also a graduate of Chapman University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training.  In January of 2007, she traveled with a group of Chapman athletic training students to Australia and spent a month studying sport, the work of physiotherapists, and recovery techniques with professional and Olympic athletes. Currently Gina is active in the California Athletic Trainers’ Association as a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee.  Her goal is to gain governmental recognition of the athletic training profession and licensure of athletic trainers in the state of California. 

Michael joined the UCSF PlaySafe athletic training staff in the spring of 2015.  Prior to his arrival at UCSF, Michael worked as the athletic trainer for Valley Christian High School-Dublin from 2014-2015. Michael received his Masters of Science degree in Exercise Science from the University of Toledo, Ohio. While at Toledo, Michael worked as the graduate assistant athletic trainer from 2012-2014 with the women’s volleyball team and men’s tennis team. In 2012 Michael received his Bachelors of Science degree from San Jose State University in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training.  In his spare time he enjoys reading, weight lifting, and spending time with family and his cat & dog.

Elise joined the UCSF PlaySafe athletic training staff in the fall of 2008.  Prior to her arrival at UCSF, Elise served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of California, Berkeley from 2005-2008, where she worked with football, women’s gymnastics, and track & field/cross country. In December of 2004, Elise received her Bachelor's degree from Oregon State University in Exercise and Sport Science, with an emphasis in Athletic Training; she also completed minors in Psychology and Music.  

Hally Tappan joined UCSF PlaySafe in August 2016.  In spring 2014, she received her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  During her undergraduate internship, she worked with UNLV football, baseball, and softball, as well as local high schools.  In 2016, Hally recieved her Masters of Arts in Athletic Training from San Jose State University.  Between fall 2014 and spring 2016 worked with San Francisco State University’s Women’s soccer and softball teams as a graduate assistant athletic trainer.  

Katie joined UCSF in 2017 after receiving her bachelors and master degrees from San Jose State University.   Prior to her work at UCSF, Katie was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at San Francisco State University for two years working with women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's wrestling, and women's track and field. 

Cam joined PlaySafe in 2021. Before PlaySafe, she managed athletic training services for club sports at the University of California, Berkeley. She covered 35 teams and primarily cared for ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s rugby, and triathlon. Additionally, she has worked all levels of lacrosse, from youth to professional. She earned her Master of Public Health in Health Policy & Management from the University of California, Berkeley and Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from San Diego State University.

Denise began to pursue athletic training at Foothill College in 2014. After receiving her associates degrees in Athletic Injury Prevention Care and Kinesiology, she continued to volunteer at Foothill as a lead student athletic trainer. In 2017, she transferred to San Jose State University and received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Athletic Training, in 2021. During her time at Foothill College and San Jose State, she worked with various sports teams such as football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, and track and field.

Lexsy joined UCSF in the summer of 2022, after achieving her bachelors and masters degrees from Northern Arizona University. In 2020 Lexsy began grad school at NAU working with soccer, football, swim/dive, and volleyball. In 2021 she spent her final year of grad school at Portland State University working with football and softball. Beyond college athletics, She spent a total of eight years for filling her passion and working with a variety of different sports teams; and athletes of all ages, until finally joining the UCSF sports medicine team.  

Hannah joined the UCSF PlaySafe program in the summer of 2022. She received her Bachelor's of Athletic Training at Boston University in 2019. Prior to moving to the California in 2020, Hannah worked as a licensed Athletic Trainer in the greater Boston and Phoenix area practicing in the collegiate and secondary school settings. She hopes to continue being a point-of-access to healthcare in the Bay Area.