My Story: Sara Vida

Safety has always been a part of my story, and injury prevention was where I began that journey. I’m a licensed certified athletic trainer and worked with athletes for the first 20-plus years of my life. I worked in high school, collegiate and industrial settings. My job was to work both proactively and reactively to recognize and treat potential musculoskeletal injuries. I always enjoyed interacting with all the different populations I’ve worked with, from high school athletes to pipefitters working in the gas industry.

Many personal connections have been made. Sometimes, athletes would need to rehab a torn ACL for months, and I’d spend every day with them strengthening the knee until they were ready to play again. Other times, providing a simple stretch to an employee for a sore shoulder can make all the difference.

When I left athletics, and in my current setting at Henry Ford Health, my passion has been for ergonomics. I realized that my knowledge in human anatomy and physiology could be applied to employees in the workforce.

Human biomechanics could be applied to safe lifting practices. Ergonomics and how we move in the workplace could be evaluated to make our jobs safer. Body positioning could be evaluated to eliminate potential injuries. My background in injury prevention could be used in many ways to help keep our employees safe!

At Henry Ford, I make it my goal to listen to all of our employees and offer assistance however I can.

The safety of all our employees truly is my top priority.

Sara Vida
Employee safety specialist
Henry Ford Health
Detroit