Ochsner Rush Health Sports Medicine Institute has proudly served as the official provider of athletic training services and orthopedic care for Meridian Community College for over 30 years. The Athletic Training Room at MCC is located on the ground floor of Ivy Hall beneath the Graham Gymnasium and is equipped with a full range of rehabilitation and treatment modalities, including electric stimulation, ultrasound, moist heat packs, cryotherapy, taping stations, hot and cold whirlpool tubs, and an on-site defibrillator.

Athletic healthcare services at MCC are delivered by certified and licensed athletic trainers, Christopher L. Haralson, Ed.D., ATC/L, and Taylor Ward, MS, ATC/L, in partnership with the Ochsner Rush Sports Medicine team. This team includes four board-certified, sports medicine-trained orthopedic surgeons, a comprehensive physical and occupational therapy program, and a network of 20 certified athletic trainers who provide coverage throughout East Mississippi and West Alabama. Together, they ensure that MCC student-athletes receive high-quality, comprehensive care focused on performance, safety, and long-term wellness

MCC Athletic Trainers

Christopher Haralson, Ed.D., ATC/L
Head Athletic Trainer 

Christopher Haralson is in his 19th season as Head Athletic Trainer at Meridian Community College, where he provides comprehensive sports medicine coverage for all 13 NJCAA athletic teams. Since joining MCC in April 2007, Haralson has been an integral part of the Eagles’ athletic program, working in collaboration with the Ochsner Rush Health Sports Medicine team to ensure the health and performance of student-athletes.

A certified and licensed athletic trainer, Haralson brings over two decades of experience in athletic healthcare, injury prevention, and human performance. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Mississippi State University. In 2025, he completed his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy and Organizational Design from Mississippi State, adding a leadership-focused academic foundation to his extensive clinical experience.

Before joining MCC, Haralson began his career with the Ochsner Rush Health Sports Medicine team in 2002, providing athletic training services at East Mississippi Community College (2002–2005) and Forest High School (2005–2007). He is certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (BOC) and licensed by the State of Mississippi.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Haralson is a dedicated educator. He teaches several courses within the Human Performance and Recreation department at MCC, including HPR 2733 – Introduction to Athletic Training, HPR 2723 – Treatment and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, and HPR 2711 – Medical Terminology. He has also taught HPR 1313 – Introduction to Physical Education and HPR 2213 – First Aid and CPR. His teaching style emphasizes real-world application, evidence-based practice, and a strong foundation in athletic care and performance.

Taylor Ward, MS, ATC/L, SMTC
Assistant Athletic Trainer

Taylor Ward begins her first year at Meridian Community College. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Athletic Training from Heidelberg University (Tiffin, OH) in 2021 and a Master's of Science in Physical Education from the University of West Alabama (Livingston, AL) in 2022. During and after graduate school, Taylor worked as an Instructor/Athletic Trainer at the University of West Alabama. She provided services primarily to the women's basketball and cheerleading teams, in addition to being an instructor in both the undergraduate and graduate athletic training programs at West Alabama.

In the Fall of 2024, Taylor was named the UWA High School Outreach Coordinator, where she provided and oversaw athletic training services to over 30 Alabama high schools. Since being hired by Ochsner Health in January of 2025, Taylor has been providing athletic training services to Meridian Community College Athletics. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association (ALATA), as she still resides in Livingston, Alabama, with her husband.

Taylor is licensed in athletic training by both the Mississippi Department of Health and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers to provide services in both states, as well as certified in Sports Manual Therapy through the Institute of Athlete Regeneration. In addition to working at MCC, Taylor also provides AT services through Ochsner Rush Health at Patrician Academy in Butler, Alabama.