Sports Medicine Department - Staff

Paul Starks MA, ATC, PTA, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

Head Athletic Trainer/Instructor

Email: paul_starks@westvalley.edu
Phone: (408) 741-2005

» Paul has been a member of the West Valley College Sports Medicine staff since 1992. In addition to being certified as an athletic trainer (ATC), he is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with years of inpatient and outpatient physical therapy experience. Paul is also certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
» Paul graduated from West Valley College, and then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He earned his Masters degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University.
» Paul resides in Gilroy with his wife Rachel and three children (Garrett, Sarah & Aubrey)

Meredith Dillon, MA, ATC

Certified Athletic Trainer/Instructor

Email: meredith_dillon@westvalley.edu
Phone: (408) 741-2408

» Meredith joined the West Valley College staff in 2004, after working several years as an athletic trainer at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
» A native of Southern California, Meredith first attended Santa Barbara City College and received two Associate of Arts degrees in Sports Medicine and Liberal Arts. After studying abroad in England for a semester, she transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. She then went on to complete her masters degree in Kinesiology at San Jose State University. While at San Jose State, Meredith was the Head Athletic Trainer at Westmont High School in Campbell, California.
» Meredith is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the California Community College Athletic Trainers' Association (CCCATA).

Jenni Frisby, MA, ATC

Assistant Athletic Trainer

» Jenni comes to West Valley after two years as an athletic trainer with the PlaySafe program at UC San Francisco. At UCSF, she gained valuable experience working with the orthopedic surgeons and primary care physicians in the sports medicine practice while also providing sports medicine coverage at the San Francisco public high schools.
» Jenni began her education at West Valley College and, after earning her associates degree, she transferred to Brigham Young University in Utah where she graduated with a bachelors degree in Physical Education, Athletic Training emphasis. After finishing at BYU, Jenni continued her education at San Jose State, earning a masters degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Training emphasis. While completing her masters, Jenni was also a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Cupertino High School.
» Jenni currently lives in her home town of Sunnyvale with her husband Jared.

John T. Kao, M.D.

Team Physician

» Dr. Kao began his affiliation with West Valley College in 2001 and brought a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the intercollegiate athletics program. He currently works for Sports, Orthopedic And Rehabilitation (SOAR) Medicine Associates in San Jose.
» He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Stanford University, and also a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic where he also assisted with the orthopedic care of the local professional teams: LA Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, and former LA Rams football Club.
» Dr. Kao has done extensive teaching and research with students in medical school, and has written numerous published journal articles. He has served as a presenter at numerous conferences, and also a clinical instructor at Stanford where he received many honors. Dr. Kao's particular interest are with shoulder, elbow and knee injuries in the active athlete. Recently, he has been recognized as one of the few South Bay physicians performing hip arthroscopy.
» Dr. Kao Enjoys golf, softball and fishing. He resides in San Jose with his with Yoko and two children, Erica and Mathew.

Anthony J. Saglimbeni, M.D.

Owner of South Bay Sports & Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc.
Team Physician & Medical Director for WVC Student Health Services

» Dr. Saglimbeni joined the West Valley College Sports Medicine Team in 2007, and has served as the medical director for the student health services facility on campus for several years. He is the owner of South Bay Sports & preventive Medicine Associates, Inc in San Jose, where he practices pediatrics, internal medicine and primary care sports medicine. Dr. Saglimbeni also serves as a physician for the San Francisco Giants, Bellarmine College Prep and Presentation High School.
» Dr. Saglimbeni completed his undergraduate education at UCLA, and attended medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his residency in both internal medicine and Pediatrics at UC Irvine, and continued his training by completing a sports medicine fellowship at UC San Diego.

Gary Brown, PA-C
Debbie Brown, PA-C, FNP

Physician Assistant

» Gary is a Certified Physician Assistant with over 30 years of orthopedic experience. He has been with Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine since 1983, as well as a vital member of the Sports Medicine team at West Valley College. Gary works as a surgical assistant with numerous orthopedic sports medicine specialists and assists in performing a variety of surgical procedures. In addition, he and his wife Debbie are the owners of an orthopedic bracing company, Sports Bracing U.S.A., Inc., which provides medical support for physicians throughout northern California.
Website: sportsbracingusa.com
» Debbie Brown works as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Physician Assistant (PA-C) in San Jose, and has served as a valuable member of our sports medicine team for health screening exams and a resource for referrals in the community. This dynamic duo has been committed to the health care needs of our student-athlete population for nearly 25 years.
» Gary's hobbies include: fishing, boating, and water sports. He resides in San Jose with his wife Debbie and two sons, Evan and Taylor.

Hours of Operation
Fall and Spring Semesters » Mon-Fri: 11AM-6:30PM

Athletic Trainers
Paul Starks paul_starks@westvalley.edu (408) 741-2005
Meredith Dillon meredith_dillon@westvalley.edu (408) 741-2408

Forms
» Health Screening Exam (1) » Health Screening Exam (2) » Medical Consent » Medical Release » Insurance Verification