Northwest Nazarene University Athletics

Christopher Dean enters his first year with the NNU athletic training staff in 2026.

Christopher Dean, ATC, is an experienced athletic trainer and sports medicine leader with more than 30 years of experience in athlete care, orthopedic service line development, community outreach, and healthcare operations. He currently serves as the Outreach Sports Medicine Supervisor for Saint Alphonsus Health System, where he leads sports medicine outreach initiatives and partnerships that support athletes, coaches, schools, and community organizations throughout the Treasure Valley. 

Before joining Saint Alphonsus, Dean held leadership positions with Foundation Health Partners and Tanana Valley Clinic in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he oversaw orthopedic and sports medicine operations, managed multidisciplinary teams, and developed a highly successful community outreach sports medicine program serving athletes across multiple levels of competition.

A certified athletic trainer since 1996, Dean earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and has dedicated his career to injury prevention, rehabilitation, athlete safety, and advancing best practices in sports medicine. Throughout his career, he has provided athletic training services for high school, collegiate, community, regional, and national sporting events while advocating for the health and well-being of student-athletes.

Dean also serves as an Athletic Trainer for Northwest Nazarene University Athletics, where Saint Alphonsus athletic trainers provide comprehensive sports medicine coverage and healthcare leadership for NNU student-athletes. 

Known for his servant leadership style and commitment to excellence, Dean brings a unique combination of clinical expertise, operational leadership, and community partnership development to Saint Alphonsus Sports Medicine. His work focuses on ensuring athletes receive high-quality care that promotes performance, recovery, and long-term health.