Michael is a Professor and Director of the Graduate Athletic Training Program at the University of Virginia.  He received a Master’s degree in Athletic training from the University of Virginia and a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware. 

Michael has over 32 years of experience working in both the clinical and collegiate settings. His clinical work focuses on manual therapy and athletic specific training.  He has worked at the Union Memorial Sports Medicine Center in Baltimore, MD.  He was an assistant professor and Associate athletic trainer at Duquesne University and University of Delaware where he worked primarily with, men’s lacrosse, men’s basketball, and women’s soccer. He was also a co-owner of Sports Performance Training Systems providing sport specific training for athletes of all ages. 

He has presented at local, state, regional, and national conferences on head impact biomechanics in lacrosse, soccer and manual therapy techniques for the extremities and spine, and athlete specific rehabilitation/training. He has numerous publications in peer reviewed journals and is the author of the textbook Therapeutic Exercise from Theory to Clinical Practice. 

He was awarded the NATA Service Award and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association for his contribution to the Athletic Training profession.

David Porter, MD, Ph.D. is a graduate of Ball State University and earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr Porter also received his Ph.D in Human Bioenergetics (Sports and Exercise Physiology) from Ball State University’s internationally recognized Human Performance Laboratory. Following his residency in Orthopaedic surgery at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, Dr. Porter completed his fellowship in Foot and Ankle surgery with Tom Clanton,MD and Don Baxter, MD in Houston, TX. Prior to his fellowship Dr Porter also completed a 3 month senior elective in Foot and Ankle surgery with James Amis, MD in Cincinnati, OH In 1996, Dr. Porter joined Methodist Sports Medicine Center staff (NOW Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics) where he is active in clinical practice, research, and teaching. In addition, Dr. Porter serves as instructor at University Indianapolis School of Physical Therapy and the Purdue University Athletic Training program.

In addition to publications in scientific journals and presentations before physicians, Dr. Porter has been involved in written and spoken contributions to the NFL team physicians, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, American College of Sports Medicine. Dr Porter also serves as the Foot and Ankle consultant to the Indianapolis Colts, Purdue University and Butler University as well as numerous other colleges in central Indiana. Dr Porter has also been integrally involved in the care of professional athletes including the NFL, NBA and professional Ballet performers. Dr Porter was cited in April 23rd 2012 edition of Street & Smith’s Sports Business Daily Journal recognized as a leading specialist as it pertains to foot and ankle sports injuries and conditions. And, was awarded the ISMA Commission of Sports Medicine recipient of the Team Physician Award in 2013.

Erin Barill, PT, ATC is the Director of Sports Medicine for the Indianapolis Colts. He graduated from West Virginia University with a B.S in Secondary Ed/Athletic Training and a B.S in Physical Therapy.

NFL Experience: 2017 - Present, Indianapolis Colts, Director of Sports Medicine
2006 - 2017, Indianapolis Colts, Director of Rehabilitation
2003 - 2005, Indianapolis Colts, Part-Time Physical Therapist
1995 - 2002, Indianapolis Colts, Summer Intern

PFATS & External Committees: Sports Physical Therapy State Representative 2000-2005
Sports Physical Therapy Nominating Committee 2005-2007 (elected position)
Professional Sports Athletic Trainer State Representative 2008-2012
Professional and Intercollegiate Athletics SIG President Sports Physical Therapy Section APTA 2011-2017 Vice President/President

Steve Kennelly, MEd, ATC, CSCS, has been a member of the New York Football Giants medical team for more than 25 seasons and currently serves as their assistant head athletic trainer. Recognized as a leader in his field, Kennelly received the NFL Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year Award for the National Football Conference (NFC) in 2012. In 1999 he was part of the Giants staff that was named the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year. 

Both a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist, Kennelly has served in various roles and medical committees for the National Football League, Professional Football Athletic Trainers’ Society, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey. In 2013, after recognizing a need for quality instruction and programs in injury prevention, athletic development, postinjury reconditioning, and physical preparation, he founded Kennelly Athletics and Sports Medicine, LLC. His goal is to educate athletes, coaches, and parents on proper technique and progressions from fundamental movement patterns to advanced skills.

Dr. Melissa Graham is a licensed psychologist who has dedicated her career to supporting first responders, veterans, and their families. She completed her residency and internship with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs before transitioning to work for the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where she functioned for nearly 20 years. During her tenure with SAPD, Dr. Graham initiated many innovative training programs, including crisis intervention training and the peer support program. Dr. Graham was a respected staff instructor at the SAPD Training Academy and was responsible for conducting pre-employment psychological screenings for prospective police applicants. Dr. Graham also provided therapeutic programs and clinical psychological services for officers and their families. Dr. Graham was a member of the SAPD Hostage Negotiation Team, where she was a subject matter expert, providing critical de-escalation guidance during rapidly evolving life-threatening events.

In May 2019, Dr. Graham was promoted to Director of Psychological Services for the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD). In this role Dr. Graham designed new state-of-the-art training programs in support of firefighter needs, including post-incident stress debriefing (PSD) and firefighter wellness programs. In addition, she oversaw the department’s crisis intervention training and peer support team, which she created. Dr. Graham retired from SAFD in May of 2024 but continues to provide clinical therapy through her private practice.

In 2018, Dr. Graham was awarded Mental Health Professional of the Year for the State of Texas for her efforts on the Texas Crisis Intervention Team. She received her Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in July 2004 following her Masters in Community Counseling from the University of Oklahoma in 1998. Dr. Graham serves as the Psychological Services representative in several community action groups and on multiple conference planning committees.

Dr. Steve Jordan is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon. Dr. Jordan earned his Medical Degree from Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Jordan specializes in sports medicine; however, he takes a special interest in shoulder injuries, throwing injuries, ACL reconstruction, and Tommy John reconstruction. Dr. Jordan is the Team Physician for both Washington High School and Chipola College.

Darin A. Padua is the Associate Provost for Academic Operations of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an academic leader, he works to listen, collaborate, and empower others to work as a team towards our shared mission, vision, and priorities.

The Joseph Curtis Sloane Distinguished Professor of Exercise and Sport Science, Padua has been a member of UNC’s faculty since 2001. He teaches courses in biomechanics, human anatomy, and kinesiology with a focus on injury risk mitigation and optimizing human performance. Throughout his career, Padua has mentored fellow faculty, along with hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students. He served as chair in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science from 2013 to 2023.

With more than 25 years of experience, Padua is an internationally recognized scholar and is the Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention (MOTION) Science Institute. His research revolves around prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, such as ACL rupture, by studying the role of movement quality and biomechanics as injury risk factors and intervention targets. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, and his work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He

He received the Young Investigator Award by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2006) and was later awarded the O’Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award for the most outstanding sport injury related research paper by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (2008). He attained Fellow status in the National Academy of Kinesiology, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. His career research achievements were recognized by the by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association with receipt of the Medal for Distinguished Research (2017).

Padua earned a B.S. in athletic training from San Diego State University, M.A. in exercise and sport science/athletic training from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and PhD in sports medicine from the University of Virginia. Born and raised in Visalia, California, he lives with his wife Jody and three daughters in Durham, NC.

Associate Dean Geisler is a native of Lakeville, MA and current resident of Boston, MA. A certified athletic trainer since 1987 with over 15 years of varied clinical practice and 23 years' experience directing athletic training education programs at Georgia Southern University and Ithaca College. He is deeply interested in the development and assessment of the medico-clinical thinking processes of novice and experienced clinicians, the development of adaptive expertise in clinicians, progressive curriculum design, capability-based education, and meaningful programmatic assessment. He has over 170 national and international presentations and publications on clinical and educational based subjects in athletic training and health professions education to his credit. He is a member of the European Board of Medical Assessors, and past member of the Association of Medical Education, Europe.

As a scholar, he is the recipient of two manuscript awards from the Journal of Athletic Training and the Athletic Training Education Journal. For his many professional contributions, he has been the recipient of the NATA Athletic Training Service Award and NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. As an educator, he was awarded the NATA Executive Council on Education's Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award in 2021 and has received two Dean's Awards for Excellence & Innovation in Teaching, a Dean's Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning, and the all college Faculty Excellence Award, all from Ithaca College.

He admits to being an enthusiastic but slow road cyclist, an amateur shutterbug of nature and wonder, an aspiring wine snob and amateur foodie, and an unabashed promoter of equal rights, freedom, justice, and authentic democracy for all living beings. Susan, his life partner and wife of 34 years and he are fulfilled parents of two amazing young men – Nicholas, a writer living in Los Angeles, CA and Benjamin, a photographer and artist living in Brooklyn, NY.

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Master Preceptor Level Two - Module Five

Dr. Patrick McKeon is a BOC certified athletic trainer who joined the Ithaca College Athletic Training faculty in 2013. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Springfield College in Springfield, MA;  his Master of Science degree in Sports Health Care from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Phoenix, AZ (now in Mesa, AZ); and his PhD in Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He has held several positions as a clinical athletic trainer including Pearl River High School, Canisius College, and Marist College in New York, as well as Phoenix College and Brophy College Preparatory in Arizona.

SCHOLARLY/RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. McKeon’s research focuses on functional alterations associated with lower extremity joint injury. He incorporates patient-, clinician-, and laboratory-oriented outcomes to evaluate these alterations due to injury. Dr. McKeon also seeks to develop a greater understanding of the restoration of function associated with rehabilitation.  He aims to provide insight into effective clinical interventions for the sports medicine clinician to improve functional outcomes and enhance prevention strategies for patients who suffer lower extremity injury.  

EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS

Dr. McKeon's educational focus centers on evidence-based practice concepts and clinical reasoning theory. Within the courses he teaches, Dr. McKeon strives to instill a strong foundation in the integration of internal and external evidence for enhancing decisions related to the recognition, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries/illnesses associated with athletic training clinical practice.

PERSONAL

Dr. McKeon enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends seeking out great life experiences. His wife, Dr. Jennifer McKeon is the IC Athletic Training Program Director and a faculty member in the Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training. They have two children (Bobby and Mallory) who are also proud to be Bombers!

Series Content Where I am Featured:
Master Preceptor Level Two - Module Five