Michelle Holt is chair of the Physician Practice Panel on the NATA’s Council on Practice Advancement. Michelle recently joined the team at Columbus Orthopedics and Sports Medicine clinic in Columbus, Nebraska to pioneer the clinic AT role there. She relocated from Arlington, Texas where she worked six years at Sideline Orthopedics and Sports broadening skills in clinic and also assisted in surgery. Michelle originally hails from the central valley of California but graduated from Texas Christian University and became certified in 2010. After doing an internship at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Florida, she earned her masters degree at San Jose State University in athletic training while working as a GA at Stanford University. Texas called her back to become the first Athletic-Trainer-In-Residence at NATA in 2013, followed by working 3 years at Chisholm Trail High School in Fort Worth before transitioning to the clinic. Michelle is a dedicated volunteer having served previous terms on SWATA’s executive board, Young Professionals committee, and as former D6 NATAPAC Director.

Brandy Jones-Neelam, MS, LAT, ATC, OTC, is a healthcare leader and certified athletic trainer with extensive experience in orthopedic practice management, clinical operations, and sports medicine. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Services at Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina, overseeing multi-site clinical operations across orthopedic clinics, urgent care, physical therapy, and ambulatory surgery centers. In this role, she leads staffing, budgeting, workflow optimization, and quality initiatives, while serving as an athenaOne Clinicals superuser focused on documentation accuracy and system efficiency.

Brandy’s background includes progressive leadership roles in clinical services, sports medicine program coordination, and athletic training residency education, as well as prior academic appointments as a Clinical Education Coordinator and Assistant Professor. She remains clinically active as a credentialed surgical first assistant and licensed athletic trainer. Brandy is also highly engaged in professional service through leadership roles within the National, Mid-Atlantic, and North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Associations, reflecting her commitment to advancing athletic training practice and patient care.

Yuri Hosokawa is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Japan. Her research interests include prevention and education of sudden death in sport, establishing best practices in road race medicine, developing regional-specific heat guidelines for exertional heat illness prevention, and developing heat acclimatization guidelines for tactical athletes. She is also partaking in research projects in biometeorology to promote interdisciplinary research across physiologists, climatologists, and public health researchers.

Dr. Hosokawa served as a member of the International Olympic Committee Adverse Weather Impact Expert Working Group for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and led the effort to implement best practices for prehospital care of exertional heat stroke in Japan. She established and coordinated prehospital exertional heat stroke management plans for seventeen disciplines during the Olympics and five disciplines during the Paralympics that were deemed high risk for exertional heat stroke. Tokyo Games marked Japan’s first mass-sporting event to implement evidence-based exertional heat stroke prehospital care. Hosokawa’s effort set the standard for future athlete medical service and showcased the expertise of athletic trainers in Japan.

Dr. Hosokawa currently serves as a heat advisor for the Japan Coast Guard, Fifth Regional Coast Guard, to optimize the resilience of the special rescue team. She is also a member of the Expert and Advisory Board of the World Athletics’ World Academy for Endurance Medicine and the World Lacrosse Medical Commission.

Dr. Hosokawa received her bachelor’s degree in Sport Sciences from Waseda University in 2011, her master’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of Arkansas in 2013, and her doctoral degree from the University of Connecticut in 2016. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Korey Stringer Institute (2016–2017) and worked at the Ritsumeikan University as an Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Sport Science (2018–2019).

Dr. Zachary Winkelmann is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Arnold School of Public Health at The University of South Carolina. Currently, Zachary is the Director of Clinical Education for the post-professional Athletic Training Program. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University in 2013 his master’s degree from Indiana State University in 2015, and his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction program with a concentration in Athletic Training Education from Indiana State in 2019. 

Dr. Winkelmann is a certified athletic trainer and researcher with 151 peer-reviewed publications and several national and international presentations focused on telemedicine, simulation-based learning, patient-centered care, and mental health.

Dr. Elizabeth Neil assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and the program direction of the professional masters and post-professional DAT. Dr. Neil completed her PhD in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in athletic training education at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. She additionally completed her post-professional master's in athletic training at ISU. Born and raised in Erie, PA, Dr. Neil stayed local to complete a bachelor of science in athletic training with an exercise science minor at Mercyhurst University.

Dr. Neil currently serves as a per diem athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Union Academy. She has received the Ethos Award for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service at Indiana State University and the Z. Mel Blickenstaff memorial doctoral student scholarship from the National Athletic Trainers' Association. She has spoken and presented research at the state, district and national levels. Her research interests lie in medical documentation and healthcare administration, clinical education, and educational advancements specifically focused on mental health initiatives.

Dr. Jeremy Howard joined the Florida Army National Guard in 2002 and is a veteran of Afghanistan (2009-2010) and served in Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia during 2021. He currently serves as the State’s Holistic Health & Fitness (H2F) Program’s Integrator and Chief of Training. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from Florida Gulf Coast University, and both a Masters of Health Science in Athletic Training and Educational Doctorate from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences. 

While he has worked in more traditional settings such as Collegiate Sports Medicine and Clinical work for Chiropractor, he has run State-level programs in health and wellness for the FLARNG since 2018. His military skillset is quite different than his civilian healthcare career. He is a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) holding the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 140A Air & Missile Defense Systems Integrator and graduate of the highly competitive Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) course, where he manages tactical data links (TDLs) and secure internet protocol operations to ensure exchange of tactical data across a theater of operations. 

During his last deployment in Iraq and Syria, he managed the exchange of Air Picture and tactical data for Central and North Iraq, as well as Eastern Syria, directly resulting in successful engagements during an enemy drone attack. His diligence and efforts in that deployment earned him a Bronze Star and selection as the 2021 Fires Center of Excellence Sage Award and the 2021 Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance’s U.S. Missile Defender of the Year award. 

Aside from the 40+ healthcare credentials he holds, he is also credentialed through CompTIA in A Plus, Network Plus, Security Plus, Information Technologies Operations Specialist, and Secure Infrastructure Specialist. Jeremy is currently serving as a volunteer leader on the NATA’s Armed Forces COPA Committee, NSCA’s Tactical Strength & Conditioning Special Interest Group, and the Florida State’s NSCA committee as the Tactical Representative. Jeremy has published two research papers and previously contributed to the NATA’s Blog and On-Demand Trainings.

Meredith Decker (she/her) is a Clinical Associate Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education in the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. She received her BS in Athletic Training from California University of Pennsylvania, MS in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University, and PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to her tenure at UT-Arlington, she was an Athletic Training Resident at Texas Health Sports Medicine, where she worked in the rehabilitation clinic and with TCU Athletics. Meredith’s research activities involve ACL reconstruction and osteoarthritis, concussion outcomes and LGBTQIA+ population health. Meredith currently serves as the District 6 representative to the NATA LGBTQ+ Committee, where she works on social media, Town Hall, and Safe Space Ally Training efforts. She resides in Fort Worth, Texas with her wife Halee and their son Arlo.

Dr. Jessica Wallace is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Science & Athletic Training Program at The University of Alabama. Dr. Wallace holds degrees in Athletic Training (University of Miami), Physical Education (Univ of Central Florida), Kinesiology (Michigan State University), and Public Health/Epidemiology (Harvard University), and her research foci centers around understanding concussion in the context of health disparity and health inequity. Her community-based participatory research approach aims to build relationships and close the disparity gap.

Dr. Jatin P. Ambegaonkar, Ph.D. AT OT CSCS FIADMS is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University.

He works with people to help them perform better, reduce their injury risk, and improve their overall health using research and evidence-based translational approaches that combine laboratory and community engagement.

Dr. Ambegaonkar is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Athletic Training, and is a reviewer for over 25 different professional journals. He serves as a board director for the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) and has chaired its Research Committee. He also serves on the Executive Board of the Hylton Performing Arts Center and chairs its Strategic Planning Committee.

Dr. Ambegaonkar is the founding co-director of the Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory, which focuses on injury prevention, neuromechanical assessment, concussions, and sports performance across the lifespan. He has published over 80 articles and given over 150 regional, national, and international conference presentations.

He is a co-editor of Research Methods in the Dance Sciences, a pioneering textbook in the Dance Medicine and Science field.

Dr. Ambegaonkar has secured over $ 6.4 million in funds over 30 different grants from multiple sponsors including federal, state, professional organizations, and local foundations e.g., National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Americans for the Arts (AFTA), Potomac Health Foundation (PHF) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in collaboration with faculty colleagues.

Professionally, Dr. Ambegaonkar is a Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength, and Conditioning Specialist, and Occupational Therapist

Dr. Safran is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Stanford University. He is also the Chief of the Division of Sports Medicine and Fellowship Director of Sports Medicine. Dr. Safran specializes in Sports Medicine and arthroscopic and ligament reconstructive surgery on the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. He is considered an expert of sports medicine problems of the hip, elbow, knee and shoulder.

He is a diplomat at the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and member of prestigious societies such as: The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), the ACL Study Group, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Society (ASES), the Herodicus Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Multicenter of Arthroscopic Hip Surgery Outcomes Research Network (MAHORN), the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network, and the Society of Tennis Medicine and Science (STMS) in addition to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Dr. Safran has served as President of the International Society of Hip Arthroscopy, the largest hip preservation society in the world, as well as currently serving as President of ISAKOS – the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine – the world’s largest orthopaedic sports medicine society with nearly 4,000 members from 93 countries.

Dr. Safran’s practice focuses on arthroscopic management of hip problems as well as knee articular cartilage regeneration and ligament surgery, shoulder surgery and athletic shoulder and elbow problems. He is actively involved in research in these areas.

Dr. Safran graduated from the University of California, Berkeley; Medical School was at Duke University; Internship and Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); and Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery Fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh. He also completed a 1 year research fellowship sponsored by the NIH.

He has served as a team physician for many collegiate teams since 1993, in addition to being actively involved with professional tennis most recently as the chief orthopaedic consultant for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and as a consultant for the NBA Players Association and NHL Players Association. Dr. Safran has cared for many athletes in all the major professional sports organizations, as well as the Olympics, with many of his patients winning Olympic medals in many disciplines.

Dr. Safran has authored or co-authored more than 200 scientific articles, 75 book chapters and seven books on sports medicine as it relates to the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip as well as tennis injuries and biomechanics cartilage research.

Prior to coming to Stanford in the Spring of 2007, Dr. Safran has been in different practices, including being the Chief of Sports Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he also served as a team physician for the University of California, Berkeley. He is on the editorial board of many journals, including the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery and the Journal of ISAKOS.

Dr. Safran prides himself on caring for his patients as he would his own family. He knows the importance of being active and, for the competitive athlete, getting back to sports as soon as safely possible.

Dr. Roosevelt G. Daniel is a board-certified internal medicine and pediatric specialist based in Rock Hill, South Carolina. A graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, he has over 20 years of experience providing primary and inpatient care. Dr. Daniel has extensive expertise in managing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, and is currently engaged in grant-supported education initiatives to raise awareness and improve understanding of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

Dr. Adam Annaccone joined the UT Arlington Athletic Training Program faculty as an Assistant Clinical Professor in January 2020 and directs the program's Standardized Patient Lab.

For over 18 years, he has worked in educational and clinical settings, serving as a Licensed Athletic Trainer, a Corrective Exercise Specialist and a Performance Enhancement Specialist. Additionally, he has extensive experience working as an independent contractor for several professional athletes, providing movement assessments and targeted neuromuscular manual therapy and corrective/performance exercise programs. In December, 2020, he was named to the Scientific Advisor Board for the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In 2018, he served as a consultant for the newly formed Sports Therapy Academic Program at Ono Academic College in Tel Aviv, Israel. Prior to moving to Texas in 2016, Dr. Annaccone spent three seasons with the NBA Phoenix Suns organization on their highly regarded sports medicine staff, serving as Performance & Recovery Specialist/ Assistant Athletic Trainer.

As a distinguished presenter, he has provided over 60 presentations, both nationally and internationally. In 2018 he served as Keynote Presenter for the first Sports Therapy Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel.

He is an active member of the profession of athletic training, serving on various local, regional and national athletic training committees; most recently as District 6 Representative for Texas and Arkansas for the NATA Government Affairs Committee, a member of the District 6 ATs Care Team and the Chair of the Task Force for Sports Science, Health and Data Analytics for the NATA. In 2013, he was recognized by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) with the NATA Young Professionals’ Committee National Distinction Award.

He received his doctoral degree from Indiana University of PA in 2017 in Administration and Leadership Studies, a Master’s degree from Clarion University in 2006 and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Anna Sedory, MS, ATC, CSCS serves as Director of Injury Care and Prevention for the Fairfax County Police Department. A licensed Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator, she holds additional certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Peer Support, Trauma-Informed Weightlifting, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Graston (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization), Blood Flow Restriction Training, and is a Modern Cupping Therapy Practitioner.“

Experienced Head Athletic Trainer with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Skilled in Concussions, Sports Performance Enhancement, Injury Prevention, Athletic Training, and Athletics. Strong community and social services professional with a Master's Degree focused in Athletic Training from University of South Florida College of Medicine.

Dr. Christy Collins joined the Datalys Center in June 2017. Previously, Dr. Collins served as a Biostatistician at the OhioHealth Research and Innovation Institute (OHRI). While at OHRI, Dr. Collins was actively involved in over 130 research studies in various stages from development to dissemination in a wide variety of clinical settings including: Sports Medicine, Podiatry, Medical Education, Heart and Vascular, Pulmonary/Critical Care, and Pharmacy, among other specialties. 

Prior to her work at OHRI, Dr. Collins worked as a researcher at the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. While at CIRP, she specifically focused on the epidemiology of sports, recreation, and leisure activity‐related injuries among children and adolescents and the life‐long health benefits associated with an active childhood. Dr. Collins has published extensively on the topic of sport injuries and has a strong connection to the Athletic Training community through her work with High School RIO. 

Dr. Collins earned her doctorate in Epidemiology with a minor in Biostatistics from the College of Public Health at The Ohio State University. Prior to her work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Collins received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology at Ohio Northern University and a Master of Arts in Sociology at the University of New Hampshire where she focused on social research in partner and family violence. 

Dr. Collins describes her interest in sports injury epidemiology as her passion and is excited to be a part of the sports injury community.

Dr. Cieslak completed his undergraduate degree at Kean University, majoring in athletic training, and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1995, graduating from Life University. He has been a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist since 1989. He is a graduate of the Primary Spine Practitioner course, a multi-disciplinary post-graduate program through the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.  He is licensed in New Jersey as both a Chiropractor and an Athletic Trainer. From 1997- 2022, he was employed at Teaneck High School, serving as the athletic trainer, in addition to having a practice of chiropractic in Bogota, NJ. He was also a preceptor for the Montclair State University athletic training education program. Currently, he works with Atlantic Health System, and is an adjunct clinical instructor in the athletic training graduate program at Seton Hall University. He is currently the Past-President of the Athletic Trainer’s Society of New Jersey. He also serves on the EATA Educationalist and Student Quiz Bowl Committees, as well as being an executive board member of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. 

Andy Grubbs, MEd, ATC joined the Hughston Foundation as Director of Athletic Training in June 2010. His primary responsibility is oversight of the 18 graduate assistant athletic trainers who provide medical care to the local area high schools and professional sports teams. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from Valdosta State University in 2001 and a master’s degree in education from Auburn University in 2003. Prior to coming to Hughston, Mr. Grubbs worked at South Effingham High School in Rincon, Georgia, and The University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama.

Frank A. Chernak is a partner in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department and Chair of the Labor and Employment Department.

In October 2019, The Philadelphia Business Journal selected Frank to its Best of the Bar: Philadelphia’s Top Lawyers list for Employment Litigation. In November 2023, Frank tried a traumatic brain injury case for two defendants in Suffolk County, Massachusetts to a successful result. The trial took 30 days with over 30 witnesses testifying, including 18 expert witnesses. In 2019, Frank tried cases to verdict in federal courts in Baltimore, Md. (a “Me Too” sexual harassment case), Philadelphia, Pa. (a criminal records class action trial), and Chicago, Ill. (a race, age, disability discrimination and retaliation case). Frank’s practice focuses on defending entities in personal injury matters (including traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases) and employers and municipalities in constitutional, Title VII, race discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation, reverse-gender and retaliation, age discrimination, national origin, hostile work environment, FMLA, and ADA cases. He also counsels and trains clients on all employment and civil rights matters, including compliance with ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and EEO laws, hiring and firing practices, harassment investigations, and non-compete litigation. He also trains lawyers on jury trial persuasion.

In March 2020, Frank was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

Frank received his J.D., cum laude, from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, his M.S. from the University of Arkansas, and his B.S. from the State University of New York at Cortland.

University of Georgia Senior Associate Athletic Director Ron Courson, long-time director of sports medicine, was promoted to Executive Associate Athletic Director in February, 2021.

Serving at UGA since 1995, Courson most recently helped navigate the Athletic Association, and especially the football program, through the nation-wide Pandemic serving and supporting the development of policy and protocols at the local, Southeastern Conference, and NCAA levels.
 
Prior to joining the UGA staff in 1995, Courson served as Director of Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama from 1991-1995 and Director of Rehabilitation with Samford University from 1989-1991. He received his undergraduate degree in education/physical education from Samford University, performed two years of graduate work at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and graduated with honors from the Medical College of Georgia with a degree in physical therapy. Courson is a national registered advanced emergency medical technician as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

During his career in sports medicine, Courson has also been involved in many athletic training activities including work as an athletic trainer with the U.S. Olympic Team at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea; 1990 Goodwill Games; 1987 World University Games, 1987 Pan American Games and the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. He served as the chief athletic trainer for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials as well as the chief athletic trainer for track and field for the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games (ACOG).

Courson is active in his profession, having served as the president of the SEC Sports Medicine Committee, chairman of the College and University Athletic Trainers' Committee of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and as a member of the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports committee. He is a past medical liaison to the American Football Coaches Association and serves currently on the NFL Health and Safety Committee and the USA Football Medical Advisory Board.

Ron received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award in 2005 from the National Athletic Trainers' Association and was inducted into the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2013. Most recently, Courson was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in January, 2018.
 
Courson serves as an adjunct instructor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Georgia, teaching in the nationally accredited athletic training education program. He is active in research and education in the field of sports medicine, having authored a textbook, "Athletic Training Emergency Care", a number of professional papers and text chapters and presents frequently at regional and national sports medicine meetings.

Courson is married to the former Eileen O'Connell of Waycross, Georgia. Ron and Eileen have four children, John, Anna, Luke, and Will.

Stanley A. Herring, MD, is senior medical advisor and co-founder of The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, Co- medical director for Orthopedic Health and Sports Medicine for UW Medicine, and co-medical director of the UW Medicine Sports Concussion Program.

Dr. Herring is one of the team physicians for the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners. His clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and non-operative management of neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, particularly focusing on spinal disorders in active people and athletes as well as sports-related concussions.  

Dr. Herring is a clinical professor in the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, and Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington, Seattle and holds the Zachery Lystedt  Sports Concussion Endowed Chair. His philosophy is to provide kind and compassionate care that focuses not only on the relief of pain and suffering, but also helps patients return to activities that give them quality of life.

Education and Training
UW - Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine - Residency, 1982, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Univ. of Texas Southwestern - Medical Education, 1979
UW - Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine - Teaching Appointment

Board Certifications
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 1983, American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehab

Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC began in UNC Chapel Hill's Department of Exercise and Sports Science in July 1995, and was appointed Department Chair in July 2005. Dr. Guskiewicz heads the sport concussion program at UNC, while also serving as the Director of the Sports Medicine Research Laboratory and Research Director for the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes. His teaching responsibilities include Cadaver Anatomy, Therapeutic Modalities, Human Anatomy, and Research Methods & Statistics in Sports Medicine.

Dr. Guskiewicz’s research is focused on the assessment of sport-related concussion and the long-term effects of concussion. He has been the recipient of over 15 funded research grants on this topic, and has published over 45 journal articles and five textbook chapters related to concussion in sport. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Athletic Training, and is on the editorial boards of two other journals. Kevin was the recipient of the 1997 Kenneth Knight Outstanding Research Manuscript for the Journal of Athletic Training, the recipient of the 1999 NATA-REF New Investigator Award for Athletic Training Research, and the 2006 Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research. He was awarded Fellowship in American College of Sports Medicine in May 2003, and was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education in September 2006. He and his wife Amy have four children: Jacob, Nathan, Adam, and Tessa.

Nicholas E. Grahovec is an athletic trainer working in higher education as an Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology from Augustana College, Master of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of Findlay, and his PhD in Health Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Nicholas was previously a Clinical Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University and, prior to that, the Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer at Benedictine University. He has been an athletic trainer in a variety of other clinical settings, including junior college, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and youth sports. He currently serves on the NATA Foundation Scholarship Committee, GLATA Education Committee, IATA Education Committee Chair, and is currently the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Vice President. His current research interests include athletic training intervention effectiveness, athletic training pedagogy, and the esports athlete.

Nicholas resides in Illinois with his wife Amanda and four girls, Audrey, Adalyn, Abigail, and Arianna.

Tyler Wood, PhD, ATC is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education at Northern Illinois University. 

Teaching Philosophy
When teaching, I approach each setting with three core principles: (1) Promoting diversity, equity, and
inclusion creates a safe space of authentic learning; (2) innovative teaching leads to inspiration; (3)
acquired knowledge will provide immediate and future success. With these principles guiding my
pedagogical practice, I take great responsibility in working with and mentoring my students to help them learn and succeed.

Research Agenda
My research agenda consists of two broad areas: (1) understanding human movement and impairment
with an emphasis on rehabilitation and (2) implementing creative educational techniques to enhance the athletic training students’ education. I am committed to interdisciplinary collaborations to promote the science and practice of movement rehabilitation and facilitate athletic training education.

Matt Mills, EdD, ATC, CHSE, is an Assistant Professor and Pre-Professional Athletic Training Program Director at Springfield College. He specializes in interprofessional education, simulation, and athletic training education, utilizing advanced educational technologies to enhance student learning. 

Dr. Mills' research focuses on simulation's impact on self-efficacy and anxiety in healthcare students, with numerous publications and presentations at national conferences. He has a strong background in athletic training clinical education and healthcare simulation, holding certifications in simulation education and athletic training. Dr. Mills is dedicated to mentoring future professionals and advancing innovative teaching practices in athletic training education.

Dr. Helma currently serves as a clinician at University of Western States. He has organized and provided care for numerous mass participation events to include marathon, triathlons, volleyball, lacrosse, wrestling, ski and snowboard. He has served as a high school sideline physician for over 30 years. He has also chaired the Florida High School Athletic Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

Jacob Resch is originally from Spirit Lake, Iowa. Resch completed his undergraduate degrees in athletic training and health promotions as well as his M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science at South Dakota State University. Resch then pursued his doctorate in exercise science at the University of Georgia where he investigated clinical measures of sport related concussion and became involved with the global efforts to expand the profession of athletic training.

Resch then joined the faculty of the University of Texas at Arlington for four years where he taught within the athletic training education program and conducted research addressing sport related concussion in middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes. In 2014, Resch joined the faculty at the University of Virginia's Department of Kinesiology where he continues to investigate clinical measures and recovery from sport related concussion and teaches withing the Kinesiology major and graduate athletic training and sports medicine programs.

The focus of Resch's research is to investigate the measurement properties of current and novel clinical measures of sport related concussion in athletes at all levels of sport as well as military personnel. Resch's previous studies have addressed the measurement properties of neurocognitive, balance and symptom measures in young and adult athletes. Resch is currently investigating novel biosignals inclusive of advanced neuroimaging, biofluids, and wearables that may provide insight into more efficient and cost-effective measures of sport related concussion to identify a sensitive clinical measure that aligns clinical and physiological recovery. Resch is also an active member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

Catherine (Cat) Donahue, PhD, ATC,  graduated with her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia (UVA) in 2023 and is now a post-doctoral research fellow in the Department of Orthopedics with a research focus on sports concussions. Prior to her PhD at the University of Virginia, she completed her Masters in 2016 also at UVA, and her Bachelors at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2012.  

Dr. Donahue brings over 10 years of research and clinical experience as a certified athletic trainer, working in a variety of settings including athletics, military, and performing arts. Her research focuses on the sequelae of sports concussions, specifically the role of sleep and sleep-related factors. Outside of the lab, she enjoys paddleboarding, snowboarding, and spending time with her golden retriever, Goose.

Suzanne M. Konz, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, is a Professor of Biomechanics and currently serves as the Biomechanics Program Director for the School of Kinesiology at Marshall University. A native of Iowa, Dr. Konz received a Ph.D. in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University – Bloomington, and a Bachelor of Science from Iowa Wesleyan College. 

Suzanne has worked as a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist in clinical, high school, collegiate, and professional athletic settings for over 25 years. Suzanne was appointed the chair of the NATA’s Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) in 2019 having served as COPE member for nine previous years. She also serves as the WVATA’s Governmental Affairs Committee chair assisting the WVATA in advocating for athlete health and safety in the State of West Virginia. 

Her research interests include concussion, sports performance as it relates to injury risk and prevention, hammer throw technique, and equipment reliability. Dr. Konz’s concussion research surrounds low load, high-frequency activities and the effect on brain health. The concussion research group was awarded a NASA Director’s Discretionary Grant. 

She is involved with USA Track & Field as a member of the Sports Science Biomechanics group, specializing in the throwing events and is specifically assigned to hammer throw. She has worked with this group assisting Olympic caliber athletes improve performance since 2003. The USATF Sport Science group uses the latest technology to provide instant feedback as well as 3-D analysis of technique kinematics and kinetics. Dr. Konz was awarded the C. Harmon Brown award in 2019 by USATF to acknowledge the benefit her work has contributed to the athletes and coaches of USATF at the national level. Suzanne also has worked the NFL Combine performing isokinetic testing on NFL prospects since 2009.

Mr. Rupp earned his Associates degree in Movement Learning and Exercise Science from Orange County Community College (Middletown NY), his Bachelor of Science om Movement Studies and Exercise Science with a concentration in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from East Stroudsburg University (East Stroudsburg PA), and his Masters of Science in Physical Education from Syracuse University (Syracuse NY). 

He has been an athletic trainer at Oakton High School since August of 2000. Prior to working at Oakton HS, he worked for 41/2 years at St. John’s University as an Assistant Athletic Trainer, and 2 years as a Graduate Athletic Trainer at Syracuse University. In his time along with working at Oakton HS, he has served as the VATA Secondary School Committee Chairperson (2001-2008), Virginia High School League(VHSL) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee member (2001-2008 & 2014- present), VHSL Wrestling Rules Committee member (2014-present), VATA Governmental Affairs Committee member (2018-present), and the MAATA representative to the NATA Committee of Professional Ethics (2018-present), and will be the next chair of the NATA COPE. He has been a preceptor for George Mason University, George Washington University, and Shenandoah University. He has worked with Virginia Youth Soccer Association’s Olympic development program, and the Iroquois National lacrosse teams. 

He has presented at the NATA National symposium, the MAATA Annual symposium and the VATA Annual Symposium, and has given presentations at Shenandoah University, and Big Sky Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Conference, and The Academy for Sports Dentistry Conference. In 2011 he was awarded the Vito Parriello Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year, and in 2022 he was inducted into the VATA Hall of Fame.

Andrea Dosedla, MS, CEAS, LAT has been an athletic trainer within the industrial setting since 2015; working in various environments including manufacturing, distribution, utility and construction. Working within OSHA standards of first aid and providing ongoing ergonomic evaluations as a part of the program, Andrea works to maintain a healthy workforce and thrives in working with active populations. Prior to industrial, she worked in orthopedic, sports medicine, physical therapy and NCAA settings.

Andrea also owns MKE Injury & Recovery, LLC where she provides certified IASTM, kinesiotape, and cupping services.

Andrea received her bachelors of science in kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a masters of science in Athletic Training from West Virginia University.