Awards Each year, the NATA Foundation recognizes those that excel in the areas of research and those that lead the way in service to the NATA Foundation and the AT profession. Research AwardsService Awards The Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, The Dr. Freddie & Mrs. Hilda Pang Fu New Investigator Research Award and The David H. Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Research Award are presented annually to deserving researchers among the NATA membership. Research Awards Eligibility Criteria. Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research The NATA Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research recognizes an established researcher who has sustained a prolific body of work that has contributed to research in the field of athletic training and health care. 2023 Award Recipient: Tamara C. Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, FNAK Dr. Tamara Valovich McLeod is the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training, Professor of Athletic Training, Research Professor in the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and the John P. Wood, D.O., Endowed Chair for Sports Medicine at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. McLeod completed her bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Mercyhurst University, her master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Colorado, and her doctor of philosophy degree in education with an emphasis in sports medicine from the University of Virginia. She was the founding director of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network and her research has focused on pediatric sport-related concussion and youth sports safety. Her primary research line investigates academic outcomes and health-related quality of life following concussion. Dr. McLeod’s research has provided some of the first evidence that concussion affects patients beyond physical functioning, impacting emotional, social, and school functioning, addressing important gaps in our understanding of pediatric sport-related concussion. Her focus on the patient perspective has elevated the management and care of pediatric patients following concussion, ensuring that clinicians provide whole person, patient-centered healthcare to optimize outcomes. Dr. McLeod was a contributing author for the 2004 and 2014 NATA Position Statements on the Management of Sport-Related Concussion, the lead author on the NATA Position Statement on the Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries, and a consultant and contributing author on the Appropriate Medical Coverage for Secondary School-Aged Athletes and Appropriate Medical Care Standards. She is heavily involved in professional service with the Arizona Interscholastic Association, NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee, Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona, Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society (PRiSM), the Journal of Athletic Training, and the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. Dr. McLeod has been recognized with the PRiSM National Achievement Award for Athletic Training and was inducted as a fellow of the NATA in 2011, the National Academy of Kinesiology in 2022, and will be inducted into the National Academies of Practice – Athletic Training as a Distinguished Scholar Fellow in 2023. Outside of work, Dr. McLeod is an avid runner and hiker hitting the trails in the many mountain preserves near Phoenix. She enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband Ian, children, Allister and Kalyn, and labradoodle Skye. Past Winners 2022 Steven Broglio, PhD, ATC 2021 - Due to COVID-19 constraints, at the discretion of the committee, awardees were not announced. 2020 Phillip Gribble, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2019 Gary Wilkerson, EdD, ATC, FNATA 2018 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2017 Darin A. Padua, PhD, ATC 2016 Thomas William Kaminski, PhD, ATC, FNATA, FACSM 2015 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2014 Sandra J. Shultz, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2013 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2012 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2011 Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC2010 Thomas Weidner, PhD, ATC 2010 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2009 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2008 Doug Casa, PhD, ATC 2007 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2006 Kevin Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC 2005 Christopher D. Ingersoll, PhD, ATC 2004 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2003 Craig R. Denegar, PhD, ATC, PT 2002 Scott M. Lephart, PhD, ATC 2001 David O. Draper, EdD, ATC 2000 John W. Powell, PhD, ATC 1999 David H. Perrin, PhD, ATC 1998 Louis R. Osternig, PhD, ATC 1997 Kenneth L. Knight, PhD, ATC The Dr. Freddie & Mrs. Hilda Pang Fu New Investigator Award The Dr. Freddie & Mrs. Hilda Pang Fu New Investigator Award (formerly named The New Investigator Award), recognizes a researcher who is likely to continue to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge in athletic training and health care. 2023 Award Recipient: Neal Glaviano, PhD, ATC Dr. Neal Glaviano is an Assistant Professor and co-director of the Sport Optimization and Rehabilitation Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut. He is also a member of the University of Connecticut Institute for Sports Medicine. Dr. Glaviano received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut and then a Masters in Education degree in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia. Dr. Glaviano worked clinically for four years in a private physical therapy clinic and high school in Connecticut before returning to the University of Virginia, where he completed his doctoral studies in Sports Medicine in 2016. He served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo for four years before returning to the University of Connecticut in 2020. Dr. Glaviano’s research interest is centered on improving the long-term negative consequences experiences by individuals with patellofemoral pain, with an emphasis on developing successful interventions to improve patient outcomes. The NATA Foundation is grateful for the endowment established honoring Dr. Freddie & Mrs. Hilda Pang Fu. Read more about the Fu’s endowment and legacy here. Past Winners 2022 Lindsey K. Lepley, PhD, ATC 2021 - Due to COVID-19 constraints, at the discretion of the committee, awardees were not announced. 2020 Dustin Grooms, PhD, ATC, CSCS 2019 David Howell, PhD, ATC 2018 Johna K. Register-Mihalik, PhD, LAT, AT 2017 David R. Bell, PhD, ATC 2016 Jeffrey Driban, PhD, ATC 2015 Brian Pietrosimone, PhD, ATC 2014 Joseph M. Hart, PhD, ATC 2013 Timothy Butterfield, PhD, ATC 2012 Patrick McKeon, PhD, ATC 2011 Steven P. Broglio, PhD, ATC 2010 At the discretion of the committee, this was not awarded 2009 Troy Blackburn, PhD, ATC 2008 Tricia J. Hubbard, PhD, ATC, LAT 2007 Riann M. Palmieri-Smith, PhD, ATC 2006 Darin A. Padua, PhD, ATC 2005 Joseph B. Myers, PhD, ATC 2004 J. Ty Hopkins, PhD, ATC 2003 Sandra J. Shultz, PhD, ATC, CSCS 2002 Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC 2001 Douglas V. Casa, PhD, ATC 2000 Mitchell L. Cordova, PhD, ATC 1999 Kevin Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC 1998 Scott M. Lephart, PhD, ATC The David H. Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Award The David H. Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Award recognizes outstanding doctoral student research in athletic training and health care. 2023 Award Recipient: Allyssa Memmini, PhD, LAT, ATC Dr. Allyssa Memmini earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015, followed by a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Kentucky in 2018. She then completed her Ph.D. in Movement Science at the University of Michigan in 2022, where she served as a graduate research assistant in the Concussion Center under the guidance of Dr. Steven Broglio. Dr. Memmini is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. Her work focuses on improving communication pathways between medical and academic teams in higher education to support students returning to learn after sustaining a concussion. In addition, she is interested in understanding how the intersection of student identity (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, first-generation status, etc.) influences the likelihood of seeking academic supports following a concussion. Ultimately, she hopes her work will influence both medical and academic disciplines to ensure all students feel supported as they transition back to their coursework. The NATA Foundation is grateful for the endowment established honoring David H. Perrin, PhD, ATC. Read more about the David H. Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Award Endowment here. Past Winners 2022 Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, PhD, LAT, ATC 2021 - Due to COVID-19 constraints, at the discretion of the committee, awardees were not announced. 2020 Breton Asken, PhD, ATC 2019 Matthew Harkey, PhD, ATC 2018 Mark Feger, PhD, ATC 2017 Luke T. Donovan, PhD, ATC 2016 Lindsey K. Lepley, PhD, ATC 2015 David Howell, PhD, ATC 2014 Timothy Tourville, PhD, ATC, CSCS 2013 Dorice Hankemeier, PhD, ATC 2012 Lindsay DiStefano, PhD, ATC 2011 Jason Peter Mihalik, PhD, CAT(C), ATC 2010 Erik Wikstrom, PhD, ATC 2009 Patrick McKeon, PhD, ATC 2008 Christopher Mendias, PhD, ATC 2007 J. Troy Blackburn, PhD, ATC 2006 Timothy A. Butterfield, PhD, ATC 2005 Riann M. Palmieri, PhD, ATC The NATA Research & Education Foundation Board of Directors recognizes those representative of advancing the athletic training profession through the Foundation’s mission, efforts and initiatives. The awards currently include: the Lifetime Contribution Award; the Rachael Oats Leadership Award (formerly the President’s Award); the Volunteer Service Award; and the Impact Service Award (formerly the New Initiative Award). Lifetime Contribution Award Awarded for an individual’s sustained exemplary support and contribution to the advancement of the NATA Research & Education Foundation. 2022 Award Recipient: Cynthia Trowbridge, PhD, LAT, ATC Across 3 decades, Cindy has donated her time, talents and treasure to advance the NATA Research & Education Foundation. She has served on the Foundation Board of Directors as District 6 Chair, VP External Affairs, VP District Relations, and VP of Development. She has also served on the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee and as the Scholarship Committee Chair. Cindy continues to be instrumental in educating others of the Foundation’s mission and impact through presentations to her students and during local and district meetings. In addition, she has played a vital role in developing successful revenue-generating events for the Foundation at the local, district and national levels. As a past Foundation scholarship recipient, Cindy made it her personal mission to “repay” that scholarship dollar amount. She has successfully met that personal challenge many times over as an original member of the Circle of Champions, Shoebox Society, and the AT Loyal Giving Society at the Legacy level. Previous Awardees 2022 Cynthia Trowbridge, PhD, LAT, ATC 2021 Jack Weakley 2020 Robert Kersey, PhD, ATC 2019 Marjorie Albohm, MS, AT-Retired 2018 R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS 2017 William H. Bill Chambers, AT, RET 2016 Steve Bair, AT, RET 2015 Dave Perrin, PhD, ATC, FNATA, FACSM 2014 Chris Ingersoll, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2013 Clint Thompson, MA, ATC 2012 Charlie Redmond, ATC, PT, LAT 2011 Mike Wilkinson, MS, ATC 2010 Ronnie Barnes, ATC 2009 Michael R. Sitler, EdD, ATC Rachael Oats Leadership Award The Foundation’s “President’s Award” was renamed in 2020 to honor the legacy of the Foundation’s former Director, Rachael Oats – this award allows the President of the NATA Research & Education Foundation to recognize those representative of Rachael’s exemplary characteristics of leadership, selflessness, commitment, and loyalty to the NATA Foundation, its volunteers and its donors. 2022 Award Recipient: Brian Conway, LAT, ATC Brian served on the Foundation Board of Directors for 10 years as District 6 Chair, Vice President of Finance, and President. Through his leadership, the Foundation developed and implemented responsible fiscal policies and established a reserve fund to ensure that the organization could weather difficult financial times. These actions were extremely timely and positioned the Foundation to endure the fiscal challenges of the COVID pandemic. Brian’s years of service and his impact on the Foundation have been transformative and demonstrate outstanding leadership, selflessness, commitment, and loyalty to the NATA Foundation, its volunteers and its donors. Previous Awardees 2022 Brian Conway, LAT, ATC 2021 The Strategic Alliance AT Research Agenda Task Force: Jennifer Earl-Boehm, PhD, ATC, FNATA; Tracey Covassin, PhD, ATC, FNATA; Lindsey Eberman, PhD, ATC; R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS; Esther Nolton, PhD, ATC; Kelvin Phan, MSEd, ATC, PES; Stacy Walker, PhD, ATC, FNATA; Leigh Weiss, DPT, MS, ATC; Alison Snyder Valier, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2020 Richard Ray, EdD, ATC 2019 Rachael Oats 2018 (2 recipients): Rollin Mallernee and Skylar Gorman 2017 Jack Weakley 2016 Charlie Redmond, AT, RET 2015 Jim Thornton, MS, ATC, PES 2014 Mark Hoffman, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2013 Eve Becker-Doyle 2012 Patsy Brown Volunteer Service Award Awarded to an individual for their exemplary volunteer service advancing the NATA Research & Education Foundation. 2022 Award Recipient: Mark Knoblauch, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS Mark is recognized for his exemplary volunteer service advancing the NATA Research & Education Foundation. He has served the Foundation many years in capacities including District 6 Ambassador, and Chair of the Student Writing Contest Committee. Mark is also serving as the Co-Lead of the Foundation’s Development Task Force, engaging with students and young professionals throughout the NATA membership, educating them of the Foundation’s mission, programs, and impact.Previous Awardees 2022 Mark Knoblauch, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS 2021 Alison Snyder Valier, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2020 Jennifer Earl-Boehm, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2019 Thomas Woods, MEd, MS, ATC 2018 Tom Abdenour, DHSc, ATC, CES 2017 J. Ty Hopkins, PhD, ATC 2016 Pattie M. Tripp, PhD, ATC, LAT, CSCS 2015 Jill Manners MS, ATC, PT 2014 MaryBeth Horodyski, PhD, ATC, FNATA 2013 Bob Casmus, MS, ATC, LAT 2012 Joseph Lueken, MS, ATC, LAT 2011 R. T. Floyd, EdD, ATC 2010 Stephen E. Bair, MEd, ATC 2009 Michael Pruitt, MS, ATC, LAT and Timothy L. Uhl, PhD, ATC, PT Impact Service Award Awarded to an individual for their exemplary grass roots initiatives which provided significant advancement of the NATA Research & Education Foundation. 2022 Award Recipient: Kathryn LaLonde, MS, ATC Kathryn is recognized for her efforts contributing to the increased impact of the Foundation’s mission, programs, and initiatives. Her efforts have included: coordinating and collaborating with all Foundation programmatic committees; developing and managing creative social media campaigns, resulting in increased public awareness and support; and successfully transitioning the Foundation’s annual silent auction to a virtual-only format, resulting in raising significant funds. Previous Awardees 2022 Kathryn LaLonde, MS, ATC 2021 Jeff Konin, PhD, PT, FNATA; Randy Cohen, ATC, DPT; Chuck Kimmel, AT Retired 2019 Katie Scott, MS, ATC 2018 Carolyn Peters, MA, ATC, CSCS 2009 Sara D. Brown, MS, ATC and Gail Samdperil, MAT, ATC About Us Board of Directors Committees Awards Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion News Education Educational Resources Research to Clinical Practice About the ERC Faculty Mentor Program FAQ’s Scholarships Current Scholarship Endowments Scholarship Awardees How to Apply Student Writing Contest Research Athletic Training Research Agenda Research CARES #ATsKnowWhy Social Media Campaign Free Communications Program Free Communications Awards Pronouncements Position Statements Research Grants Grant Priorities Current Research Endowments Research Grant Awardees Summary & Impact Reports Grant Writing Workshop Distinguished Scholar Lecture Exchange The AT Profession AT Education Position Statements AT Strategic Alliance AT Glossary Support Ways To Give Donate Now Automatic Recurring Gifts Gifts of Stocks and Bonds Donor Giving Societies Special Events and Campaigns Scholarship Sponsorship Research Grant Sponsorship