May 20, 2026
DAT Life Moments | Aaron J.
When I reflect on my time as a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) student at A.T. Still University (ATSU), I know it is an experience I will never forget. I started this program in 2023, pursuing further education and wanting to excel, but I had no idea just how much it would actually help me achieve those goals.
Over the course of the program, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from incredible faculty and peers who have completely reshaped and retooled the way I practice clinically. It has been a truly life-changing experience. Attending the Winter Institute in Mesa, Arizona was a definitive highlight. Sitting down face-to-face with classmates and professors to discuss the topics that will shape the future of our profession was incredibly eye-opening.
As I look toward the future after graduation, what I look forward to most is impacting students, not just athletic training students, but students as a whole. There is an immense amount of pressure put on modern students. As professors and mentors, it is our job to help them navigate that pressure, grasp new concepts, and ultimately grow as both future clinicians and people.
I want my legacy after completing this program to be one of impact, sustainability, and life change. Our job as athletic trainers and educators isn’t just to teach information; it is to help individuals become better people, better for their families, better for their friends, and better for the world we live in. As I close this chapter of my educational journey, I am incredibly excited for what’s to come, and I expect it will be one of the greatest chapters of my life.