Athletic Training faculty garner national awards

Tamara McLeod, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, associate professor, interdisciplinary health sciences, has been named a 2011 National Athletic Training Association (NATA) Fellow and is also the recipient of the Arizona Athletic Training Association (AzATA) 2011 Warren H. Lee Certified Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.

The NATA Fellows program recognizes professional achievement in research and/or education, combined with service to the profession. Only the most accomplished scholars in the athletic training profession earn this distinction and are allowed to use the prestigious designation of FNATA.

“Dr. McLeod is highly deserving of her recent distinction as a Fellow of the NATA,” said Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, FNATA, associate professor and chair, interdisciplinary health sciences. “She is highly regarded as an international expert on pediatric sport-related concussion, and her research contributions and service activities have significantly advanced sports medicine in this area.”

The AzATA Warren H. Lee Certified Athletic Trainer of the Year Award is the second highest honor bestowed by the association, and is named after the long-time certified athletic trainer at the University of Arizona, a pioneer in the profession.  Dr. McLeod works with dozens of local schools, athletic teams, and policy bodies to implement appropriate sport concussion diagnosis and management practices to keep children safe. Dr. Sauers noted that it was largely Dr. McLeod’s community engagement and education regarding sport concussion that earned her the prestigious award.

John Parsons, Ph.D., ATC, AT, assistant professor, interdisciplinary health sciences and director, athletic training, has been named the 2011 NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award (ATSA) winner. The ATSA recognizes NATA members for their contributions to the athletic training profession as a volunteer at the local, state, and district levels. ATSA recipients have been involved in professional associations, community organizations, grassroots public relations efforts and service as a volunteer athletic trainer. “Dr. Parsons has worked tirelessly at every level of engagement for over 15 years and deserves this national recognition for the quality and quantity of service to the athletic training profession,” said Dr. Sauers.

Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, FNATA, chair, interdisciplinary health sciences, and Alison Snyder Valier, Ph.D., ATC, associate professor, interdisciplinary health  sciences, and assistant director of research support, office of research, grants, and information technology systems, were recognized with the 2011 AzATA President’s Award. This award recognizes exemplary service on behalf of the association and/or the profession of athletic training. Drs. Sauers and Valier are recognized for their tireless efforts in support of association legislative and governmental affairs activities.

“This has been an outstanding year of recognition for the ATSU Athletic Training program faculty,” said Dr. Sauers. Our faculty continues to model professional engagement and service at the highest levels and is being recognized locally and nationally for their service leadership.”