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Jon Almquist, VATL, ATC

Almquist serves as the Athletic Training Program Administrator for Fairfax County Public Schools, overseeing 25 high school athletic training programs. Each high school employs two certified athletic trainers who collectively care for 25,000 student athletes annually. He is former Chair of the NATA Secondary School Athletic Trainers Committee, Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School Age Athlete Task Force and writing team. Almquist currently serves as Chair of the Athletic Training Advisory Board with Virginia's Board of Medicine and is a member of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the Virginia High School League. He has been involved in concussion management research
projects for over 10 years using sideline assessment tools and neuropsychological testing batteries.

Julian E. Bailes, M.D. is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine. He was a football player for 10 years, and has a long standing interest in neurological sports medicine, having been a sideline physician at either the NFL or NCAA Division I levels for the last twenty years. He is the Chairman of Sports Medicine representing organized neurosurgery for the U.S. and Canada in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Since 1994, he has been the neurological consultant to the NFL Players’ Association concerning the health of NFL retirees. In 2000, he established and became the Medical Director of the Center for Study of Retired Athletes, which is located at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, along with Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, Center Director.

Dr. Bailes’ interests include cerebrovascular disease and surgery, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. His research laboratory has conducted hundreds of experiments concerning brain injury, concussion, ischemia, and hypothermia. He is a founder of the Brain Injury Research Institute, which is affiliated with the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. Working with Bennet Omalu, M.D., examination through brain autopsy has been performed in many modern athletes, documenting and classifying the syndrome of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. In 2009, he was called to testify to Congress to the House Judiciary Committee investigating brain injuries in the NFL. He was recently appointed to the active NFL Players’ Concussion and TBI Committee.

Dr. Bailes maintains a busy neurosurgical practice, is in charge of the neurological service of a busy Level I trauma center, and oversees the neurosurgical residency training program. He is the Editor for Sports and Rehabilitation for the journal Neurosurgery. Dr. Bailes has authored over 100 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals concerning various aspects of his research, in addition to numerous books including Sports Related Concussion, Neurological Sports Medicine, and When Winning Costs Too Much: Steroids, Supplements, and Scandal in Sports. Since 2001, he has been selected as “America’s Best Doctors” and since 2005 “America’s Top Surgeons”.

Dr. Bennett is an assistant professor of orthopaedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chief of sports medicine in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He is also the head team orthopaedic surgeon for the University of Maryland at College Park.
Dr. Bennett specializes in treating knee, shoulder and ankle injuries, and complex reconstructive surgery -- particularly on the knee, such as anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions, cartilage surgery, meniscus transplantation, knee osteotomies and partial knee replacements.
Dr. Bennett previously served on the staff of the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh where his roles included being an associate team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers and head team physician for the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team.
He received his medical degree from the University of California at San Francisco and completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at Emory University and a knee and shoulder surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Dr. David L. Black earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola College in Baltimore and doctorate degree in Legal Medicine (Forensic Toxicology) from the University of Maryland at Baltimore (1982). Dr. Black is a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (DABFT), Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (DABCC), and is a Certified Professional Chemist by the American Institute of Chemists (CPC/AIC). Dr. Black was Toxicology Department Head and Director of Toxicology for Maryland Medical Laboratory, Inc. from 1982-1986. He joined Vanderbilt University in 1986 as Assistant Professor with appointments on Pathology and Pharmacology.

In 1990 Dr. Black founded Aegis Sciences Corporation where he serves as Chairman, President and Laboratory Director. Aegis is a forensic chemical and drug-testing laboratory specializing in Zero-Tolerance Drug Testing (proprietary process), employee drug testing, professional and amateur athlete drug testing and post-mortem evaluations. Dr. Black served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam prior to attending college. Personal interests include church and community activities, Rotary International (Past President of Hendersonville Rotary Club), and medical missions to Guatemala. Dr. Black lives in Gallatin, TN with his wife Diane and has three adult children and two grandchildren.

Boersma came to Bowling Green State University in August of 2003 and oversees the medical needs of 18 varsity sports, after serving as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Notre Dame since August 1999. He is assisted by 3 other full-time staff members, 5 graduate assistant athletic trainers, and 35 athletic training students that are in the BGSU undergrad curriculum program.

At Notre Dame, Boersma worked closely with the Irish football program and oversaw the day-to-day athletic training needs of the men's ice hockey program as well as men's soccer and lacrosse teams during his four years at UND. He also gained experience as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Kentucky and as an athletic training student at Purdue University. He earned his degree in athletic training from Purdue in 1997, and earned his master's degree in health promotion from Kentucky in 1999.

Boersma was named the Director of Sports Medicine at BGSU in July of 2005. His involvements on the campus of BGSU include; AED Policy Committee Member, AED Oversight/Crisis Committee Member, Information Security Compliance Committee Member, Blood Borne Pathogen committee member and Athletic Department Drug Testing Site Coordinator. Doug also serves as the Mid-American Conference- Sports Medicine Association Continuing Education Coordinator. The Highland, Indiana native and his wife, Cari, were married in the summer of 2000 and have two daughters, McKenna (Dec. 2002) and Ashlyn (Jan. 2005).

Michael (Micky) Collins, Ph.D., a nationally renowned sports concussion clinician and researcher, joined the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program as assistant director when the program was established in September, 2000, under the direction of Dr. Mark Lovell. In 1999, Dr. Collins was the author of two major multi-site studies involving the effects of concussion and return-to-play evaluation methods. These studies were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Dr. Collins continues to administer and oversee clinical programs for concussion management for sports teams at several major colleges, universities, and high schools throughout the country.

He is a clinical consultant to Major League Baseball, the New Zealand Rugby Union, and to several amateur and professional sports organizations both nationally and internationally. Dr. Collins is a co-developer of ImPACT, a computerized neuropsychological testing system that evaluates the severity of concussion in athletes and provides a more accurate determination of when an athlete can safely return to sports following a concussion. Dr. Collins received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology at the University of Southern Maine in 1991, his master’s degree in psychology at Michigan State University in 1995, and his doctorate degree in clinical psychology at Michigan State in 1998.

He subsequently completed a clinical neuropsychology internship at the University of Florida and a neuropsychology residency at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. He has published numerous articles in sports medicine and other medical journals and is a frequently invited presenter on the topic of sports concussions at national and international meetings. He has co-authored a sports concussion textbook and is a reviewer for JAMA. A two-year winner of the New England Pepsi-Cola Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award, Dr. Collins played for the University of Southern Maine in the 1989 NCAA Baseball College World Series.

Lani Deibert, DMD is the Dental Director for Community Health Partners Dental Practice and oversees dental clinics in Bozeman and Livingston, Montana. She graduated from Oregon Health Science University School of Dentistry in 2006. Prior to moving to Montana, Dr. Deibert served as the Chief Dental Officer at the Dirne Dental Clinic in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Dr. Deibert is affiliated with the National Health Service Corps, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Lani was a Division I track and field athlete at the University of Nebraska before pursuing a career in health care. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Lani now fills her free time backcountry skiing and mountain biking with her husband and yellow lab.

Dr. Del Rossi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at the University of South Florida where he teaches in the Athletic Training Education Program. Dr. Del Rossi has been a certified athletic trainer for 11 years and his personal research interests lie in the area of emergency medicine. In fact, much of his research has focused on the management of cervical spine injuries and he has authored several papers on the safety of various procedures and techniques used for transferring spine-injured patients.

Randy Dick is a Fellow and Board of Trustee with the American College of Sports Medicine and worked for twenty years with the NCAA managing its sports medicine and injury prevention programs including the development and application of two generations the NCAA Injury Surveillance System. He recently was an invited speaker at the Third International Conference on Concussion in Sport and has organized Health and Safety Sports Consultants, LLC as a consulting business. He recently began a new career option with Eli Lilly in Indianapolis where he will be developing applications for large electronic health records.

Melisa Fazio is in her third year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Colorado. She works primarily with women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s ski teams. Prior to joining the University of Colorado staff, Melisa worked at Howard Head Sports Medicine in Vail, Colorado, and with the US Women’s Alpine Ski Team. Melisa earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2004 in Kinesiology and Athletic Training. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 2006 in Kinesiology and Health Promotion/Athletic Training.

Kelly is an alumni of Salisbury University’s (Maryland) Athletic Training Program and Physical Education Teacher Certification programs. Kelly came to Fairfax County Public Schools after completing her Masters degree in Education at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania in 2003. She has been serving as the Head Athletic Trainer for WT Woodson High School and it’s many athletes since 2003.

Brett is the Full Time Athletic Trainer at Fairfax High School in his 6th year. Brett has professional sports experience working as a season intern with the New York Jets. He received his Masters of Science from Middle Tennessee State University in 2002, and graduated from West Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 2000.

MIKE JONES, MAE,ATC/L, NREMTI

Mike Jones, assistant athletic director for Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer, is in his ninth year at UAB and seventh in charge of the Sports Medicine Department. Jones oversees the athletic training department for UAB’s 16 varsity sports and is the head athletic trainer for the football squad. Jones was an associate athletic trainer at the UAB Sports Medicine Clinic from 1999-2000 and a staff athletic trainer at the University of Cincinnati from 1998-1999. He was an athletic trainer for the Bearcat football, swimming and diving teams.

Jones earned a B.A. in secondary education in 1996 and a master’s degree in health education from UAB in 1997. He was a member of the Blazer football team and is a Blazer letterman. He was elected to the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers in 2008 and serves as the chairman for the Public Relations and Governmental Affairs Committee of the state Alabama Athletic Trainers Association.

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, Dr. Kutcher spent five years as a consultant in epidemiology in Washington, DC. He then attended the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA and remained at Tulane after graduation to complete his internship in Internal Medicine. Dr. Kutcher returned to the University of Michigan in 1999 where he completed his Neurology residency as well as his fellowship training in Stroke. After fellowship, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan and has served as an Assistant Professor and Service Chief for Inpatient Neurology since 2004.

Dr. Kutcher's interest in Sports Neurology began during his residency but was formalized once he joined the faculty and began working more closely with the Athletic Medicine group at the University of Michigan. In the summer of 2006, he founded Michigan NeuroSport, an academic and clinical program dedicated to the neurologic care of the athlete. He is now a Team Physician for Eastern Michigan University and the Consulting Neurologist for University of Michigan Athletics and the USA Hockey Developmental Program.

Dr. Kutcher has research interests in the diagnosis and management of concussion, with a particular focus on how other neurologic diagnoses such as migraine headache and epilepsy may improve our understanding. He is working within the Neurologic community to help build and promote the field of Sports Neurology. As a result of his efforts and leadership, the American Academy of Neurology will convene its first ever section on Sports Neurology this Spring in Seattle, WA.

Tory Lindley is in his eighth year as Associate AD/Director of Athletic Training Services at Northwestern University. In addition to coordinating health care services for NU’s 19 sports he serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for Wildcat football. Tory came to Northwestern after serving as Director of Sports Medicine, clinical supervisor and athletic training instructor at Eastern Michigan University. Prior to coming to EMU Lindley spent four years as a Staff Athletic Trainer at Michigan State University. Prior to his Michigan State tenure, Lindley was the Head Athletic Trainer at Hamline University from 1993-96. Lindley is a 1991 Michigan State University graduate and went on to earn his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota in 1993. Lindley gained NFL athletic training experience while serving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Houston Oilers in 1992-93. A published author in the Journal of Athletic Training, Athletic Therapy Today, and Rehab Management, Lindley currently serves as President of the Illinois Athletic Trainers’ Association after serving as the Association’s Vice President since 2003.

Milica owns Clearwater Therapeutics, a sports physical therapy practice in Bozeman, Montana. A former Big Sky Conference athlete, Milica received her undergraduate training at Montana State University where she studied Exercise Physiology and Health Promotion. She then attended University of Colorado’s Health Sciences Center, graduating with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy in 2003. After practicing orthopedics in Southern California, Milica returned to Montana in 2004, establishing her current practice. In 2006, Milica was awarded her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Idaho State University where she studied rehabilitative factors in adolescent female athletes following ACL reconstruction. Milica’s current areas of interest include work with athletes returning to alpine sports following orthopedic trauma. She also has recently begun work with athletes returning to skiing and running following amputation. Milica is board eligible for specialty certification in orthopedics in 2009. In her spare time you can find Milica skiing on both water and snow, training for and racing in triathlons, and chasing her 4 year-old daughter down the ski hill.

Ed is currently the Head Football Trainer at the University of Minnesota, where he has just completed his fourth season. He arrived from the University of Kansas where he served as Head Football Trainer during the 2001-02 season. Prior to that, he spent seven years as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Colorado. Ed graduated from the University of Colorado in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in biology and he earned his masters in Kinesiology from Michigan State University in 1989, where he served as a graduate assistant with Wrestling and Football.

Director of Athletic Training Education Program at Lee University 2005-present
Administrative duties include faculty recruitment and assignment of course load; Implementation and organization of new and current athletic training competencies and proficiencies; Current sponsor of a new ATEP student club; Advisor for all ATEP majors; Student recruitment and retainment for ATEP; Provide faculty, staff, and student development through ACI workshops, student orientation, and facilitate exemplary guest speaking throughout the academic year. Teaching courses as needed by the department of Health, Exercise Science, and Secondary Education.

Graduated in 2007 from Indiana University - Bloomington. Recently completed his Master's of Biology from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Is a current Instructor for MedTech College's nursing program, and is applying for medical school for the class of 2010.

After receiving his medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 1973, Dr. McKeag completed his internship at the Presbyterian Hospital, Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco in 1974. Following completion of a Family Practice Residency at the Grand Rapids Area Medical Education Program in 1976, Dr. McKeag completed concurrent fellowships in Family Practice and Adolescent Medicine in 1977. From 1977 to 1995, Dr. McKeag was a member of the Department of Family Practice at the College of Human Medicine [CHM] at Michigan State University. He served as the Director of Research, University Coordinator of Sports Medicine, and as Associate Chairman of Education. He also headed the Track II medicine-based curriculum for CHM.

He is currently a board member of the Michigan State University CHM Alumni Board. From 1995 to 1999, Dr. McKeag was Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine and Vice Chairman for the Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, where he held the Arthur J. Rooney Sr. Chair for Sports Medicine. Serving as a professional consultant to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Committee, Dr. McKeag has also consulted with Kuwait University, Walt Disney Educational Services, Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, Clemson University, New York Giants, University of Louisville, Southern Illinois University and the Indianapolis Colts to name a few. He currently serves as the head team physician at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis [IUPUI].

Dr. McKeag has also been the Principal Investigator in numerous research grants totaling over 1 million dollars. Dr. McKeag continues his involvement with professional medical organizations such as; the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine [AMSSM], the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine [STFM], the American Board of Family Practice [ABFP], the American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM], the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians [IAFP], and the American Academy of Family Physicians [AAFP]. He has served in various capacities ranging from Board Member to President in these and other organizations. Known for his factual and informative presentations, Dr. McKeag continues to be highly sought after on the lecture circuit and at state and national assemblies. He is an accomplished author on a variety of medical and sports medicine topics. Dr. McKeag contributes as a named source and reference in national magazines such as Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, New England Journal of Medicine, as well as daily publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Washington Times.

In 2003, Dr. McKeag received the Citation Award from ACSM, its highest award. Later that same year, he led a Sports Medicine delegation of physicians to Vietnam, sponsored by People to People Ambassador Programs. He was the Conference Chairman for Rendezvous 2004, an international symposium on Sports Medicine. Dr. McKeag currently serves on the editorial boards of 9 medical journals. He has completed two books – one for the International Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Series with Blackwell Science Ltd., in London, England and the Second Edition of ACSM’s Primary Care Sports Medicine textbook. Dr. McKeag chaired the Indiana Arthritis Initiative – an outreach of the Indiana State Department of Health. In 2006, he was presented the State Health Commissioner Award for his service to the State

Denny Miller was named director of sports medicine for the Purdue athletic training program in July of 2000 after a 24-year stint as head athletic trainer. Before that, he served four years as an assistant athletic trainer. Miller also is director of the Physical Therapy Department of the Purdue Student Health Center. In 2002, Miller received the Diamond “P” Award, presented annually by the John Purdue Club for distinguished service and commitment to Purdue athletics. A certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Miller joined the Purdue ranks in 1973 following completion of his postgraduate physical therapy curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania, which followed tours as assistant athletic trainer at United States Military Academy, West Point (while on active duty) and Syracuse. In June of 1996, Miller completed four years as president of the 20,000-member NATA. He also is a former president of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association. He currently is chair of a NATA task force to develop and recommend standards for health care for intercollegiate athletes. Miller was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in June of 2001. A native of Hawarden, Iowa, Miller earned his B.S. in physical education from Iowa State in 1968, his M. S. in physical education from Syracuse in 1972 and his physical therapy degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973. Denny and his wife, Linda, have two daughters, Nicole and Natalie, who are Purdue graduates.

Upon college graduation in 1980 I began a banking career that lasted 14 years with 2 different financial institutions. Purchased Econoline Products, Inc. in 1994. Gained dramatic market share and industry recognition over next 6 years. Sold Econoline to School Health Corporation in 2000. Currently I am President of the Econoline Manufacturing Division of School Health, the President of the Sports Health Division of School Health and the National Sales Manager for School Health.

An undergraduate from The Ohio State University in 1972 and Masters from the University of North Dakota in 1974, Jeff has been the active in athletic training since 1968. The former Head Athletic Trainer from the University of North Dakota, 1974-75 became a Gopher at the University of Minnesota, 1975-85 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Men’s Basketball and Football.

Upon taking the Head Athletic Trainer job at Michigan State University in 1985 he has been working with Football as his primary sport assignment and teaching in the Athletic Training Curriculum. He has been active as the Director of The Big Sky Athletic Training Sports Medicine Conference for the past 10 years.

Academically, Mr. Monroe has published in numerous journals and texts with his latest contribution as co-author to a Chapter in ACSM's Primary Care of Sports Medicine text book.

Currently he is the Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, Athletic Training and Strength and Conditioning, he is also a past President of the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society.

Andy is currently the Head Football Athletic Trainer at the University of Nevada, where he has just completed his second season. He arrived from the University of Minnesota where he served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for four years and as a Graduate Assistant for one year. Prior to that, he spent one year as an Intern assistant athletic trainer at the University of Colorado. Andy graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training.

Tori Noda MS, ATC, CSCS joined the University of Oregon's Athletic Medicine staff in Fall 2008 after completing her Master's degree in Human Physiology with the UO Post-Professional Graduate Athletic Training Program. Prior to joining the Ducks, Tori received her BS in Exercise Science from the University of California, Davis and spent 2 years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Laguna Creek High School. Tori holds a CSCS in addition to her ATC credential, and has research interests in functional movement screens and corrective exercise. Her current assignment with the Ducks is women's basketball, volleyball, and men's and women's tennis.

Steve Nordwall is in his seventh year as the director of sports medicine for the Eastern Michigan University athletic department. Steve joined the EMU staff after spending the previous five years as an assistant trainer for the Kent State University athletic program. A native of Minnetonka, Minn., Steve graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1986. He went on to complete his undergraduate degree at North Park College in Chicago, Ill. in 1990, and followed that with his master’s degree at Western Michigan University in 1996. From 1991-94 Nordwall was the head athletic trainer at Triton College in River Grove, Ill.

He then moved on to Western Michigan University as a graduate assistant athletic trainer from 1994-96, followed by a position at the University of Notre Dame as an assistant athletic trainer during the 1996-97 season. He joined the Kent State University staff in 1997 as an assistant athletic trainer and remained there until accepting the EMU position. Steve is currently serving on the National Athletic Trainers Associations’ College / University Athletic Trainers Committee and is the Secretary for the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society.

Dr. Jeffrey Noftz is the head team physician for Bowling Green State University Athletics. He also serves as the medical director for the University’s Athletic Training Program and Wilderness Medicine Program. After completing his physical therapy degree in 1992, Dr. Noftz returned to medical school graduating in 2001 and completing his Family Medicine residency in 2003. As a physical therapist, he has presented nationally on musculoskeletal injury and rehabilitation. He has contributed to research and book chapters evaluating physical examination techniques. Prior to accepting the position at BGSU, Dr. Noftz served as the Director of Sports Medicine Primary Care for the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Ellen Payne, is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno working towards her PhD in Educational Leadership. There she works as a graduate assistant teaching the College of Education’s first year experience course. Prior to attending UNR Ellen spent 6 years teaching and working as an athletic trainer at Woodside Priory School near San Francisco, CA. There she taught a year long, UC approved, Kinesiology and Sports Medicine class along with an Advanced Kinesiology Independent Study. She also served as an Approved Clinical Instructor for San Jose University’s ATEP. Ellen became involved with the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine soon after its inception, first as a chapter advisor and now serving on the national council as the treasurer. Ellen has a Masters Degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dr. Pearl has been selected as one of the Washingtonian Magazine's top sports doctors. He has been practicing in the Washington DC area since 1992. He is a graduate of Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Pearl is a fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons as well as board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Our office offers foot and ankle care to patients of all ages.

Dr. Pearl has a special interest in sports medicine, which is enhanced by his own participation in running, bicycling, and ski instruction.

Wes Robinson is in his second year as the Terrapins’ head football athletic trainer. Robinson provides athletic training coverage of practice and games to all of Maryland’s football student-athletes. Robinson also oversees assistant athletic trainers in their roles with the football and women’s gymnastics programs. Robinson came to Maryland after seven years at Purdue University, where he was an assistant athletic trainer with the Boilermakers’ football program and the athletic trainer for wrestling. Robinson also worked with the baseball team during his tenure.

Prior to Purdue, Robinson spent two years as a physical therapist and athletic trainer at the St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine Center. Robinson got his first job in football athletic training at the University of Kentucky, where he served as a graduate assistant from 1996-98.

Robinson holds two bachelor’s degrees, receiving a bachelor of arts in physical education/exercise science from Morehead State University in 1995 and a bachelor of science in health sciences from the University of Kentucky in 1996. Robinson also earned a masters of science in physical therapy from Kentucky in 1998. Robinson currently resides in Laurel, Md., with his wife, Katy.

Dr. Russo is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has her CAQ in Primary Care Sports Medicine. She received her medical degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Medicine Residency at Resurrection Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident. She conducted her Sports Medicine Fellowship training in California and graduated from Harbor-UCLA. Dr. Russo returned to Chicago in 2007 to become part of the faculty at the Resurrection Family Medicine Residency and the Sports Medicine Fellowship Director.

She is one of the lead physicians for the 2007 Chicago Marathon and is one of the volunteer physicians for the Chicago Distance Classic and Chicago Triathlon. In addition, she was the Medical Director for the 2007 National Cycling Criterium Championship. She was also a volunteer physician in Kona, Hawaii at the Ironman World Championship Triathlon in 2004 and 2005.

While in California, Dr. Russo was one of the team physicians for the Los Angeles Rugby Club and their team physician for the USA Rugby National Championship. She was also the co-medical director for the 2006 Los Angeles Triathlon. Dr. Russo was also a volunteer physician for the 2007 USA Youth Women’s Soccer Tournament in Los Angeles. She also served as the Medical Director for the NCAA Division II Men’s Far West Regional Soccer Tournament and was part of the medical team for Dew Extreme Games in San Jose in 2006.

Michael Ryan has been the Jaguars' original head athletic trainer/physical therapist since June 1, 1994. He has just completed his 22nd full-time season in the NFL. Ryan is presently the President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers’ Society Research & Education Foundation. Ryan is a member of the National Football League Foot & Ankle Committee. Mike also serves as Chairman of the NFL Collegiate Athletic Trainers Committee.

In 2003, Ryan and his staff won the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award’s NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year. Ryan is the recipient of the 2008 Southeast Athletic Trainers Association’s Professional Athlete Trainer of the Year award and the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida’s 2007 Athlete Trainer of the Year.

A six-time Ironman Triathlon finisher, Ryan served as a volunteer athletic trainer/physical therapist at the United States Olympic Training Center during the summer of 2008.

Susan Verscheure PhD, ATC is a Canadian transplant from Toronto, Ontario. Her interests in sports medicine began at York University where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996 with a certificate in Sports Therapy. Dr. Verscheure’s research interests as a graduate student focused on issues specific to the athletic woman including: a biomechanical assessment of various sports bra designs, and the effect of estrogen fluctuation on the anterior cruciate ligament and anterior tibial translation in the knee. As a faculty member, her research interests have expanded to include functional movement screening programs, and the effectiveness of active learning in the classroom. Dr.
Verscheure is a faculty member in the Department of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon where she is the director of a Post-Professional Athletic Training Masters Program, and the Human Anatomy Instructor.

An innovative professional, Dr. Rod Walters has enjoyed a storied career as a collegiate athletic trainer. Most recently, Walters has provided outstanding consultations and is a much-sought after public speaker through Walters Inc. – Consultants in Sports Medicine. A member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), he served on NATA’s Board of Directors from 1997 - 2003. He received the NATA’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2003 and was inducted into the NATA’s Hall of Fame in 2005. He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Walters worked in the field of athletic training since 1980. He received his undergraduate (1979) and Master’s (1980) degrees at Appalachian State University and his doctoral degree from Middle Tennessee State University (1988). Walters was head athletic trainer at Lenoir-Rhyne College (N.C.) for five years before joining the staff at Appalachian and moved to the University of South Carolina in 1990, a member of the nation’s top athletic league in the Southeastern Conference. Walters served South Carolina for over seventeen years. Walters has over 150 presentations on athletic training and more than 35 professional articles. He is married to Susan Ferguson of Columbia, S.C., and they have four children.