Free Communications Awards The purpose of the Free Communications Awards program is to recognize and encourage the research efforts of athletic trainers and athletic training students by awarding outstanding research awards based on NATA Foundation Free Communications program abstracts and presentations. The award categories include 5 types of awards across the research spectrum, which will all be presented as Oral Presentations. 2024 Winners: Pre-Professional/Professional Student: SARA ESCOBAR University of Lynchburg Abstract Title: “Impact Mitigation Properties of Youth and Adult Ice Hockey Helmets” Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track Student: DAVID JACQUES, MS, ATC University of Toledo Abstract Title: “Reliability and Validity of Hip and Thigh Muscle Strength Assessment Using Low-Cost Tension Dynamometers” Clinical Take Home Message: Photobiomodulation therapy is an exciting therapeutic modality that shows promise in reducing fatigue and improving physical performance when used prior to an exercise. Before using it in clinical practice, special attention must be placed in regards to the technical specifications of the device employed and the parameters (time, dosage, wavelength) that will be applied. Post-Professional Terminal Degree Student: SUNGHOON CHUNG, MS, ATC Old Dominion University Abstract Title: “The Optimal Dose of Balance Training for Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” Early-Career: LAUREL TRAIL, MPA, ATC University of Texas at Tyler Abstract Title: “Carpometacarpal Bossing in a Collegiate Baseball Player: A Case Report” Clinical Take Home Message: Many uncommon or rare pathologies have the potential to mimic the symptomatology of more common pathologies. This abstract identifies a unique and rare wrist injury that occurs in 19% of individuals with only 1% experiencing symptoms that affect athletic performance. Thorough and holistic evaluations of pathologies is critical for accurate diagnosis. With an accurate diagnosis, a clinician can produce with the best rehabilitation and treatment program to return an athlete to the field. Established Career: JOHNA REGISTER-MIHALIK, PHD, ATC University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Abstract Title: “Prevalence and Diagnosis Status of Non-Sport-Related Concussions in a Sample of High School, College and Professional Athletes” Clinical Take Home Message: Non-sport-related concussions are less like to be reported than those that are sport-related, indicating a need to improve care pathways for these injuries at all levels of sport. Award Categories: Pre-Professional/Professional Student – Individuals eligible for this award would be undergraduate students or entry-level students who are pursuing education to become an athletic trainer (i.e., pre-ATC credential). Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track Student – Individuals eligible for this award would already have their athletic training credential but are still a student pursuing further education for the goal of becoming an advanced clinician and includes advanced master’s degree and residents. Post-Professional Terminal Degree Student – Individuals eligible for this award would already have their athletic training credential but are still a student pursuing further education in a terminal degree (e.g, DAT, PhD, EdD, DHSc/DHS, ScD/DSc, DHEd) Early-Career– Individuals eligible for this award would be working in their current position and have < 7 years of experience since being a student, including postdoctoral fellows, faculty, staff, other. Established Career – Individuals eligible for this award would be working in their current position and have at least 7 years of experience since being a student, including: faculty, staff, other. 2016 – 2022 Winners2023 Pre-Professional/Professional Student: JULIA RIZOPOULOS, Florida International University. “Paget-Schroetter Syndrome in a Collegiate Baseball Player: A Type 4 Clinical CASE Study” Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track Student: STEPHAN FISHER, MS, ATC, Texas State University. “The Response of Photobiomodulation on Muscle Fatigue When Applied at Different Time Points” 2022 Learn more about the 2022 recipients here. Pre-Professional/Professional Student: KENTA MIZUMOTO, Ritsumeikan University. “A Mindfulness Breathing Exercise Program Improves Dynamic Postural Control in Collegiate Soccer Athletes with a History of Lateral Ankle Sprain” Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track Student: KATIE ROSENTHAL, MS, AT, ATC, University of Toledo. “Transverse Abdominis Activity in Healthy Active Adults During Therapeutic Exercises” Post-Professional Terminal Degree Student: HoWON KIM, MS, ATC, Ohio University. “Action-Observation Brain Activity Associate with Kinesiophobia after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction” Early-Career: DANIELLE TORP, PHD, ATC, University of Kentucky. “Immediate and Retention Effects of Auditory Biofeedback Gait Training on Biomechanics and Talar Cartilage Characteristics in Chronic Ankle Instability” Established Career:DANIEL CLIFTON, PHD, ATC, Consortium for Health and Military Performance. “Financial Impact of Embedded Injury Prevention Experts in U.S. Army Initial Entry Training” 2021 Learn more about the 2021 recipients here. Pre-Professional/Professional Student: Claire Brewer, University of Alabama. “Preliminary Investigation between Race as a Social Determinant of Health and Symptom Endorsement Following a Sport-Related Concussion” Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track Student: Kennedy Dewey, ATC, George Mason University. “The Epidemiology of Injuries in Middle School Baseball Between the 2015/16 and 2018/19 School Years” Post-Professional Terminal Degree Student: Xavier Thompson, MS, ATC, University of Virginia. “Disagreement in Pass Rates Among Different Components of Return to Sports Test Batteries After ACLR” Early-Career: Alicia Lacy, PhD, ATC, A.T. Still University. “Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of and Experiences with Unlearning in Clinical Practice” Established Career: Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, A.T. Still University. “Test-Retest Reliability of the Concussion Quality of Life-Youth Patient-Report Outcome Measure (Version 1).” 2020 Pre-Professional/Professional Student: Chaselyn Trentley, University of Lynchburg. “The Experience of Professional Master’s Athletic Training Students With Sexual Harassment During Clinical Education” Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track Student: Stephanie Stephens, MS, ATC,University of Virginia. “Dry Cupping Therapy Improves Subcutaneous Hemodynamics and Pain Associated with Nonspecific Neck Pain” Post-Professional Terminal Degree Student: Justin Rush, MS, ATC, University of Toledo. “Limb Differences in Hamstring Muscle Function and Morphology 2-9 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction” Early-Career: Rachel Koldenhoven Rolfe, PhD, ATC, Texas State University. “Gait Biofeedback and Impairment-based Rehabilitation for Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial” Established Career: Randy Schmitz, PhD, ATC, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “Neural Correlates of Knee Extension Exercise and Single Leg Hop Performance Following Attentionally Focused Neuromuscular Training” 2019 Undergraduate Poster: Holly Carrington, University of Virginia. “The Effect of Hormonal Contraceptives on Length of Recovery in Female Collegiate Athletes” Master’s Poster: Lilly VanDeMark, MA, LAT, ATC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The Effect of Progressive Visual Occlusion on Postural Control Response in Those With and Without Chronic Ankle Instability” Doctoral Poster: Cody Criss, Ohio University. “Neural Activity Differences for Combined Hip-Knee Motor Control in ACL Reconstructed Individuals” Master’s Oral: Francesca Genoese, LAT, ATC, CES, University of Kentucky. “The Relationship Between Injury-Related Fear and Visuomotor Reaction Time in Individuals After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction” Doctoral Oral: Esther Nolton, MEd, LAT, ATC, George Mason University. “Virginia Concussion Initiative: Stakeholder Perspectives of Disparities in Concussion Policy Implementation 2018 Undergraduate Poster – Briana Rexrode – Lynchburg College Master’s Poster – Jacob Hartzell, LAT, ATC – University of Kentucky Doctoral Poster -Rachel Koldenhoven, MEd, ATC – University of Virginia Master’s Oral – Morgan Perry– University of Evansville Doctoral Oral – Britney Luc-Harkey, PhD, ATC – Brigham and Women’s Hospital Orthopedics Department 2017 Undergraduate Poster – Grant Cabel – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Master’s Poster – Brad Endres, ATC, CSCS – Korey Stringer Institute / University of Connecticut Doctoral Poster -Kevin Morris, MS, ATC – Ohio University Master’s Oral – Andres Almeraya, ATC – Korey Stringer Institute / University of Connecticuty Doctoral Oral – John Goetschius, PhD, ATC – University of Virginia 2016 Undergraduate Poster – Katherine Van Wert – High Point University Master’s Poster – Jamie Legner – Old Dominion University Doctoral Poster -Jennifer Cuchna – Old Dominion University Master’s Oral – Joseph Vogler – Indiana State University Doctoral Oral – Lesley Vandermark – University of Connecticut 2011 – 2015 Winners2015 Undergraduate Poster – Andrea Baellow – High Point University Master’s Poster – Tyler Oberlander – South Dakota State Doctoral Poster -Robert Lynall – UNC Chapel Hill Master’s Oral – Stephanie Madura – Temple University Doctoral Oral – Dustin Grooms – The Ohio State University 2014 Undergraduate Poster – Arthur Adkins – Saginaw Valley State University Masters Poster – David Florea, MS, ATC – University of Toledo Doctoral Poster – Alan Needle, PhD, ATC, CSCS – Appalachian State University Master’s Oral – Matthew Mills, MA, ATC, PES – Stanford University Doctoral Oral – Adam S. Lepley, MA, ATC – University of Toledo 2013 Undergraduate Poster – Shirleah Fayson Master’s Oral – Kimberly Gray, ATC Master’s Poster – Stephanie M. Kulow, ATC Doctoral Oral – Luke Donovan, MEd, ATC Doctoral Poster – Emily Anne Hall, MS, ATC 2012 Undergraduate Poster – Leslie Cardozza Master’s Oral – Stasia M. Burroughs, MEd, ATC, CSCS Master’s Poster – Steven St. Thomas, ATC Doctoral Oral – Johanna M. Hoch, MS, ATC Doctoral Poster – Matthew Shawn Donahue, MS, ATC 2011 Undergraduate Poster – Lyndsey Ingram Master’s Orals – Candace Leach, ATC Master’s Posters – Masafumi Terada, ATC Doctoral Orals – Hayley M. Ericksen, MS, ATC Doctoral Posters – Rebecca L. Scanlon-Begalle, MS, ATC, CSCS 2006 – 2010 Winners2010 Undergraduate Poster – David Craig Oates, ATC Master’s Orals – Allison Kim Master’s Posters – Ryan Sean McCann, ATC Doctoral Orals – Shelley Linens Doctoral Posters – Brian Pietrosimone, PhD, ATC 2009 Undergraduate Poster – Jeanne Graf Master’s Orals – Ashley Anna Reed, ATC Master’s Posters – Emily Schlitz, ATC, LAT Doctoral Orals – Lindsay DiStefano, MA, ATC, PES Doctoral Posters – Jihong Park, MS, ATC, CSCS 2008 Undergraduate Poster – Thomas Bateman Master’s Poster – Matthew W. Rondeau, MA, ATC, LAT Doctoral Poster – Sarah de la Motte, MA, ATC Master’s Oral – Daniel Huffman, MEd, ATC, CSCS Doctoral Oral – Johna Kay Register-Mihalik, MA, ATC 2007 Undergraduate Poster – Edward S. Ericksen Master’s Poster – Lindsey Drewes Doctoral Poster – Jason Mihalik, MS, CAT(C), ATC Master’s Oral – Peter Fath, MEd, ATC Doctoral Oral – Anh-Dung Nguyen, MSEd, ATC 2006 Undergraduate Poster – Ben Goerger, ATC Master’s Poster – Stephanie Lynch, MA, ATC Doctoral Poster – Lauren C. Kramer, PhD, ATC Master’s Oral – Johna K. Register, ATC Doctoral Oral – Anh-Dung Nguyen, MSEd, ATC 2001 – 2005 Winners2005 Undergraduate Poster – Crystal Seamon, ATC Master’s Poster – David Tomchuk, ATC, CSCS Doctoral Poster – Bradley T. Hayes, PhD, ATC Master’s Oral – Rebecca lopez, MS, ATC, LAT Doctoral Oral – Jatin Ambegaonkar, MS, ATC 2004 Undergraduate Poster – Elicia N. Bennett, ATC Master’s Poster – Nicholas Martin, MS, ATC/L Doctoral Poster – Todd C. Sander, PhD, ATC, PT Master’s Oral – Eric D. McVey, MEd, ATC Doctoral Oral – Riann M. Palmieri, PhD, ATC 2003 Undergraduate Poster – Stephanie Paris, SAT Master’s Poster – Amanda J. Nelson, ATC Doctoral Poster – Brian Ragan, ATC Master’s Oral – Steven P. Broglio, BA, ATC Doctoral Oral – Cathy Brown, MA, ATC 2002 Undergraduate Poster – Anna M. Mychaskiw Master’s Poster – Cheri Drysdale, MEd, ATC Doctoral Poster – Todd A. Evans, MA, ATC, CSCS Master’s Oral – Tricia J. Hubbard, ATC Doctoral Oral – Kevin Tsang, PhD, ATC 2001 Student Poster Awards sponsored by NFL Charities First Place-Tie: Yan Ying Ju, MS, PT, ATC & Jeff W. Otte, MS, ATC Third Place: Jessica Serwa, MS, ATC