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.

2025 Award Recipient: Joe Hart, PhD, ATC, FACSM, FNATA, FNAK

Joe Hart, PhD, ATC is the Norfleet-Raney Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedics and Vice Chair for Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Hart is a clinical research scientist with devoted interest in studying outcomes following musculoskeletal injury and orthopaedic surgery with primary focus on patients with knee ligament (anterior cruciate ligament, ACL) reconstruction. His research programs leverage precision measurement instrumentation, techniques and technologies used for making important healthcare decisions. Dr. Hart’s research focus is in the early recovery phases following ACL reconstruction including rehabilitation techniques for muscle strengthening, optimizing movement coordination and functional recovery through and beyond the point of release to unrestricted physical activity. Dr. Hart has developed point-of-care research programs that merge with and inform clinical practice. The ultimate goal is the early identification and treatment of musculoskeletal impairments aimed at reducing risk of re-injury and promoting well-being through safe engagement in physical activity.

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.

2025 Award Recipient: Kate Jochimsen, PhD, ATC

Dr. Kate Jochimsen is a Researcher at the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHIOR) at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She earned her M.S. in Athletic Training from Florida International University, her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky and completed her postdoctoral training in biomechanics at Ohio State University. Her work “bridges the gap” between sports medicine and psychology. She is an NIH K-awardee who is developing a mind-body intervention to improve rehabilitation outcomes for patients with chronic hip-related pain. The Helping Improve PSychological health (HIPS) intervention teaches patients skills to improve their pain-related cognitions (‘how they think’) and emotions (‘how they feel’) to improve their health behaviors and increase physical activity. Dr. Jochimsen is passionate about advancing psychologically informed practice, and she enjoys educating sports medicine clinicians on how to communicate about mental health and intervene when appropriate. She is a licensed athletic trainer with 12 years of clinical experience working with high school, Division I collegiate, and recreational athletes.

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.

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.

2025 Award Recipient: Luk Devorski PhD, ATC

Dr. Luk Devorski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Saint Joseph’s University and the co-founder of the Sport, Wellness, Exercise physiology and Athletic Training (SWEAT) Laboratory. In August 2023, he obtained his doctoral degree in Kinesiology from the University of Central Florida under the mentorship of Dr. L. Colby Mangum. Prior to his Ph.D., he earned his Master’s degree at the University of Toledo and his undergraduate Athletic Training degree at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Devorski’s research focuses on musculoskeletal health, including non-specific low back pain, core muscle function, and exercise interventions. His recent work explores gamified rehabilitation methods, the biomechanics of core exercises, and performance during functional movements. Dr. Devorski’s laboratory is currently exploring the impact of at home endurance exercise for cervical spine pain, load carrying and low back pain within law enforcement officers, and exercise interventions within the autism population.

In addition to his scholarly contributions, Dr. Devorski is a dedicated educator, teaching courses in the Exercise Physiology program including motor learning, kinesiology, athletic injuries and exercise for special populations. His teaching and advising are driven by Saint Joseph’s University’s mantra, “cura personalis”. Dedication to improving the student’s potential inside and outside of the classroom. Dr. Devorski implements inclusivity and equitable teaching practices, engaging students in innovative learning experiences and professional development opportunities. Dr. Devorski also holds leadership and mentorship roles within the professional community, fostering collaboration and growth in athletic training and exercise science.

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.

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).

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.

2024 Award Recipient: Stephen E. Bair

Stephen E. Bair’s dedication to the NATA Foundation, its volunteers, and its donors epitomizes the values of leadership, selflessness, commitment, and loyalty. His profound impact is evident through the establishment of the Ted Quedenfeld Endowment, the largest individual donation received by the NATA Foundation, ensuring perpetual support for its research programs.

A member of the NATA Foundation’s Shoebox Society for planned giving, Stephen demonstrated unwavering support over the years, exemplified by his Legacy level membership in the AT Loyal Giving Society. His financial contributions supported various NATA Foundation-managed endowments, including the NATA Hall of Fame Scholarship Endowment and the Ted Quedenfeld Student Research Grant Endowment and the Edward Pillings Scholarship Endowment.

Steve’s influence extended beyond financial generosity; he excelled as a mentor, educator, and friend. Recognized for his outstanding service to his patients and the profession, he instilled in his students a passion for involvement within the athletic training profession. His outstanding service earned him accolades, including inductions into the NATA Hall of Fame, the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) Hall of Fame, and the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA) 49 Club.

As a leader, Steve’s commitment spanned local, regional, and national levels. He played pivotal roles in organizations such as the ATSNJ, EATA, and the Board of Certification for The Athletic Trainer, leaving an lasting mark as the District Two Chair on the NATA Foundation’s board of directors from 2004 to 2010.
Stephen E. Bair’s legacy is marked by his tireless advocacy, mentorship, and service, which continue to enrich the athletic training profession and inspire future generations.

Volunteer Service Award
Awarded to an individual for their exemplary volunteer service advancing the NATA Research & Education Foundation.

2024 Award Recipient: Susan Yeargin, PhD, ATC
Susan Yeargin, PhD, ATC, is awarded for the Volunteer Service Award based on her distinguished service and leadership within the organization. With a tenure spanning over a decade, Susan has provided volunteer service to the NATA Foundation in multiple roles, including membership on the Pronouncements Committee from 2011 to 2018 and the Research Committee from 2017 to 2023. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Pronouncements Committee, showcasing her enduring commitment and expertise.

Throughout her tenure, Susan has exemplified dedication, leadership, and profound contributions to the NATA Foundation and the athletic training profession. Notably, her role as Chair of the Pronouncements Committee has been marked by exceptional insight, leading to the development of Policies and Procedures that have significantly streamlined the committee’s operations and project progression.

The Pronouncements committee has thrived under Dr. Yeargin’s leadership due to her professionalism and commitment to excellence.

Impact Service Award
Awarded to an individual for their exemplary grass roots initiatives which provided significant advancement of the NATA Research & Education Foundation.

2024 Award Recipient: Valerie Moody, PhD, LAT, ATC
Valerie has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the NATA Research and Education Foundation through her extensive service spanning over a decade. Her involvement began in 2008 as a State Ambassador for District 10 in Montana, and since then, her commitment has only deepened. Serving as the District 10 NATA Foundation Chair for six years, she concurrently held roles such as Co-Chair of the Educational Resources Committee and membership on various committees including the AT Student Challenge, District Relations, and Scholarship committees. Notably, she served on the NATA Foundation Executive Board from 2017 to 2019 as the Vice President of External Affairs.

Valerie’s passion for educating and involving her University of Montana students in NATA Foundation activities is commendable. Under her guidance, University of Montana students have achieved remarkable success, winning the Student Writing Contest and receiving NATA Foundation scholarships regularly since 2011.

Valerie’s initiatives, such as the Annual Cornhole tournament during District 10’s annual meeting, have become signature fundraisers, raising substantial funds for the NATA Foundation since 2018. Even after her tenure on the NATA Foundation board, Valerie has persistently expanded this initiative, and now other districts are starting to adopt the fundraiser for their annual meetings.