Elizabeth Catalano, Esq.
Elizabeth Catalano is an associate in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department. Elizabeth focuses her practice on complex litigation matters involving employment litigation and commercial disputes across a variety of industries. Elizabeth practices in both federal and state court and has experience at all stages of litigation – from drafting pleadings and facilitating all aspects of pre-trial discovery to arguing dispositive motions. Elizabeth is a member of Montgomery McCracken’s Hiring Committee, Associate Committee and Summer Associate Committee. She is also a contributor to Montgomery McCracken’s Sports Medicine and the Law quarterly newsletter. Prior to joining Montgomery McCracken, Elizabeth was a law clerk for a local Philadelphia law firm and a Certified Legal Intern in Villanova’s Health Law Clinic. Elizabeth earned her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law where she was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as a Student Works Editor on the Villanova Law Review. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, in Political Science with a minor in Writing & Rhetoric from Colgate University.
Dolores Christensen PsyD, HSP
Dr. Dolores Christensen (she/her) is a licensed psychologist and the Director of Psychological Resources for OU Student-Athletes (PROS) within The University of Oklahoma Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Within PROS, Dolores works directly with OU student-athletes, coaches, and staff to support the mental health and performance psychology needs of OU student-athletes and teams. Dolores is also the co-coordinator of the OU Athletics Wellness Team, an interdisciplinary group of athletics staff charged with assessing, monitoring, and treating student-athletes who present with disordered eating/eating disorder behaviors. As one of the coordinators of the Wellness Team, Dolores also created the WT Treatment Guidelines to guide appropriate assessment and level of care decisions for student-athletes under the care of the WT. She specializes in working with individuals who are struggling in their relationship with food, body image, and/or exercise. She has a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Athletic Counseling from Springfield College. Dolores completed her doctoral internship at UC Davis Counseling Services in the eating disorder emphasis area and her postdoctoral residency in dual emphasis areas of eating disorders and sport psychology. She presents annually at national professional psychology and sport psychology conferences on the topics of diversity, inclusion, and Allyship in sport psychology, eating disorders, and professional practice issues.
Darryl Conway, ATC, University of Michigan
Darryl Conway serves as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director & Chief Health & Welfare Officer for
University of Michigan Athletics, owner of Conway Ventures, LLC, and is Co‐Founder / Partner of Sports
Medicine Emergency Management, LLC (SMEM). Darryl holds a Masters’ Degree from Adelphi University (’95)
in Sports Medicine and Sports Management and a Bachelors’ Degree from the University of Delaware (’93) in
Physical Education Studies and Athletic Training. In addition to being a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Darryl has worked with various SWAT Teams as their Tactical Medic and Athletic Trainer, and as a volunteer EMT, and has been an American Red Cross first aid, CPR, and AED instructor for 30 years. Darryl serves as the Chair of the NATA’s Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC), is a member of the NATA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Advocacy (DEIA) Task Force, Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society (MATS) Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society (MATS) AT Cares Committee, NATA Research & Education Foundation (REF) Development Task Force, & the NATA’s Educationalist
Community Diversity Recruitment & Retention Work Group. Darryl served as Co‐Chair of the NCAA’s Diverse Student‐Athlete Mental Health & Well‐Being Task Force, is a member of the State of Michigan Board of Athletic Trainers, the State
of Michigan Board of Athletic Trainers Disciplinary Sub‐Committee & Rules Sub‐Committee, the Board of Certification of Athletic Trainers (BOC) Reinstatement Committee, and previously served on the NATA Committee on Professional Ethics
(COPE). Darryl also serves as an Instructor Trainer & Instructor for American Red Cross CPR / AED / First Aid Courses, an Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, an Associate Expert with The Rehberg‐Konin Group, an Instructor &
Ambassador with Stop the Bleed, and has worked as an Athletic Trainer at the Winter X Games and various Red Bull
extreme events. Darryl also worked as a Senior Clinical Instructor with Sports Medicine Concepts, Inc., is a member of the Xenith Scientific Advisory Committee, and a consultant for RG Medical Diagnostics. Darryl has also been involved as a
member of the Spine Injury in Sports Group (SISG), and is currently a member of the writing group for the NATA
Emergency Action Planning in Athletics Position Statement and the US Lacrosse Facemask & Helmet Removal Position
Statement. Darryl was awarded the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2023, was named as a Distinguished Athletic Trainer by the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society (MATS) in 2022, a Most
Distinguished Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) in 2019 and was recognized by the
College Athletic Trainers’ Society (CATS) in 2018 with the prestigious Quality of Life Award. Darryl was also recognized by the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches Association (WCGA) as the Northeast Regional Administrator of the Year in 2021, as well as received the University of Delaware Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement in 2012
Vince Del Valle, ATC
Vince Del Valle joined the Michigan State University athletic training staff in August 2017. After spending two years working with softball, he now oversees men’s soccer and assists with coverage of the Jenison Athletic Training Room. Del Valle also co-teaches and serves as a teaching assistant for graduate level manual medicine classes and is the co-advisor of MSU Athletic Training Club, formerly known as E-STIM. Del Valle received a B.S. in athletic training from Xavier University in 2014, then came to East Lansing to complete two years as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at MSU from 2014-2016. During his graduate assistantship, he provided coverage for men's soccer and wrestling in addition to serving as an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology. After his graduate assistantship, Del Valle completed a year of professional experience at Penn State University including clinical coverage with softball, fencing, and PSU Club Sports before returning to MSU as a full-time staff member.
LaGwyn Durden, ATC, Director of Sports Medicine, NCAA
LaGwyn Durden joined the NCAA as its first director of sports medicine in January 2018. In her role with the Sport Science Institute, Durden supports the NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline and Managing Director John Parsons in leading the SSI sports medicine service line. In the oversight of this line, she serves as the point of contact for the membership for a broad portfolio of topics including concussion, drug testing, nutrition, overuse injuries and periodization. She works alongside staff from the SSI prevention and health promotion, and strategic communication and education service lines in supporting the Association's nine strategic priorities for health and safety.
Durden earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise and sports sciences at the University of Florida. A long-time member of The University of Texas at Austin sports medicine staff, Durden previously served as UT’s associate athletics director for sports medicine, overseeing healthcare delivery to 17 Longhorns teams and coordinating women’s health and wellness programming. She served as a member of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games sports medicine staff. Durden also chaired the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.
Robert Fulton, ATC
Robert Fulton joined Oklahoma Athletics in August 2003 and now serves as Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Medicine. Since 2022, he has coordinated a dynamic team of medical professionals working in collaboration to support the entire spectrum of health and wellness needs for our athletes. Prior to his current role, he served as Associate Head Athletic Trainer with designated responsibility to men’s basketball and g0lf. From 2005-2019, Fulton served as primary medical provider for baseball with additional oversight of golf, wrestling, rowing, and tennis. Prior to joining full-time employment, Fulton served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer from August 2003 to July 2005 with women’s soccer and football. He arrived in Norman following a one-year internship for the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is an Oklahoma native who earned his Bachelor of Science from West Texas A&M University. He earned his Master of Science in Health and Exercise Science – from OU.
Fulton is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the College Athletic Trainers’ Society. He is member of the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision Athletic Trainer Advisory Board. He actively oversees the departments emergency preparedness program as an American Heart Association Basic Life Support instructor.
Outside of work, Fulton enjoys spending time and activities with his wife, Jamae, and daughters, Finley and Daelyn. He also enjoys traveling, attempting to golf, and snow skiing.
Rachel Geoghegan, DAT, ATC
Dr. Rachel Geoghegan (Go-hay-gan) is a clinical athletic trainer at Boston University. At BU, she serves as the Female Athlete and Pelvic Health Specialist on staff and coordinates care for the Women’s Lightweight Rowing team. Rachel has spent her athletic training career in the college/university setting at various levels across the country. She’s a Southern transplant to New England and has a clinical interest in normalizing conversations about pelvic health conditions common among the athletic population in an attempt to improve patient quality of life.
Geoghean came to BU after spending two years as an athletic trainer at Gonzaga University. Prior to her time in Spokane, she spent three years at Idaho State University as an adjunct professor and athletic trainer. From 2008-2012, Geoghegan served as an athletic trainer at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina and was promoted to head athletic trainer during the 2012-2013 school year. During her tenure at Newberry, Geoghegan traveled to a total of three NCAA National Championship Tournaments, one with Women’s Soccer and two with Volleyball. The South Carolina native has been a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer since 2006. She earned her bachelor’s in athletic training from Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina before earning a master’s in human resource development from Clemson University in 2008. While at Clemson she was the athletic trainer for the women’s rowing team and traveled to the NCAA National Championships with the team in 2008. Geoghegan is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the College Athletic Trainers’ Society. She is also a Certified CPR Instructor through the American Heart Association.
Emily Gibb, MA, ATC
Dylan Henry, Esq.
Dylan F. Henry is a partner in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department and co-chair of the Firm's Catastrophic Sports Injury and Defense Practice Group. He focuses his practice on business litigation, and he has represented clients in a variety of commercial disputes across a wide range of issues including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and fraudulent transfers, piercing the corporate veil and successor liability, partnership dissolution, professional malpractice, negligence and products liability, insurance defense, and employment practices. He also advises clients in their efforts to comply with their legal obligations and to avoid the pitfalls of litigation altogether. Dylan also counsels individuals, school systems, and organizations on catastrophic sports injury matters, the proper management of sport-related concussions and other sport-related injuries, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) matters. He frequently presents and has authored articles on these legal issues and how these individuals and institutions can minimize their risk of legal liability for sport-related injuries, and defend against lawsuits arising out of sport-related events.
Dylan is also a member of the firm’s Institutional Response Practice Group, which conducts Title IX investigations and advises institutions in responding to sex- and gender-based harassment and misconduct, and adjudicating student, employee, and management disputes. Dylan earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and served as an associate editor of The Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal. He received a B.S. degree and two academic minors in Business and Spanish, with distinction, from the Pennsylvania State University.
Dave Klossner, PhD, AT-Ret
David Klossner joined the University of Maryland athletics department in September 2013 after spending 10 years with the NCAA as Director of the NCAA Sport Science Institute.
Klossner, Associate Athletic Director - Director of Sports Medicine/Student-Athlete Welfare, leads Maryland’s sports medicine and oversees all programs implemented by the department’s nutritionist. Klossner serves as a National Office liaison to the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, the Association-wide committee charged with providing leadership on health and safety issues for the organigation’s members. In addition to his work with the NCAA, Klossner also represents the NCAA committees for the National Federation of State High School Associations, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, US Lacrosse, USA Baseball, and as a board member for National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). Klossner frequently presents on health and safety topics relevant to NCAA policy at national organization meetings, NCAA member conferences and meetings related to sports medicine.
Prior to the NCAA, Klossner was a faculty member at DePauw and South Florida while holding administrative duties as the Director of Athletic Training Education for both institutions. He has worked clinically as a certified athletic trainer providing athlete health care to high school, collegiate and professional athletes. He also served as an athletic trainer for the 1996 Athlanta Olympic Games. Klossner received his bachelor and master of science degrees at Indiana and his Ph.D from Ohio.
Jennifer Krizman is a research assistant professor at Northwestern University where she studies how both biology
and experience together influence the auditory, cognitive, and linguistic processes that listeners engage in to
understand speech in everyday settings. She also has an impressive research history including being recently
awarded grants from the American Hearing Research Foundation and National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders to continue her work.
Ashley Lynam, Esq.
Ashley R. Lynam is a partner in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department, member of the Firm’s Management Committee and Hiring Committee, and the Firm’s Co-Trustee of the U.S. Law Firm Group. Ashley serves as a trusted advisor and entrepreneurial advocate for her clients ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. She handles all aspects of litigation across the full range of corporate and contract disputes, as well as antitrust and trade secret counseling, personal injury disputes, executive compensation counseling and catastrophic event response. She has successfully first-chaired trials in all such areas. Known for her ability to creatively advocate, Ashley has handled the investigation, prosecution and defense of claims for clients including high profile commercial organizations, publicly-traded companies, sports teams, startups, technology companies, pharmaceutical companies, homeowners, hotels, educational institutions, charitable and social services organizations and more. Chair of the Firm’s Sexual Misconduct Liability Practice Group, Ashley approaches each matter with sensitivity to the nuanced and correlated legal issues that arise in ever-changing corporate, employment and educational environments. She is well-known for vigorously protecting her client’s confidentiality while nevertheless providing aggressive representation, given the sensitive nature of sexual misconduct claims. In addition to trying dozens of jury and bench trials, Ashley has also obtained successful resolutions via summary judgment and other motions, all while managing her client’s important privacy, public interest and policy concerns throughout litigation and resolution. Ashley has considerable experience in the analysis, implementation and evaluation of written sexual assault and molestation policies and procedures, as well as the proactive investigation of alleged sexual assault and representation of corporate representatives, current and former employees and independent contractors, and other witnesses for deposition and trial. She also provides wrap-around crisis management services to clients in the public, private, college and university setting, specializing in VAWA and Clery Act compliance as well as investigating, adjudicating, and advisory services under Title IX and student conduct policies. Ashley is certified by the SUNY Student Conduct Institute.
Ashley graduated summa cum laude as a business major from Villanova University and cum laude from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, where she was an executive member of the Moot Court Board. Ashley began her career as a rape prosecutor at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. She is currently a member of the Firm’s Management Committee, which serves to steer the business decisions of the Firm’s future. Ashley lives in Berwyn with her husband, Shane, their two daughters, Lilly and Violet, and dog, Dominic. She never misses a Villanova basketball game.
Jenny Moshak, MS, ATC, CSCS
Jenny Moshak, MS, ATC, CSCS, is currently serving as the treasurer and board member of the College Athletic Trainers’ Society. From 2014-2019 she provided rehabilitation and strength and conditioning services to the UMMC Basketball Club, a women’s professional team in Yekaterinburg Russia. She retired from the University of Tennessee in 2013 after a 24-year career leading the women’s athletics sports medicine department, primarily working with Lady Vol basketball. Her vision led to the creation of Team ENHANCE, a nutritional, mental and emotional wellness program that creates a healthy culture for Lady Vol student-athletes so they can succeed in their sports and in their lives.
Matt Nerrie, MS, LAT, ATC
Matt Nerrie is a Senior Athletic Trainer and Concussion Care Coordinator through Northwestern Medicine working
with Northwestern University students and student athletes to aid in detection and recovery of mild traumatic brain
injuries. Matt came to NU in the Fall of 2021 after spending 12 seasons over 14 years at the University of
Washington in Seattle as an Assistant AT, working primarily with the football and baseball programs. He graduated
from Michigan State University in 2008 with an MS in Kinesiology, and from the University of the Pacific in 2005
with a BA in Sport Science.
Sally Nogle, PhD, ATC
Longtime Spartan trainer and Hall of Famer Dr. Sally Nogle is in her 39th year as a member of the Michigan State athletic training staff. Nogle, who started at MSU in October 1983, is in her second year serving as the Director of Sports Medicine and oversees all of the athletic trainers and safety protocols for Michigan State Athletics. She was promoted to the position of head athletic trainer at Michigan State University on July 1, 2013, and worked primarily with the football team before moving into her current role as the Director of Sports Medicine. Nogle has helped coordinate and supervise the COVID-19 safety policies and procedures for MSU Athletics during the pandemic.
Prior to 2013, Nogle was previously the associate head athletic trainer working with the Spartan football team and the staff athletic trainer for the field hockey team, as well as the and men’s and women’s tennis teams.
Nogle was honored with the Tim Kerin Award at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri, in June 2015. The award recognizes one individual each year for outstanding service by an athletic trainer. The award itself is shaped like a three-leaf clover. Each leaf represents one of Tim Kerin’s finest qualities: service, dedication and integrity.
In June 2012, Nogle was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Hall of Fame. She was recognized in 2004 by receiving the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. She has also received the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 1999, the NATA Service Award in 1998, and the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame Award. In 2006, she was named a recipient of the Jack Breslin Outstanding Staff Award for Michigan State University. In April 2008, Nogle was honored with the San Diego State University Robert J. Moore Distinguished Alumnus Award.
She was also honored in March of 2012 with the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA) Outstanding Educator Award. The award recognizes those members who have significantly contributed to the education of the GLATA members through academic presentations, published manuscripts or editorials, and educational program development.
Nogle brings international and Olympic experience to the MSU staff. In 1984, she worked with volleyball at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and in 1985 and 1986, she worked at the U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals in Baton Rouge and Houston. Nogle was the athletic trainer for the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 1987 World University Games in Yugoslavia. She was also selected to work with the U.S. Rowing Team at the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea in 1988.
Nogle earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1979 and a master’s degree in 1983, both from San Diego State University, and her Ph.D. from MSU in 2001. Her research focused on the mastery of the NATA’s competencies and clinical proficiencies program. In addition to her sport responsibilities, she coordinates the mental health program for the student-athletes, inventory of pharmaceutical supplies and supervising the head-of-sport meetings for athletic training students.
Her family includes her husband Carlton, son, Bryce, and daughter, Tracy, who was a four-year letterwinner (2010-13) on the Spartan women’s basketball team.
Dr. Porter’s research investigates how humans learn/re-learn motor skills and how the human nervous system generates skillful movements. He is primarily interested in determining how factors such as virtual/augmented reality, engineered practice, human factors, skill level, cognitive load, decision making, and focusing of attention interact with motor skill learning and performance. His research has practical applications to various settings such as military/tactical mission planning and performance, patient rehabilitation, coaching education, competitive sport settings, and occupational training venues. He is an active member of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is currently an editorial board member for the Journal of Motor Learning and Development and the International Journal of Motor Control and Learning. His research has been funded by federal, state, and local agencies within the United States of America and abroad.
Don Reagan, DPT
Don Reagan practiced full time for a decade in out-patient orthopedics as a Physical Therapist whilst contemporaneously teaching at various institutions of higher education. He has had the distinct privilege of serving students in physical therapy, athletic training, & strength and conditioning curricula. Most recently he has been a full-time faculty member within the South College School of Physical Therapy in Knoxville, TN over the past four years. His experience in collegiate athletics includes consulting at the D1 level primarily in the ACC and serving on staff at the D2 and D3 level.
Ralph Reiff, MEd, ATC, LAT
Ralph Reiff, a certified athletic trainer and current Butler University’s Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Student- Athlete Health, Performance and Well-Being, has been designated by many as a leader in athlete management. Since 1981 Ralph has been athlete focused in the delivery of sports medicine and performance development. His efforts have earned him a national reputation as an innovator and leader.
Ralph started his career as athletic trainer for Butler University in Indianapolis where he managed the athlete health care, weight room and equipment for all sports. Ralph was also an Instructor with dual appointments to the College of Pharmacy and the College of Education and developed the athletic trainer curriculum at Butler. During his tenure at Butler he was selected to provide sports medicine to many national and international sporting events and professional athletes. Ralph has managed the medical aspects of over twenty-five (25) NCAA events, including five (5) Men’s Final Four Basketball Championships, the 1988 and 1996 US Track & Field Olympic Trials, 2003 World Basketball Championships, Medical Director for the 2004 FINA Swimming World Championships and the 2007 & 2006 USA Track Outdoor Championships.
Ralph was Manager of Athlete Care for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. This selection took Ralph to Atlanta for eighteen months of planning, implementation and management of all medical and performance operations for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. Ralph recently developed and activated the first Athlete Recovery Center at the 2016 Olympic Games of Rio. Ralph is no stranger to Olympic events as he was selected by the United States Olympic Committee for the 1987 US Olympic Festival, numerous USA Basketball team selection events and was Head Athletic Trainer for the Gold Medal winning USA Basketball Team at the 1989 World University Games in Germany, 2006 USA Track & Field championship team at the DecaNation Meet in Paris and the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championship USA Teams.
Ralph has published several articles on the medical management of sporting events and was a co-author for the Position Statement for Hydration for Athletes for the National Athletic Trainers Association. Ralph is in high demand by the medical and athlete community for his assessment and return to play management of athlete injuries. Ralph has personally managed or consulted on medical and performance issues for athletes in the NFL, NBA, Motor Sports and USA Olympic athletes of varied sports. Ralph has a U.S Patent pending on a sweat rate and sweat analysis process.
As a business leader and Executive Director of Sports Performance for St. Vincent Hospital of Indianapolis Ralph developed the first downstream revenue measurement process currently utilized by sports medicine groups and hospitals across the country. In 2001 Ralph opened the doors of St Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis. His leadership is applauded by internal and external audiences for his results and his athlete centered culture.
Designated as a Sagamore of the Wabash by then Indiana Governor Robert Orr for his contributions to the welfare of the citizens of Indiana, Ralph has also been inducted into the University of Indianapolis Athletics Hall of Fame, Butler University Athletics Hall of Fame, Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame and has also been recognized as a Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer from the National Athletic Trainers Association. In 2006 the Honorable United States Senator Richard Lugar recognized Ralph with a special citation for his health efforts in the State of Indiana.
He is the father of three children; Alex, Betsy and Elliott and has been married 41 years to University of Indianapolis alum Brenda S. Catt Reiff, the youngest daughter of noted Indiana high school athletic director Howard Catt. Ralph was born in Warsaw, Indiana to Robert and Patricia Reiff and was raised on a farm in North Webster, IN. Ralph is a graduate of Wawasee High School and a first generation college graduate. Ralph and his wife Brenda are University of Indianapolis graduates. Ralph is the author of A Field Guide to Athlete Performance – The 24 Hour Athlete. Ralph was an on air talent for the Big East Digital Network (BEDN) working primarily Women’s Basketball. Ralph was the television analyst for Butler University basketball for four (4) seasons including the 2010 and 2011 Final Four seasons. Prior to television Ralph was analyst on the radio broadcast team for Butler University basketball from 1999 – 2006 along side accomplished broadcaster Chris Denari. He is an expert contributor to Sirius Radio’s NFL Rewind with Jack Arute. Ralph is an active member of the Indianapolis community and a significant volunteer for the Wheeler Mission Ministries of Indianapolis.
Yvette Rooks, MD
The University of Maryland (UMD) appointed Yvette L. Rooks, M.D., to serve as Head Team Physician and Assistant Director in the University Health Center on August 21, 2019. In these roles, Dr. Rooks will lead the UHC’s newly-created sports medicine department, and serve as the primary care clinician and sports medicine specialist to UMD student-athletes, and to the campus as needed. She will oversee all aspects of sports medicine, including athletic training, sports nutrition, and sports psychology.
This position is part of the university’s transition to a model of autonomous and patient-centered care for student-athletes. This is a model in which the athletic medical staff, including the lead team physician, athletic trainers, nutritionists and mental health practitioners, are employed outside of and operate independently of the athletics department, as part of the University Health Center in the Division of Student Affairs.
Dr. Rooks comes to the university from RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s most comprehensive academic health care system and the official health care provider for Rutgers University athletics, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer for athletics at Rutgers. In this role, she provides leadership and clinical care in both sports medicine and primary care for all Rutgers student-athletes. Previously, Dr. Rooks served for nearly two decades as a team physician at the University of Maryland.
During her time at UMD, Dr. Rooks also served in many roles at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, including Assistant Professor, Residency Program Director and Executive Vice Chairman for the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Dr. Rooks is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians; American Medical Society for Sports Medicine; and College Athletic Trainers Association; and is an Executive Board Member of the College Athletic Trainers Society. She is certified under the American Board of Family Medicine.
She has earned a number of honors and awards in her career, including Baltimore Magazine’s Top Doctors Recognition; UMB Presidents’ Founders Day Award for Public Servant of the Year; John M. Dennis Award for Commitment to Rural Health Medical Education; and Faculty Teaching Award, awarded by Family Medicine Residents for contributions to resident education. In addition, she was a speaker at a White House Initiative on Men’s Health in 2016.
Dr. Rooks earned a B.S. in biology and chemistry from State University of New York at Albany, and M.D. from the Health Science Center at Syracuse. She completed her residency at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she served as Chief Resident and was a fellow in the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Division of Sports Medicine.
Kimberly Sachs, Esq.
Kimberly L. Sachs is an associate in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department. She focuses her practice on catastrophic sports injury defense and other complex litigation matters involving commercial disputes, products liability, and intellectual property. Kim practices in both federal and state court at the trial and appellate levels. She has experience at all stages of litigation, from drafting pleadings and facilitating pre-trial discovery to arguing dispositive motions and drafting appellate briefs. Kim has tried cases at both the state and federal levels and has drafted a petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. Kim currently serves as a co-editor of Sports Medicine and Law, a quarterly newsletter that is a complete source for news, case summaries, articles, and strategies concerning legal issues arising at the professional, collegiate, high school, and amateur sport levels. She presents and authors articles on legal issues surrounding the proper management of sport-related concussions, sport-related injuries, and other traumatic brain injury matters. Most recently, Kim presented on using expert witnesses to prove or challenge the existence and extent of brain damage in traumatic brain injury cases at a continuing legal education webinar.
Prior to joining Montgomery McCracken, Kim was a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Juan R. Sanchez in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and a Legal Extern in the Villanova University Office of the Vice President and General Counsel. While in law school, Kim served as a managing editor for the Villanova Law Review.
Kim received a J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law where she was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as the Managing Editor of Research & Writing of the Villanova Law Review. She received a B.A. degree, with distinction, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Billy Samuel LADC
Bryan Schneider, MEd, ATC, LAT
Bryan Schneider joined JMU as the head football trainer and oversees the overall physical and mental health of the football team. Schneider previously served a stint at Western Kentucky in a similar role, primarily working with the football team as the head athletic trainer from 2013-18. He had prior stops at Texas Tech, Auburn and in the NFL, working with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans.
Schneider completed his undergraduate degree at Texas State in 2008 where he received a Bachelor of Science in athletic training. He then received a Master of Education with a concentration in sports management from Auburn in 2010.
Steve Smith, DAT, AT, ATC
Steve Smith, DAT, AT, ATC is currently an Associate Athletic Trainer at the University of Michigan working with the football program. Steve has been a certified athletic trainer for 16 years and has spent his entire career in the collegiate setting. After completing his undergraduate in Athletic Training at Northern Michigan University, he went to obtain a master degree from Grand Valley State University, and a Doctorate in Athletic Training from Indiana State University. Steve is currently Vice President of the Michigan Athletic Trainers society and also serves on the advocacy group for the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association.
Sheri Walters, PT, PhD, DPT, MS, SCS, ATC, CSCS
Dr. Sheri Walters joined the Athletics Department in January 2020. In her role as the Director of PT and Olympic Sports Athletic Training, she works directly with the 17 Olympic Sports programs to provide comprehensive healthcare, including the provision of physical therapy services across all sports.
Prior to joining A&M, Sheri served as an assistant professor at A.T. Still University in the Department of Kinesiology. She also serves as a consultant to USA Women’s Ice Hockey (PT/ATC), including during the 2018 Olympic Games. She served as the strength and conditioning coach for the US Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program and as a consulting medical provider with US Paralympic Track and Field since 2011. She was invited by the USOPC to assist with the delivery of medical care in London 2012 and Rio 2016. Prior to her appointment at A.T. Still, Sheri served as the Director of Performance Physical Therapy at EXOS - Athletes’ Performance, where she provided rehab services to the NFL Combine Prep groups, NFL Trust, current NFL players, MLB/MiLB, NBA, WNBA, collegiate, and high school athletes. Prior to joining Athletes’ Performance, Sheri served as the Head Athletic Trainer and Rehabilitation Coordinator at Indiana State University. She has also worked at the Medical Center of Arlington which provided rehab services to the Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, Fort Worth Flyers, Dallas Baptist University, and local high schools.
Sheri successfully defended her PhD dissertation at Texas Woman’s University and received her DPT from the University of St Augustine, her Master of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in athletic training from the University of Florida while working with the Gator Football and Women’s Golf teams. Sheri served as the assistant athletic trainer for the WNBA’s Detroit Shock prior to attending Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation with an emphasis in Athletic Training from East Central University.
Originally from Wapanucka, Oklahoma, Sheri currently resides in Bryan-College Station. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends in the great outdoors.
Brian Werner, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder surgery, including both arthroscopic and open reconstructive surgery of the shoulder and knee. He focuses on all sports and athletic injuries, and has a particular clinical interest in shoulder replacement and ligament reconstruction of the knee. Dr. Werner also performs arthroscopic treatment of shoulder instability (labrum repair), rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair and transplant, among many other sports medicine procedures.
Dr. Werner earned his B.S. in chemical engineering from Penn State and his medical degree from Wake Forest. He came to UVA for his internship, research fellowship and orthopedic surgery residency. He then completed a fellowship in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he was a team physician for the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls. He returned to Charlottesville in 2016, joining the UVA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an assistant professor. He also serves as a team physician for James Madison University.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Werner has a significant interest in both clinical and basic science research, and has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers on a wide variety of orthopedic topics. He has presented his research both regionally and nationally over 250 times and won numerous national awards. His research interests include clinical outcomes after knee and shoulder surgery, biomechanical studies in the knee and shoulder, shoulder arthroplasty and cartilage injury and repair.
Outside of work, Dr. Werner enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, Benjamin and Wyatt. He is an avid runner who has completed many marathons and continues to train for both marathon and half marathon distances. He also enjoys golf.
About our societyFounded for college and university athletic trainers and healthcare professionals who provide and manage healthcare for the intercollegiate student-athlete. Our members are dedicated to the delivery of quality healthcare and ensuring the health and safety of our student-athletes. |