Tamara C. Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, is the Athletic Training program director, professor of Athletic Training, research professor in the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and the John P. Wood, DO, endowed chair for Sports Medicine at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. McLeod completed her doctor of philosophy degree in education with an emphasis in sports medicine from the University of Virginia. She is the founding director of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network. Her research has focused on the pediatric athlete with respect to sport-related concussion. Her current work is investigating the short- and long-term effects of pediatric sports concussion as well as recovery following concussion on traditional concussion assessments, academics, and health-related quality of life.

Dr. McLeod is also involved with pediatric sports injury education and prevention through the Positive Play Project in conjunction with Mesa Parks and Recreation.

Dr. McLeod was a contributing author for the NATA Position Statement on the Management of Sport-Related Concussion, the lead author on the NATA Position Statement on the Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries, and a consultant and contributing author on the Appropriate Medical Coverage for Secondary School-Aged Athletes. Dr. McLeod serves on numerous editorial boards, and publishes frequently in the athletic training and sports medicine journals and is a NATA Fellow.​

Alison Snyder Valier, PhD, ATC, FNATA, holds the positions of Professor within the Department of Athletic Training and Assistant Director of Research Support at A.T. Still University (ATSU). She received her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Whitman College in Washington and a master of science degree in exercise physiology at the University of Toledo in Ohio. In addition, she received her doctorate in exercise science from the University of Toledo, where she majored in applied physiology and completed a minor in human anatomy. Dr. Valier completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Clinical Outcomes Research, awarded to her by the NATA Research and Education Foundation. She is actively involved in the instruction of students enrolled in the Post-Professional Masters in Athletic Training and the Doctor of Athletic Training programs at ATSU. Alison's extensive research proficiency encompasses Clinical Outcomes Assessment, with a distinct emphasis on leveraging Patient Reported Outcomes Instruments to facilitate informed clinical decision-making. Her scholarly pursuits also span social determinants of health and their impact on individuals leading physically active lives, epidemiology of athletic injuries, and enhancing healthcare quality. Throughout her career, Alison has demonstrated a dedicated commitment to the advancement of the Athletic Training field. Her contributions include holding pivotal roles such as Chair of the NATA Foundation Pronouncements Committee and membership in the NATA Foundation Research Committee. She has also served as a reviewer for the Journal of Athletic Training, Athletic Training and Sports Health Care, and the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. Dr. Valier has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of Athletic Training, earning her the distinction of being named a Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2022.

Dr. Anderson is a Tenured Professor in the ATSU Athletic Training programs. He teaches a variety of courses in both the online DAT and MSAT programs, with a focus on developing clinical skills and athletic training clinical education Dr. Anderson also advises doctoral applied research projects in the DAT program. Dr Anderson holds a Level 1 Functional Movement Screen™ certification, and is an accredited Graston Technique™ clinician. He has extensive experience and training in therapeutic exercise prescription, fundamental movement patterns, and manual therapy techniques.

Prior to coming to ATSU, Dr. Anderson worked full-time clinically for 10 years as an athletic trainer in the collegiate, high school, and clinical settings. Dr. Anderson's research interests include the assessment and correction of fundamental movement patterns, the development of clinical reasoning skills and advanced clinical practice, and athletic training clinical education. Dr. Anderson is the Chair of the CAATE Standards Committee, and a member of the CAATE Professional Accreditation Council. He is also a member of the Association for Athletic Training Education (AATE) Research Network, and serves as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. Dr. Anderson earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training from Missouri State University, his Masters of Science in Sports Health Care from A.T. Still University, and his Doctor of Health Science degree from Nova Southeastern University. He has been recognized as the Arizona School of Health Sciences Educator of the Year (2016), Distinguished Service of the Year (2019), and Scholar of the Year (2021); named a Distinguished Educator by the RMATA in 2019, and received the NATA Service Award in 2018.

Cailee E. Welch Bacon, PhD, ATC, FNATA is professor in the Department of Athletic Training Programs and a research professor in the Department of Basic Science in the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona at A.T. Still University. Dr. Bacon earned her bachelor of science degree in athletic training from Boston University, followed by a master of science in education degree in athletic training from Old Dominion University. She also earned her doctor of philosophy degree in human movement science with a focus in athletic training curriculum and instruction from Old Dominion University, where she investigated the effectiveness of educational techniques to aid athletic trainers in learning the fundamentals of evidence-based practice. Dr. Bacon completed a post-doctoral research fellowship within the Center for Clinical Outcome Studies at A.T. Still University, which focused on patient-oriented outcomes. Dr. Bacon serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Athletic Training Editorial Board and the Athletic Training Education Journal, and is a contributing scholar for the Association for Athletic Training Education Research Network. Dr. Bacon also serves as the Associate Director for the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN), where she primarily oversees the continuing education platform and the cost-free academic electronic medical record (AEMR). Dr. Bacon’s research agenda seeks to understand how the educational outcomes of health professions education programs shape and guide the practice patterns of healthcare professionals. The long term goal of her research is to determine key elements that drive the successful educational outcomes of professional and post-professional athletic training programs to ensure future generations of athletic trainers are able to effectively provide athletic training services to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. In 2023, Dr. Bacon was named a Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Sue Falsone, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, ATC, L-AT, CSCS, COMT, RYT, is an associate professor in ATSU-ASHS Athletic Training program. She teaches courses within the athletic training Master of Science degree program and online courses in orthopaedic rehabilitation foundation within the online Doctor of Athletic Training program. She also serves as a clinician scientist within the school’s Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network. Dr. Falsone’s many accomplishments include being the first female head athletic trainer in any of the four major American professional sports leagues, when she was named the head athletic trainer for the LA Dodgers in 2012. She also served as the head of athletic training and sport performance for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. She is currently serving as the Director of Movement and Return to Performance for the Houston Texans. She is known internationally for her expertise in sport rehabilitation and performance enhancement and bridging between physical therapy and return to sport. An alumna of Daemen College, Dr. Falsone graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a master’s degree in human movement science; is owner and founder of Structure and Function Education, an educational company working to bring the concepts, philosophies and techniques of dry needling to the allied healthcare professional.

Kellie C. Huxel Bliven, PhD, ATC is a professor and director of clinical anatomy in the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. She also is a core faculty in the Physical Therapy Department and has an appointment in ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health where she co-teaches musculoskeletal and head & neck anatomy courses. Previously, Dr. Bliven has been a faculty member in ATSU’s Kinesiology (formerly human movement) and Athletic Training programs, as well as the Athletic Training Department at Indiana State University. Dr. Bliven’s current line of research on understanding and improving shoulder function and health addresses four areas: mechanisms of shoulder stability, muscle activation during rehabilitation, adaptations in the throwing shoulder, and health-related quality of life in throwing athletes. In addition to her faculty responsibilities, Dr. Bliven serves as the director of the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory and as the vice chair of the Institutional Review Board at ATSU-Mesa campus. She is the editor of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation and serves on professional committees such as the BOC Exam Development Committee. Dr. Bliven received her bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education from Denison University in Granville, Ohio; master’s degree in kinesiology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.; and doctoral degree in kinesiology with an athletic training emphasis from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Nicolette “Nikki” Harris, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS serves as an Assistant Professor and the Director of Student Recruitment for the Athletic Training Programs at A.T. Still University. An alumna of the ATSU Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program, Dr. Harris brings a wealth of clinical experience to this role. Prior to arriving to ATSU, she spent six years as the Coordinator for Athletic Training Services for Florida International University (FIU) where she worked to enhance the health care services provided to both FIU students and campus recreation participants. In addition, she served three years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Miami Booker T. Washington Senior High school providing care to secondary school athletes during their pursuit of four State Championship Titles. 

In addition to her clinical practice, she has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Preceptor to athletic training students. Nikki actively engages in professional service at all levels, currently sitting as the NATA Career Advancement Committee (CAC) Chair Elect, the BOC Liaison to the Athletic Training Research Agenda Committee (ATRAC) as well as a member of the CAATE Education Committee. Dr. Harris values the effects of research on practice and education and has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice through her scholarly works. 

Kelsey Picha, PhD, AT, is assistant professor of clinical anatomy in the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Dr. Picha earned her bachelor of athletic training degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, followed by a master of science degree in post-professional athletic training from A.T. Still University (ATSU). She also earned her doctor of philosophy degree in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky, where she worked as a research assistant in the Sports Medicine Research Institute. During her time at the University of Kentucky, she investigated patient adherence and self-efficacy for home exercise programs. Dr. Picha completed a post-doctoral research fellowship within Research Support at ATSU, which focused on patient-oriented outcomes. Dr. Picha currently serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee through the Arizona Athletic Trainers Association and serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Sports Rehabilitation. Her research interests are in the areas of the patient adherence to rehabilitation and social determinants of health in athletic healthcare.

Kenny Lam, ScD, ATC, FNATA is a professor of clinical research within the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at A.T. Still University (ATSU). He received a bachelor of science in athletic training and a master of education in human movement from Boston University. He also completed his doctor of science degree from Boston University with a focus on movement sciences. Prior to becoming a faculty member at ATSU, Dr. Lam completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship within the Center of Clinical Outcomes Studies at ATSU with a focus on patient-oriented outcomes research. His current line of research seeks to understand the overall impact of sport-related lower extremity injuries on patient-oriented outcomes such as health-related quality of life. In addition to his faculty responsibilities, Dr. Lam serves as the director of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN) and as the vice chair of the Institutional Review Board at ATSU - Mesa campus. He also serves as a member of the Research Committee for the NATA Foundation, a member of the Athletic Training Research Committee of the NATA Foundation, and an editorial board member for the Journal of Athletic Training and Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. In 2022, Dr. Lam was named a Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Prior to earning his doctorate, Dr. Lam practiced as a certified athletic trainer at Boston University, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Tamara C. Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, is the Athletic Training program director, professor of Athletic Training, research professor in the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and the John P. Wood, DO, endowed chair for Sports Medicine at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. McLeod completed her doctor of philosophy degree in education with an emphasis in sports medicine from the University of Virginia. She is the founding director of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network. Her research has focused on the pediatric athlete with respect to sport-related concussion. Her current work is investigating the short- and long-term effects of pediatric sports concussion as well as recovery following concussion on traditional concussion assessments, academics, and health-related quality of life.

Dr. McLeod is also involved with pediatric sports injury education and prevention through the Positive Play Project in conjunction with Mesa Parks and Recreation.

Dr. McLeod was a contributing author for the NATA Position Statement on the Management of Sport-Related Concussion, the lead author on the NATA Position Statement on the Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries, and a consultant and contributing author on the Appropriate Medical Coverage for Secondary School-Aged Athletes. Dr. McLeod serves on numerous editorial boards, and publishes frequently in the athletic training and sports medicine journals and is a NATA Fellow.​

Dr. Ann Lee Burch is the dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS). Dr. Burch received her doctor of education from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2005. She received her masters of public health from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health in 2002 and her masters of physical therapy from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1989. She was a postdoctoral fellow with the Research Group on Health Disparities at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her BA is in psychology from the University of Rochester.

Prior to her appointment as dean, Dr. Burch served as vice dean for ATSU-ASHS. She served as the chair of the Physical Therapy Department from 2008-January 2012. Prior to ATSU, Dr. Burch was the director of physical therapy at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has held administrative and/or faculty positions at the International Center for the Disabled in NY, NY, Mercy College in NY, and Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.

Dr. Burch’s area of scholarly interest and application of that interest is in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of health care providers and healthcare professional students towards underrepresented patient/client groups.

Dr. Burch is the author of a Guide to Physical Therapy (Vault Publishers) which was written to increase information access about physical therapy to both high school graduates and re-entry adults. She was a co-investigator on an NIH grant at the University of Puerto Rico exploring the feasibility of an exercise program for breast cancer survivors living in San Juan.  Dr. Burch has lived in Symi, Greece, Taipei, Taiwan, Ahmdebad, India and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is committed to research, teaching and service that further the understanding of the impact of socioeconomic and cultural variables on health.

She was a member of the class of 2014 cohort of Women in Educational Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2017 she was the co-PI on a Centers for Disease Control, Association for Prevention and Teaching grant exploring a population health case study format for teaching and communicating the impact of social determinants of health on health disparities. She was recently appointed a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission.  

Dr. Salas-Provance, is professor and vice dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS). Dr. Salas-Provance received her doctorate in speech science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She received her masters of health administration from the University of Missouri School of Medicine-Columbia. She holds both a bachelors and masters in Speech Pathology from New Mexico State University.

Prior to her appointment as vice dean, Dr. Salas-Provance served as associate dean of academic and student affairs for the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. She served as assistant dean and chair in the College of Education, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico and department chair in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Montevallo (AL). She held faculty positions at Fontbonne College and St. Louis University, in St. Louis, MO.

She has made extensive professional contributions to the American, Speech, Language & Hearing Association (ASHA), serving on the Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council, member of the Financial Planning Board, and the Multicultural Issues Board. She served as coordinator of ASHA’s Special Interest Group (SIG) 14, Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations and was a founding member and coordinator of SIG 17, Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is an ASHA Fellow and received ASHA’s highest awards for “Special Recognition in Multicultural Affairs” and “Outstanding Contributions in International Achievement.”

Dr.Salas-Provance has served as a clinical educator throughout her academic career, especially related to children with cleft lip and palate. She is a member of an international medical team with Rotaplast International and has traveled worldwide for over 15 years to provide clinical services to children with cleft palate. She implemented a program for graduate students in speech pathology to provide clinical services in Spanish to children with cleft palate in Lima, Peru. In addition to Lima, Peru she has provided clinical services in China, Bangladesh, Philippines, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Venezuela.

Dr. Salas-Provance is coauthor of the textbook Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech-Language and Hearing Science (Plural Publishing, 2019) which meets the needs for training students in healthcare professions regarding practice with individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Her research is focused on attitudes towards disability by diverse populations and addressing the use of language interpreters during healthcare and educational encounters.

Over the past ten years she has lectured extensively to international audiences, both in English and Spanish, including as invited speaker for the Congreso Internacional en Trastornos de la Comunicacion at Escuela de Fonoaudiologia (Speech Language Pathology / Audiology) de la Universidad de Talca, Chile and for the Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, Lima, Peru, Endoscopic Evaluation of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction. She was invited keynote speaker for the First International Congress in Speech-Language Pathology and Orthodontics in the area of cleft lip and palate in Lima, Peru.

Dr. Salas-Provance was selected for the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Leadership Program and attended the National Women’s Leadership Forum in Washington DC (2017) for advancing female executives in higher education.

Kaylynn Schmitt is the administrative assistant for the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Ms. Schmitt brings over 5 years of administrative and clerical experience to our program. She assists the program director, faculty and administrative manager with the administration responsibilities for both the Doctors in Athletic Training and Masters in Athletic Training programs.