Dr. Patricia Aronson will be inducted into the Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (VATA) Hall of Fame in January and Dr. Debbie Bradney will be named Educator of the Year.
Two students and three faculty members will also be presenting at the annual meeting, to be held Jan. 14 in Short Pump, Va.
Natalie Reigh ’12 has been selected to present her senior research project on “Supplement Use and Knowledge in Division III Athletes” to the overall conference, while Lucas Bianco ’12 has been selected to present his senior research project on “Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Dynamic Balance” for the student portion of the conference.
Dr. Tim Laurent, associate dean for academic affairs, Dr. Aronson, and Tom Bowman, assistant professor of athletic training, will also be presenting at the meeting. Dr. Laurent will be speaking on “Athletic Training Develops Transferable Leadership Skills.” Dr. Aronson will present “Study Abroad Opportunities for the Athletic Training Major.” Bowman will be speaking on “Leadership in Athletic Training.”
Hall of Fame
Dr. Patricia Aronson, professor of athletic training, has shown “a continuous thread of dedication and excellence,” according to Dr. Laurent, who nominated her for the Hall of Fame.
Dr. Aronson single-handedly started the athletic training program at LC, teaching virtually every athletic training subject.
Dr. Aronson has served on several local, regional, and national committees to enhance the profession, which she entered as an undergraduate student at Canisius College. There, she combined her athletic ability in basketball with her dedication to athletic training.
Her experience as a clinician, professor, and involved member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has led to past accolades, including the NATA Athletic Training Service Award in 1998 and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2004.
“Dr. Aronson is a respected colleague deserving of all the appreciation we can bestow upon her,” Dr. Laurent said in his nomination letter. “She has educated generations of students, making each student feel special. She has cared for generations of athletes giving, each patient the attention needed to recover from injury. And, she has served every level of the athletic training profession making each of those groups top priority in helping them meet their challenges.”
Educator of the Year
Dr. Debbie Bradney, associate professor of athletic training, has served as both athletic trainer and professor. She has served as coordinator of clinical education and is now department chair.
“Under Dr. Bradney’s leadership the department continues to excel,” Dr. Laurent wrote about her in his nomination. “The faculty are happy with her vision and support. The students are happy with the top quality education they are receiving. Evidence of this is the continued growth experienced in athletic training over the past several years.”
Dr. Bradney continues to advance her expertise by attending athletic training and pedagogy conferences. She serves as a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) site reviewer. In this volunteer role she stays current on all education issues and is able to discuss education techniques with colleagues throughout the country.
“She is one of the most personable professors I have ever known,” Dr. Laurent said. “She is an exceptional professional dedicated to improving athletic training education not only for her students, but for all students.”
