SLU Athletic Training Enjoys a Unique Partnership with National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research Journals

For eight years, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training program has been in the unique position of hosting the journal editorial offices for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). Published monthly, the Journal of Athletic Training is a peer-reviewed journal showcasing the latest research studies pertaining to the athletic training profession, keeping readers up to date on scientific advancements that define professional standards of care. Additionally, the NATA editorial staff publishes the Athletic Training Education Journal. The NATA journals have a three-person staff led by managing editor Leslie Neistadt, ELS, and including editors Jessica Ingle and Susan Sunderman.

This relationship between the Journal of Athletic Training and SLU’s Athletic Training program has opened the door to collaboration between the journal and students. Each year, Neistadt connects a SLU AT student with the winners of the journal’s Research and Education Foundation awards so the student can write a biographical profile on the winner. The Research and Education Foundation awards include: The Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research; The New Investigator Award Presented in Honor of Freddie H. Fu, MD; The Doctoral Dissertation Award Presented in Honor of David H. Perrin, Ph.D., AT Ret, FNATA, FACSM. The students interview each award recipient about his or her career path and research and draft profiles that appear in the proceedings book at the NATA annual conference.

SLU Athletic Training alumna Allison Stefan, MAT, ATC, was one of the students who had the opportunity to work with the Journal of Athletic Training and found the experience to be incredibly rewarding.

“It was an amazing opportunity to collaborate with the Journal of Athletic Training to help publish biographies about their award winners,” Stefan said. “I had such a positive experience with the staff from the journal as well as learning from the award winners I interviewed.”

Amelia Meigs, MAT, LAT, ATC, was another alumna who was able to collaborate with the Journal of Athletic Training and she explained some lessons she learned interviewing the award-winning researchers.

“I learned there are many paths to greatness and that each individual athletic trainer I interviewed for their awards did it their own way,” Meigs said. “By using my unique strengths and talents, I can make a contribution to athletic training that I believe is important to the profession.” As a professional, Meigs is now participating in a research project about suicide prevention among athletic trainers and credits her work with the Journal of Athletic Training as a major motivating factor for getting involved in research.

SLU Athletic Training Program Director Anthony Breitbach, Ph.D., ATC, FASAHP, FNAP, explained is honored that the program has this unique relationship with the Journal of Athletic Training.

“It has been such a privilege to host the NATA Journals at SLU. Leslie and her team are an important part of our community,” Dr. Breitbach said. “We especially appreciate the opportunity to connect our students with the award honorees and their excellent scholarly accomplishments.”

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.