Thinking Globally:
Recruiting Internationally and Identifying Partners for Clinical Experiences

In this episode, our panel discusses the international opportunities within our profession through the lens of collaborative partnerships and international experiences within academic institutions. We discuss common challenges, themes that resonate across the globe and how the Athletic Therapy/Training profession continues to erase borders through impactful relationships and opportunities.

Panel:
Dr. Aoife Burke is an Assistant Professor in the Athletic Training programme at Dublin City University, Ireland. She is currently acting as Chair and Clinical Education Coordinator at DCU, while serving as chair of the Accreditation Committee within Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI).

Dr. Valerie Herzog is the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She also serves as the District 7 representative on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Directors.

Dr. Jim Mensch is the Athletic Training Program Director at the UNiversity of South Carolina, where he has served for the past 23 years.

Coordinated by:
Matt Lewis, Chair of WFATT Academic Institutions Committee
He is the Athletic Training Program Director at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

WFATT Impact Award Winners Series, Part 5 of 5:
Award Winner: Gal Zmora

Gal is a certified sports therapist and athletic trainer, pursuing a rigorous academic path, completing a B.Sc. in Athletic Training/Sports Therapy with honors through a collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington. He specializes in personal training, medical sports techniques, and sports rehabilitation. He has managed a physiotherapy department and led educational programs for athletes to date. His research focuses on the psycho-social well-being of wheelchair basketball players, reflecting his commitment to improving athletic care across all abilities.

Gal currently directs content development for the Israeli Association of Athletic Training and Sports Rehabilitation (ISRAT), contributing to advancements in sports medicine.

Nominator: Orbital Hadar
Is a seasoned Athletic Therapist renowned for her ability to empower clients to excel in their athletic pursuits. With diverse experience in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and athlete development, she brings a unique blend of expertise to my practice. She began with a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Therapy from Sheridan College Institute in Canada, honed skills with training in holistic Swedish and medical massage at Reidman College in Israel. At Kiryat Ono College, OritaI plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Sports Therapy in Israel by imparting knowledge to aspiring therapists and educating students in the clinic and on the field.

WFATT Impact Award Winners Series, Part 4 of 5:
Award Winner: Kerri Downer
Kerri has been the Head Athletic Therapist at Mount Royal University since 2018. She has worked with football, hockey, rugby, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and field hockey teams at various universities in Ontario and Alberta since 2001

Kerri also works part time as a Clinical Assistant at the Benson Concussion Institute, located in the Markin MacPhail Centre at Winsport.

Nominator: Mark Lafave, PhD, CAT (C)
Mark is the current Program Coordinator in Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University. He has been instrumental in the profession and in developing the design and development of the clinic and athletic therapy program at MRU.