ATSU Professor Wins National Award for Athletic Trainer Research

Kenny Lam, a professor in A.T. Still University-Arizona's Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, received the 2025 Clint Thompson Award for Clinical Practice Advancement from the Journal of Athletic Training.

Lam and his research team analyzed how quickly secondary school athletes receive evaluations from athletic trainers after acute injuries. Using data from ATSU's Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network, they found that nearly half of injured athletes saw a trainer the same day. However, wait times varied based on athlete sex, sport level, and injury location.

The team presented the findings at a national NATA press conference on youth sport safety in January. Co-authors include Madison N. Renner, Emily C. Srygler, Stephanie N. Adler, Jennifer S. Chambers, and David R. Bell. They will accept the award at the NATA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this month.

This marks Lam's fourth Clint Thompson Award as a named author. Faculty in ATSU's Departments of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and Athletic Training have won the award eight times since 2008.