July 15, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Eric McDonnell, ATC, has been selected a recipient of the National Athletic Trainers' Association's 2010 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer (MDAT) award. McDonnell just completed his 27th year as an athletic trainer in the athletic department at Mizzou. McDonnell holds a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from the University of Missouri.

This award recognizes outstanding dedication and service to the athletic training profession. Candidates for the award have been recognized for service to the profession of athletic training at the local, state, national and/or international level; have exhibited distinguished service as a certified athletic trainer; and have been recognized for unique contributions to the profession of athletic training.

"Dedication, innovation, loyalty and leadership are common traits among MDAT recipients," said National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Executive Director Eve Becker-Doyle, CAE. "Those who receive the honor serve as an inspiration to their peers and as role models to the next generation of certified athletic trainers."

"Eric is richly deserving of the award," said NATA Honors & Awards Committee Chair Rochel Rittgers, ATC. "Eric has dedicated his career to providing quality health care services and to the betterment of the athletic training profession."

McDonnell currently serves as NATA Governmental Affairs Chair nationally and is President of NATA District Five (Mid America Athletic Trainers Association). McDonnell was inducted in the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association's Sports Medicine Hall of Fame in 2003.

The MDAT presentation was presented on June 24, 2010, at NATA's 61st Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia in Philadelphia.

National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) - Health Care for Life & Sport: Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 30,000 members of the athletic training profession. Only 42 percent of high schools have access to athletic trainers. NATA members adhere to a code of ethics. NATA supports the right of all patients to have equal access to the services of athletic trainers through the Athletic Trainers' Equal Access to Medicare Act (H.R. 1137). Visit www.nata.org