Ronnie Harper, PhD, LAT, ATC, NREMT

Dr. Ronnie Harper, Ed.D., LAT, ATC, NREMT, stands out as a prominent leader and advisor in the Athletic Training profession, offering his expertise on both local and national scales. Serving as a key member of the NATA Secondary School Committee for District IX, Ronnie's influential efforts played a pivotal role in the inception of the Athletic Training Location and Services Project (ATLAS) and the Safe Sports School Awards (SSSA). Furthermore, he's a principal author for the NATA's Appropriate Medical Care Standards document and its associated online tool, which serves as guidance for ensuring adequate medical care for Secondary School Aged Athletes.

With a distinguished 15-year career in higher education, Dr. Harper has tenure at institutions such as Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama, and Southeastern Louisiana University. During his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University, he was appointed as the Assistant Professor and spearheaded their CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Education Program. An alumnus of Mississippi State University, Ronnie boasts both a bachelor's and master’s degree from there, and furthered his academic pursuits with a Doctorate in Education from the University of Alabama, specializing in Health and Human Performance Studies.

His dedication to the field also extends to active participation in the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association (LATA), notably contributing to the Hall of Fame committee. His remarkable achievement of being inducted into the LATA Hall of Fame in 2013 stands as a testament to his dedication and commitment. This dedication was further recognized in 2018 when he was honored with the District IX High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.

Tim Neal, MS, AT, ATC, CCISM

Timothy Neal is a certified athletic trainer and National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame member. Presently, Mr. Neal is the director of athletic training program and assistant professor at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Mr. Neal spent 35 years as a clinical athletic trainer and adjunct professor at Syracuse University, from 1979-2014. 

Mr. Neal has chaired two NATA sponsored Inter-Association Consensus Statement on psychological concerns in student-athletes, the first one on intercollegiate athletes in 2013, followed by another Statement in 2015 for interscholastic athletes. Mr. Neal also served on the writing group for the 2014 NATA Position Statement on Pre-Participation Physical Examinations and Medically Disqualifying Conditions, authoring sections on cardiac conditions, mental health, and medical clearance considerations. Tim has authored or revised two chapters in the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook (catastrophic incident planning, student-athlete mental health). Tim has served as NATA selected reviewer for endorsement of NCAA best practices in student-athlete mental health, and cardiovascular care of collegiate student-athletes. In 2018, Mr. Neal co-authored a year-long series of articles published monthly in the NATA News on legal, ethical, and regulatory issues facing athletic trainers.

Mr. Neal is a member of the NCAA task forces on student-athlete mental health and wellness, sleep and wellness, and served on the 2010 panel on managing concussions in student-athletes. Mr. Neal is the NATA liaison to Mental Health America, and a member of the expert advisory board of the Jed Foundation. 

Mr. Neal was the chair of the NATA Committee on Professional Ethics from 2015-2019, and authored the updated NATA Code of Ethics in 2016.  Mr. Neal is certified in critical incident stress management by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), and is an approved ICISF instructor in CISM. Mr. Neal is a founding member of the NATA ATs Care committee.

Mr. Neal was an original member of the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training committee. Mr. Neal is also on the editorial board of the NATA Athletic Training Education Journal. 

Mr. Neal has authored dozens of articles in peer and non-peer reviewed journals, and has presented to numerous audiences on various sports medicine, mental health, ethical, and risk management topics.

Mr. Neal earned his Master’s degree at Syracuse University, and his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. Mr. Neal is a member of the Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Currently, Mr. Neal is finishing his Master’s degree in social work at Ohio University in December 2023 to become a credential mental health provider.

Eric Fuchs, FNAP, ATC, AEMT, SMTC, CIDN

Dr. Eric J. Fuchs is a Professor of Athletic Training in the Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise & Sports Science & serves as an adjunct faculty in the EKU Center for Wilderness Medicine & Outdoor Public Safety.  Dr. Fuchs served as Chair of the Department of Exercise & Sport Science at EKU from 2016 to Dec 2022. Prior to Chair, he served as the ATEP Program Director for 10 years and oversaw the programs transition from BS in AT to a CAATE accredited MS in AT Program. Dr. Fuchs has authored a textbook chapter on Emergency Medication Administration.  He clinically practices as an Athletic Trainer serving as the Director of Sports Medicine for Festival Sports Inc. where he directs the medical care and services for the Volleyball Festival, a 600 team girls juniors AAU West Coast Nationals event.  Dr. Fuchs serves as a member of RedSTAR – a Special Treatment, Access and Rescue Wilderness Medicine Team for the Red River Gorge a special operations EMS unit with Powell County EMS.  Dr. Fuchs also serves as a member of the medical staff for Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and associated races.  Dr. Fuchs serves as a member of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) Taskforce developing the written protocols and educational requirements for the Kentucky Wilderness Paramedic certification (WP-C), specifically writing section on Joint Reduction and Fracture re-alignment, covering all joints and fractures.

Dr. Fuchs has had extensive experience in emergency care of the critically injured athlete and published a chapter on Emergency Medications & Administration. He has been an invited speaker on IV, wound care, emergency care of critically injured patients, suturing, and airway management both regionally and nationally within the AT and EMS professions.  Dr. Fuchs currently served as a member of the Kentucky Athletic Trainers Advisor Council Taskforce drafting the medication formulary and invasive procedure for the Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KARs) for the Kentucky AT practice act.  Dr. Fuchs is an Associate Expert for the RehbergKonin Group, a firm specializing in sports medicine expert services and risk management.  Dr. Fuchs has provided expert witness and consulting services for legal cases.  Dr Fuchs has also co-authored two book chapters one titled Reimbursement and Legal Considerations and second titled Management Strategies in Athletic Training.  Dr. Fuchs served as the CAATE representative to and member of the BOC Maintenance of Competence Task Force.  Dr. Fuchs currently serves as a peer reviewer for the CAATE.  He serves as an active volunteer medical staff member for the USOPC and has worked two UCI Supercross BMX Americas World Cup events in addition to providing volunteer coverage at USOPTC to a variety of sports. Dr. Fuchs completed his Doctor of Arts at MTSU, his Master of Art’s in Athletic Training at San Jose State University and his BS in Athletic Training & Health Education from Ohio University.

David Heath, DO, DAT, ATC, FAAEM, FACEP, FACOEP

Dr. David Heath is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, EMS Medical Director and Adjunct Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine for the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM). Prior to his current position, he was a hospital administrator serving as Department Chairman of Emergency Medicine and Facility Medical Director.

Dr. Heath was residency-trained in Emergency Medicine by the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Health System in Northeast Ohio (named #2 World's Best Hospital 2022 by Newsweek) serving as a Chief Resident and Faculty for the Ohio University-Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. During residency training, he was twice recognized as Outstanding Resident Faculty of the Year. As a senior resident, he was nationally recognized as the 2014 American Osteopathic Foundation Outstanding Resident of the Year.

He completed undergraduate education at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) with dual majors in Athletic Training and Physical Education. While an undergraduate student, he was also a four-year member of the NCAA Division II LMU golf team. Dr. Heath has been recognized by the University with a number of awards including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Young Alumnus of the Year and inductee into the LMU Professional Hall of Fame.

He returned to his alma mater to attend medical school at LMU-DCOM graduating as a member of the Inaugural Class. He held notable positions establishing himself as an effective leader including Inaugural Class President, SGA Vice-President and Alumni Association President.

In addition, Dr. Heath has continued his athletic training education with a second doctoral degree in Athletic Training (DAT) from A.T. Still University. He is the only individual in America to hold both DO and DAT degrees. Dr. Heath also earned a Master of Science (MS) degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with an Advanced Athletic Training Concentration.

For over 20 years, he has maintained the BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) credential amassing considerable clinical experience in a number of practice environments including NCAA Division I/II athletics, secondary schools, clinical outreach and sports medicine clinic rehabilitation. Overall, Dr. Heath is a respected clinician, leader, speaker and medical educator with a strong commitment to both the emergency medicine and athletic training professions.