Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) Members Honored with National Awards

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Four Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) members were honored at recent National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.

Picture of award winners Michael Prybicien, Robb Rehberg, Joe Friedrich, and Steve Barandica.
"It is tremendous to see ATSNJ members being honored at the national level and is a true testament to the high level of healthcare providers we have within our organization,”

The 73rd National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Clinical Symposia & AT Expo was held June 28th-July 1st in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the event four Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) members were honored. Those receiving awards included: Michael Prybicien, Robb Rehberg, Joe Friedrich, and Steve Barandica.

“I would like to congratulate Michael Prybicien, Robb Rehberg, Joe Friedrich, and Steve Barandica on receiving awards, they are well deserved. It is tremendous to see ATSNJ members being honored at the national level and is a true testament to the high level of healthcare providers we have within our organization,” said Jessica Springstead, President of the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey, Inc.

Robb Rehberg was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame. The NATA Hall of Fame exists to recognize the very best of the athletic training profession. Induction into the Hall of Fame honors athletic trainers who exemplify the mission of NATA through significant, lasting contributions that enhance the quality of health care provided by athletic trainers and advance the profession. To date, more than 330 athletic trainers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Michael Prybicien received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (MDAT). The MDAT Award recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer. MDAT exclusively recognizes NATA members who have been involved in service and leadership activities at the national and district level.

Joe Friedrich received the NCAA Division II Head Athletic Trainer Award. The award recognizes one individual for exceptional performance as a head athletic trainer at the NCAA Division II level. Recipients are actively involved in their community or campus, athletic training associations and promotion of the profession.

Steve Barandica received the Emerging Leader Award. The award is given to an NATA member, within their first 10 years of athletic training service, who:

  • Innovates and inspires ideas
  • Demonstrates the highest level of service, integrity, professionalism and competence
  • Raises the visibility and influence of the profession
  • Actively shares responsibility and motivates others to accomplish higher levels of commitment to state service
  • Collaborates with other entities and organizations for the betterment of the state association.

For more information about ATSNJ and these award recipients go to: https://atsnj.org/articles/national-athletic-trainers-association-2022-awards

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Nicholas Scaramazza
ATSNJ's New Jersey Sports Safety
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