NATA 2023Special Events
Nate Breske & Denny Kellington
8:40 to 9:25 a.m. Thursday, June 22
The world saw athletic training in action firsthand when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the Jan. 2 NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
During the 74th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, Buffalo Bills head athletic trainer Nate Breske, DPT, ATC, and assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington, ATC, will share insight into the incident as well as celebrate the athletic training profession and the resiliency of athletic trainers.
You won’t want to miss this inspirational discussion!*
*Keynote event will be in person only
Nate Breske, DPT, ATC, serves as the head athletic trainer for the Buffalo Bills.
Since being hired by the Bills in 2018, Breske and his athletic training staff have been highly ranked in the NFL in terms of least number of games missed due to injury. As a result, the Bills have also ranked high in performance on the field as they have earned a playoff berth in four consecutive seasons.
Breske also played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping the Bills organization manage through the protocols set forth by the NFL.
Breske was an integral member of the medical team that revived Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the Jan. 2 Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati. After Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, Breske and the medical staff took quick action, performed CPR and prevented a tragic outcome.
Before joining the Bills, Breske was the head athletic trainer with the Chicago Bears for three seasons. He also spent seven years with the San Francisco 49ers and was an intern for the New England Patriots.
Breske earned his bachelor’s degree from Northern State University, where he played football, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Denny Kellington, ATC, currently serves as the assistant athletic trainer with the Buffalo Bills organization.
Prior to moving to Buffalo, New York, Kellington was at Syracuse University for 12 years, starting as an assistant athletic trainer and eventually assuming the role of head football athletic trainer. He earned his Masters in Sports and Exercise Science at The Ohio State University and his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University.
Kellington was an integral member of the medical team that saved Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the Jan. 2 Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati. Given the incredible job done by the Bills sports medicine team, there has been a spotlight cast on the entire industry. The medical staff has also been recognized by the Bills and across the NFL for their heroic actions to save Hamlin’s life.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul awarded Kellington and the entire Buffalo Bills medical staff the Executive Chamber- Special Citation on March 29. Additionally, the New York State Senate and Assembly awarded the group a Legislation Resolution. Kellington and his fellow staff members were also honored with the 2023 PFATS Presidents Award.
Kellington has served the New York Athletic Trainers’ Association and Atlantic Coast Conference Sports Medicine Association and is an active member of Professional Football Athletic Trainers’ Society. Recently, he has presented on a variety of topics around the country ranging from case studies to emergency preparedness.
Lisa Salters is a versatile and accomplished reporter with more than three decades of experience. Currently, she is a sideline reporter for two of ESPN’s biggest sports properties – the NFL’s Monday Night Football and NBA games on ESPN and ABC, where she works ESPN’s Super Wild Card game and the NBA Finals each year. She is also the co-host of the company’s award-winning E60 film and documentary series.
In 2023, she earned the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Reporter.
Salters was named the sideline reporter for MNF in April 2012 and is now the longest-tenured sideline reporter in MNF history. Salters has been part of NBA coverage on ESPN and ABC since 2005. In the regular season, her role includes the high-profile NBA Saturday Primetime and NBA Sunday Showcase games.
Salters originally joined ESPN as a general assignment reporter in March 2000. Prior to her current NFL and NBA assignments, she was the sideline reporter for ABC’s Saturday Night Football college football games for five seasons (2006-10).
Beyond covering high-profile events, Salters is co-host of ESPN’s acclaimed E:60 series alongside Jeremy Schaap. She helped launch the series in 2007 as a featured correspondent before her promotion to co-host in 2019.
Before arriving at ESPN, Salters worked for ABC News from 1995-2000. Based in Los Angeles, she was named the first West Coast correspondent for the ABC affiliate news service, NewsOne, in February 1995. She covered the O.J. Simpson civil and criminal trials, the Oklahoma City bombing trials, the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, and the crash of TWA flight 800, among other major stories for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and other ABC News outlets.
A native of King of Prussia, Pa., Salters graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.
Leadership
Meet thought leaders in the profession and hear from leadership at these events
EDAC Town Hall
4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 22
The EDAC Town Hall is the premier networking event for ATs interested in diversity and cultural competency. Attend to learn more about the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee’s projects and initiatives. The Bill Chisolm Professional Service Award recipient will also be recognized during the town hall.
LGBTQ+ Town Hall
5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22
Hear updates from the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, ask questions and chat with other members about your concerns and ideas. Celebrate the committee’s accomplishments and help us honor the recipients of the 2022 LGBTQ+ Award for Inclusive Excellence.
NATAPAC Breakfast
7 to 9 a.m. Friday, June 23
JW, White River F
After a 3 year hiatus, the NATAPAC breakfast is back! The NATAPAC breakfast is the premier event and fundraiser at the convention for NATA's Political Action Committee and this year, attendees will get to hear from the breakfast's keynote speaker and chair of NATA's AT Compensation Task Force Murphy Grant, LAT, ATC, NASM-PES. Cost is $50, and you can also sponsor a student or young professional. Advance purchase is required, and event will sell out. Make plans to attend and purchase your ticket today!
Register for NATAPAC breakfast by adding it to your convention registration upon checkout. If you have already registered for convention, log back in under “Already Registered” section to access your registration and add it on.
Face Time
10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, June 23
Do you have a question for NATA leadership? Get it answered during Face Time ’23. NATA is collecting questions from members ahead of time to ensure all questions have the opportunity for addressing during or after the event. Members interested in submitting a question for leadership should send the inquiry to marketing@nata.org
SSATC Town Hall
3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 23
Athletic trainers in secondary schools are the foundation of the future of our profession. We are often the gateway to the first impression families have of our comprehensive skill set, and we have the unique opportunity to engage future athletic trainers and stakeholders. The SSATC Town Hall provides athletic trainers interested in the secondary school setting a place to network and interact. The SSATC will provide information on committee initiatives, ways to get involved, and seek input from membership. The 2023 Servant’s Heart and AT-of-the-Year district winners will be celebrated, and the national AT-of-the-Year winner will be announced.
AT EducATionalist Town Hall
3:15 to 5 p.m. Friday, June 23
At the AT EducATionalist Town Hall, the community’s leadership will share their progress and accomplishments to date, as well as provide an opportunity for anyone interested in athletic training education to engage in conversation. Please join us to share what education-related issues are important to you and what we as a profession need to have a larger conversation about and shine more light on.
CelebrATe
Major accomplishments and achievements are recognized at these events.
NATA 2023 WELCOME RECEPTION
6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21
ICC, Hall F
Prepare to be wowed by a some of Indy’s best performing artists while you reunite with lifelong friends during the NATA 2023 Welcome Reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, in Hall F at the ICC. Complimentary soft drinks and bottled water will be available. Beer and wine will be available for purchase for those 21 years old and older.
NATA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, June 22
ICC, Hall D
Celebrate the trailblazers of our industry and their contributions to the athletic training profession by attending the NATA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Since 1962, NATA has awarded athletic trainers who have dedicated their careers to bettering the profession and the lives of their patients. Join us as we welcome the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees to join the ranks of our most illustrious and celebrated athletic trainers.
NATA 2023 General Session
2:40 to 3:40 p.m. Thursday, June 22
ICC, Hall D
When you attend the NATA 2023 General Session, you’ll find yourself alongside NATA members from all over the country as part of the largest gathering of members each year. During General Session, athletic training students, young professionals and longtime ATs all celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and hear important association updates from NATA President Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC. Dedicated members are recognized for their excellence in athletic training during the national awards ceremony and new initiatives in the works are unveiled during this one-hour meeting. Join us in reflecting on the year to date and the people who’ve contributed to its success while looking onward toward the future of the profession.
NATA Quiz Bowl
4:30 p.m. Friday, June 23
Sponsored by Henry Schein, the NATA Quiz Bowl is a Jeopardy-style competition for athletic training students. Each of NATA’s eleven districts will be represented by a team in the competition.
Network
Meet ATs just like you at these events.
NATA’s Early Professionals’ Committee & Career Advancement Committee Social
6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22
ICC, 500 Reception Room
ATs in the first 12 years of initial licensure/certification are encouraged to come and network with leadership and other young professionals at this social. Both committees will present their National Distinction Award to their respective recipients.
NATA Student Social
3 to 4 p.m. Friday, June 23
ICC, 500 Reception Room
This is a great opportunity to network with NATA leadership and other AT students from around the country.
Interactives
On the way to learn more about NATA initiatives and goals in Connect, be sure to stop by the Hot Products display and see the latest in athletic training products.
Hot Products Display
Connect-Hall I
June 22 – 23, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CONNECT
At Your Own Risk Kiosk
ATs Care Kiosk
Hall of Fame Booth
Level Up! Theater
NATA 2024-New Orleans
NATA All Access
NATA Research & Education Foundation Kiosk
NATA Scientific Journals
NATAGear
NATAPAC Kiosk
PFATS Kiosk