Dr. Frank Walters is a certified and licensed athletic trainer with significant work experience in a variety of professional settings. These settings include secondary schools, college / university, secondary school and hospital administration. His professional interests include athletic health care administration as well as diversity and cultural competence in health care. He was a Board of Certification Board Member and served as Vice President. He is currently a member of the Florida Board of Athletic Training. Dr. Walters is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)Hall of Fame and the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association (SWATA) Hall of Fame.

Beverly Westerman is a professor in the School of Public Health at George Washington University (GW) in Washington, DC. In her current position she also serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA. Bev started her athletic training career as an assistant athletic trainer at George Mason University. A short time later she was hired as the women’s athletic trainer at GW and soon after transitioned into the position of head athletic trainer. She was an adjunct faculty member while working in the Athletic Department where she developed a CAATE accredited Athletic Education Program. Bev has served on multiple committees NATA, MAATA, and DCATA.

 Jessica Fornieri received her undergraduate degree at Salisbury University in 2015 with a B.S. in Athletic Training. She received a M.S. in Nutrition and Physical Activity from James Madison University in 2018. During her time at JMU, Fornieri served as a graduate assistant with the Cross Country/Track & Field team. She also previously spent time as an intern at the University of Arizona and Catawba College. Jessica joined the Georgetown University athletic training staff in August 2018. Her primary sport responsibilities include men’s soccer and women’s rowing. Jessica has been a clinical instructor as well as trained in Graston Module 1 and has her Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification. 

 Ms. Veronica L. Ampey MSS, ATC is the Athletic Trainer at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness with a concentration in Athletic Training from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Sport Science in Sports Medicine from the US Sports Academy. After completing her MSS, she accepted a position at Emory University in Atlanta, GA where she served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for 4 years, and as the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine for 5 years. In 1997, Ms. Ampey relocated to Metro DC and has been the athletic trainer at GDS for the past 25 years. In addition to this work experience, Ms. Ampey has served DCATA as interim president and Ethics Committee Chair. She was a member (and chair) of the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee for several years and is a contributor to the second edition of Concepts in Athletic Training by Pfeiffer and Mangus, and to the first edition of Cultural Competence in Sports Medicine by Cartwright and Shingles. Honors and awards include Emory University Women’s Basketball Distinguished Service Award, Cambridge Who’s Who, NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award, and the NATA EDAC Bill Chisolm Professional Service Award. Outside of athletic training Ms. Ampey is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an Independent Travel Advisor. She enjoys scuba diving, tennis, and WNBA basketball. She resides in Greenbelt, MD with her twin daughters. She can be contacted at vampey@gds.org.

Karl Bailey is the supervisory Health and Fitness Specialist for the Architect of the Capitol. Since 2002, he oversees the day to day operation of the US Senators fitness facility. Previously, he held the position of Head Athletic Trainer for Catholic University from 1983 to 2002.

Ms. Rheeling is a 31-year veteran of the DCPS athletic training staff, following the completion of her BS at Millikin University and MS at Indiana State University. She has engaged in many volunteer, advocacy, and leadership activities related to athletic training. These include serving on the NATA SSATC both as a member and the current chair, DCSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee chair, DCATA president, NFHS SMAC member, and member of the medical board for the Jordan McNair Foundation. Through these activities Ms. Rheeling has earned many awards including the NATA Service and Most Distinguished awards, the MAATA Service, Most Distinguished, and Hall of Fame recognition, the NATA EDAC Bill Chisolm Award, and a myriad of local awards. Ms. Rheeling is looking forward to retiring in the near-ish future to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with her significant other, David, and their menagerie of cats and dogs!

Dawn Bracley, a New Jersey native, earned her BS at Salisbury State University and her MS from the University of California-Pennsylvania. She is a 31-year veteran and inaugural member of the DC Public Schools athletic training team, having served the entirety of her career at Eastern Senior High. Dawn’s easy-going, friendly demeanor have made her a beloved member of the DCPS community, and a trustworthy, reliable member of the DCATA. She willingly volunteers for all activities and provides meaningful support to all initiatives. Dawn has two beautiful, accomplished daughters. Marissa is a graduate of WVU and currently enrolled in a Master’s program as well as working full-time in her field. Olivia graduated this spring from Indiana University and will be pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology. 

Education:

Salisbury State May 1994 - Athletic Training Indiana University June 1996 - MS Athletic Training

Work:

Assistant AT - WV Tech: August 1994 - May 1995 Graduate Assistant - Indiana University: August 1996 - June 1996 Assistant AT - Towson University; August 1996 - May 1999 Head Athletic - Trainer Limestone College: August 1999 - June 2000 Asst. AD Sports Medicine / Head AT - American University: August 2000-present

Dr. Briscoe retired from the DC Public School System in September of 2018 after 43 years of service. She worked as a teacher at Anacostia, Spingarn and Eastern Senior High Schools. During her 14 years at Anacostia, she taught mathematics and coached Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Softball and Cheerleading. After leaving Anacostia in 1989, she worked in the Department of Athletics for 22 years. During her tenure, she was hired as the Coordinator of Athletics for 2 years and the Assistant Director of Athletics for the remaining 20 years. In 2012 she returned to the classroom at Spingarn and in 2014 she accepted the responsibility of a teacher and Athletic Director at Eastern Senior High School. In 2016, she transitioned into the full time Athletic Director position until her retirement in 2018. Dr. Briscoe was the first African American female to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and was the first female 2nd Vice President of the DC Coaches Association. She is married to Coach Frank Briscoe. They have one son, Jerome. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Anacostia Alumni Group, Inc, the Council of School Officers, DMV-Capitol Board of Officials and Metropolitan Baseball and Softball Umpires Association. She is also a member of Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

I have been in DC after my training at Northwestern and the University of Pennsylvania since 1991. I have been a team physician for the DC public schools as well as GW University, DC United and several other high school, Olympic, and professional teams. I have especially enjoyed my relationships with high school and college athletics and working as a team with athletic trainers, athletes, and coaches.

Clark Ray served as the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Athletic Association (DSCAA) since 2012 until his passing in June of 2021. He was instrumental in the creation of the DCSAA and the development of state championship events, the formation of a student-athlete scholarship program, the creation of the DCSAA High School Hall of Fame in 2017 and countless other athletic associated programs. For more than two decades, he served in a number of roles advancing recreation and athletics to build a sense of community. Clark Ray was a graduate of the University of Arkansas and received a master’s degree in education from Temple University.

William J. Strudwick, MD FACEP is a highly skilled board-certified emergency medicine physician with over 30 years of experience in the medical field and more than 15 years as the Director of the Providence Hospital Emergency Department. Dr. Strudwick has spent his career serving the medically underserved. He is currently the Medical Director for Providence Urgent Care Center and an attending physician in the Howard University Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine.

As the Director of the Providence Hospital Emergency Department from 2002 to 2018, Dr. Strudwick’s leadership contributed to increasing profit margins by 35% and improving key performance metrics, including decreasing patient wait times and increasing patient satisfaction.

Throughout his time at Providence Hospital, Dr. Strudwick was a tireless advocate for the underserved community. He advocated for the renovation of the Providence Hospital Emergency Room to enhance the hospital’s ability to provide compassionate care to all patients, with a focus on those who may be struggling. To his great joy, a $15 million renovation was completed in 2015, resulting in a more modern and efficient facility.

While serving as the Director of the Emergency Department, Dr. Strudwick also held the following leadership positions:

• ·       Physician Liaison, former MCI center in Washington, D.C.
• ·       Member, D.C. Board of Medicine
• ·       Member, ProAssurance Underwriting Board
• ·       Chief physician, D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission
• ·       Clinical Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine

After graduating from the University of Virginia, Dr. Strudwick—a native Washingtonian—returned to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University College of Medicine. He remained at Howard University for his residency in emergency medicine.

Dr. Terry L. Thompson is the Charles H. Epps, Jr. Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. He served as Program Director for the orthopaedic surgery residency program at Howard University Hospital from 2001 to 2014. He has been a member of the full-time faculty since 1989.

Dr. Thompson is a native of South Carolina. He graduated with honors from South Carolina State University in 1979. He received the Doctor of Medicine degree from Howard University in 1983. Dr. Thompson took an internship in surgery and residency in orthopaedic surgery at Howard University Hospital from 1983 to 1988. He received fellowship training in sports medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City from 1988 to 1989.

Dr. Thompson has held leadership positions in professional organizations. He is past Vice President of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has served on the Board of Directors of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society. Dr. Thompson has served as Vice Chairman of the Residency Review Committee for Orthopaedic Surgery of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. He has served as Orthopaedic Section Chairman of the National Medical Association and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia.

Dr. Thompson has written and lectured in the areas of sports medicine and management of knee and shoulder injuries. He is a reviewer for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research and Sports Health. He is Associate Editor for Orthopedics.

Dr. Thompson has received several honors. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He was selected to the inaugural class of Leadership Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 2001. Dr. Thompson was the 2003 recipient of the Medical Staff Leadership Award for Howard University Hospital. He received the Special Recognition Award from the District of Columbia Public Schools in 2005 for service to interscholastic sports. He was awarded Honorary Membership in the National Athletic Trainers Association in 2016 for his strong devotion to sports medicine and the athletic training profession. Dr. Thompson has received citations for excellence in teaching.

Among his many professional activities, Dr. Thompson serves as Head Team Physician for Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He is Team Physician for the District of Columbia Public Schools. He is a Neutral Orthopaedist for the National Football League Player Benefits Plan. 

Bernard began his education in the Baltimore City Public School System. When he graduated from Forest Park Senior High School in 1965, he earned a full scholarship to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (formerly Maryland State College). Bernard completed his course work and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969.

Bernard became a substitute teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System before securing a full-time position as an Athletic Trainer, at Baltimore Junior College (BJC, aka, Community College of Baltimore). While working full-time at Baltimore Junior College, Bernard attended Indiana University during the summer months to obtain his Master of Science degree in Health and Safety, which he completed in the summer of 1974. During the summer semester at Baltimore Junior College, he interned for the Baltimore Colts' Professional Football Team.

After working for about twelve years at Baltimore Junior College, Bernard further advanced his career at Howard University in Washington, D.C., as their Head Athletic Trainer until his retirement.

Shortly after coming to Washington, DC, Bernard attended the inaugural meeting with Dennis Rivenburgh and Dave Tomkalski to form the District of Columbia Athletic Trainers Association (DCATA).

Bernard took his job as Athletic Trainer very seriously. The safety of the athletes was his number one priority. Bernard was quiet and soft-spoken, except when he felt incorrect decisions and ideas might result in athletic injuries or unsafe situations. He was a strong advocate for equipment, schedules and other techniques and methods that supported the development of the athletes and the betterment of the department. One of his proudest accomplishments is when he received his 25-year National Athletic Trainers Association member pin.

Outside his major duties, Bernard represented Howard University and the District of Columbia at the 1987 Pan American Games, 1986 United States Olympic Sports Festival, 1986 United States Olympic Training Center and was a volunteer for the Art Shell Football Youth Camp.

As with all athletic trainers who had a spouse or partner, Bernard ’s wife, Pamela, was also a constant figure at the athletic events at Howard University. She eagerly adopted the athletic training students - always making sure they were fed during the coverage of the long home football games by the athletic trainers.

In retirement, Bernard continued to keep up to date with athletic training techniques and symposiums. He was inducted for all his accomplishments into the Classes of 2016 and 2018 Hall of Fame Athletics' Team category for Howard University.

Bernard, a mentor, and friend, will always be kept in remembrance and appreciation for his strong presence.

Dennis Rivenburgh, MS, ATC, PA-C, DFAAPA has been practicing in sports medicine since the late 1970’s, First as a Certified Athletic Trainer and then as a Physician Assistant/Certified Athletic Trainer. Dennis began his athletic training career as an undergrad at Southern Connecticut State and then worked as a graduate assistant while studying for a Master’s of Science degree in Education at Central Connecticut. Following grad school, Dennis moved to Washington, DC where he was the Certified Athletic Trainer at the Sidwell Friends School and then the George Washington and American Universities. In 1997 he graduated from the George Washington University Physician Assistant Program. He is currently working as a PA in the Johns Hopkins University Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Sports Medicine, prior to that he served as the Program Director of the Anne Arundel Community College/University of Maryland Baltimore Collaborative Physician Assistant Program. In addition, he has worked as a PA in Primary Care/Sports Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Dennis has been a preceptor and clinical instructor throughout his career. He was the athletic trainer for the US Bobsled team and worked with the TV Show The American Gladiators. Mr. Rivenburgh has served on may local, state and national committees as both an Athletic Trainer and a Physician Assistant. He has lectured on sports medicine topics locally, nationally and internationally.