Katelyn M. Ward, MS, ATC, a member of the Keller Army Community Hospital’s Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research team, is the 2025 recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Research & Education Foundation ‘Free Communications – Early-Career Investigator Award.
Her award-winning abstract, “Influence of Sleep Quality on Length of Time to Concussion Recovery in Military Service Academy Cadets,” will be presented at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting in June. Her research determined that poor sleep quality preceding a concussion was associated with prolonged recovery in a military training setting.
“This award recognizes the quality of the research Katelyn and her co-authors, on our research team, are conducting,” said Dr. Kenneth L. Cameron, PhD, MPH, ATC, FNATA, Director, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research, Keller Army Community Hospital. “It’s a fitting coincidence that the award notification occurred during National Athletic Training Month – which aims to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers; and Brain Injury Awareness Month – which aims to bring awareness to traumatic brain injury (TBI) prevention and improve overall quality for those living with TBIs.”
The purpose of the Free Communications Awards program is to recognize and encourage the research efforts of athletic trainers and athletic training students based on the quality of NATA Foundation Free Communications program abstracts and presentations. To be eligible for the ‘Early-Career’ award an individual must be working in their current position and have less than 7 years of experience since being a student, including post-doctoral fellows, faculty, staff, other.
“Our research teams may not see beneficiaries, but their hard work and dedication plays a vital role in the Military Health System,” said Col. Sean J. Hipp, Commander, Keller Army Community Hospital. “Their research is a critical area of focus in the military; and their findings will assist military medicine – and other medical professionals – with understanding, preventing, and treating TBIs.”
“Their research directly contributes to the overall health and post-concussion recovery of our fighting force,” Hipp added.
The NATA Foundation champions research, supports education, and enhances knowledge to optimize the clinical experience and outcomes within the diverse patient populations served by the athletic training profession.
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