Nominations are now open for 2023 awards! Please read on to find out how to nominate a colleague.
Please review the award descriptions and application forms below. The IATA is proud to be able to recognize the outstanding work of clinicians and athletic training advocates across Illinois. As you nominate an athletic trainer for an award, please consider the following:
1. If you are trying to surprise the candidate with the award, please be aware that this may put the candidate at a disadvantage, and make it difficult for the awards committee to accurately assess the candidate. We recommend that you collaborate with the candidate to complete the application to ensure all relevant information is provided. Do not allow the candidate to be humble (we want to know everything they have contributed to our profession).
2. Please use any and all resources to complete the award application in its entirety. Additionally, please ensure the letters of recommendation and resumes/CV are submitted. Make sure that all necessary documents, including the fully completed application are submitted to the IATA Membership Director by the deadline (March 5th).
3. It is the nominator’s responsibility to understand the eligibility requirements and criteria for each award.
4. Nominations are scored on the information presented.
5. Application form and all information must be submitted by March 5th. Late submissions will not be accepted.
6. You may notice that several awards use the same nomination form. When filling out the form, you must select the name of the award for which you are applying, and the information will be routed to the correct award.
7. The award recipients will be recognized during the annual IATA State Meeting & Clinical Symposium.
Click here to view all of our previous award winners
This award is designed to recognize healthcare organizations that offer a variety of services to patients/stakeholders, while employing athletic trainers that function in a variety of roles, promoting utilization of their skills. The organization should be involved in the IATA/GLATA/NATA and should be a contributor to the field of sports medicine and athletic training. Nomination requirements include: Director or Leadership letter to acknowledge information presented in the supplementary materials, stakeholder letter in support of the healthcare organization, and completion of the nomination form.
The Hall of Fame Award is the IATA's most prestigious award and recognizes an athletic trainer for their professionalism, dedication, contributions, and longevity in the field of athletic training. Eligibility requirements include: complete 15 years of Illinois Certified service, be an active or retired IATA member, and have an NPI number. Nomination requirements include: sponsor's letter stating your reasons for nominating this individual, a second letter of support written by another individual, the nomination form, and the candidate's resume or CV.
The Karen Hovorka Humanitarian Award will be awarded on behalf of her family by the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATA) to an individual who displays acts of kindness and service by volunteering his/her time to a charity/non-profit organization. The following is the criteria for the award: The nominee must be a Certified member of the IATA, have been in a volunteer role with the charity/ non-profit organization for a minimum of 12 months, submit a letter of recommendation from a personal reference, submit a letter of recommendation from a member of the charity/non-profit organization, and submit a one page personal statement reflecting on his/her philosophy of “The Importance of Giving”. Individuals must be nominated by another IATA member. The award is an engraved trophy presented to the recipient; in addition, a $250 honorarium will be given to the Les Turner ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Foundation in honor of Karen Hovorka, in the recipient’s name. Once the Honors and Awards Committee has received all applications, they will be given to the Hovorka family for review and selection of the award winner. All nominee information will be anonymous when presented for review.
Individuals not meeting Hall of Fame induction requirements may be given a Special Recognition Award. Additionally, this award can be received by an individual group, organization, etc. that is not eligible to receive the IATA Hall of Fame Award (e.g. non-certified members, physicians, administrators, schools, etc.).This award is reserved for those who have made significant contributions to the athletic training/sports medicine profession, as well as having a history of providing quality service to the athletes of our state. This award is given at the committee’s discretion. Eligibility requirements include: minimum of 10 years active practice or service to the athletic training/sports medicine profession and/or patient population in the State of Illinois, history of quality personal and professional contributions to the Athletic Training profession in the state of Illinois, and an IATA member must submit a letter of nomination. The typed letter shall contain the nominee's qualifications, activities, and contributions to athletic training, sports medicine, and/or the patient population of the State of Illinois. Nominees must receive five out of six votes from the selection committee to be granted the award. No more than two Special Recognition Awards will be given in any year. Nomination requirements include: a sponsor's letter stating your reason for nominating this individual or group, nomination form, and the candidate's resume or CV (if nominating an individual).
The IATA Impact Athletic Trainer Award recognizes athletic trainers who exemplify professionalism, dedication, and longevity in the field of athletic training. The purpose of the award is to recognize athletic trainers in the state of Illinois who may not seek professional involvement on the IATA Board of Directors, but who play a vital role in the state through their efforts within the athletic training profession. Eligibility requirements include: complete 10 years of Illinois Certified service, be an active or retired IATA member, and have an NPI number. Nomination requirements include: sponsor's letter stating your reasons for nominating this individual, the nomination form, and the candidate's resume or CV.
The Dedicated Service Award is named in honor of Rich Carey, a founding member of the IATA. This award recognizes athletic trainers for their dedicated service to the IATA/GLATA/NATA and the fields of sports medicine and athletic training. Rich was instrumental in the early development of the IATA serving as its first treasurer from 1982-85, doing grassroots work on the state’s first registration legislation, and serving on the IATA Board of Directors once again from 2006-2008. Eligibility requirements include: complete 10 years of Illinois Certified service, be an active or retired IATA member, and have an NPI number. Nomination requirements include: sponsor's letter stating your reasons for nominating this individual, the nomination form, and the candidate's resume or CV.
The IATA Young Professional Award aims to recognize a young professional (12 years certified or less) who is a member of the IATA and has made outstanding contributions to their patients, community, and the profession of athletic training. The ideal candidate is professional, dedicated, and held in high regard by their peers for their qualities and contribution. Consideration will be based upon recommendation from peers, service, community involvement, and professional development. Eligibility requirements include: being a Certified Athletic Trainer for 12 years or less, be an active or retired IATA member, and have an NPI number. Nomination requirements include: sponsor's letter stating your reasons for nominating this individual, the nomination form, and the candidate's resume or CV.
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