The holidays are here! This time of year can be full of rest and rejuvenation with time with friends and
family. But for some of us Athletic Trainers, this time can be hard. Your time has just shifted from one
responsibility to another and you are craving time for just yourself and your family. No matter the
circumstance, I everyone to take a moment and consider those things that you are grateful for to bring you joy
during this joyful time of year.
 

     This edition of the 2019 A-blasts will highlight the with the passing of our newest Bylaw Amendments,
we are now able to push forward with the 2020 General Election. Below you find the information pertaining to
those candidates that have been nominated for the open positions. Voting will be open Wednesday,
December 11th and will close Wednesday, December 25th. Please review the bios provided for each of the
candidates and cast your vote by the outlined deadline. Additionally, you will find reminders and important
information on our 2020 State Meeting, NATA, and SEATA information.
 

     Please allow me to thank you all for what it is you do for your patients and their healthcare. I believe
we are involved in one of the greatest professions and it’s because of practitioners like you that make it so
great. Know that your Association is working hard to make 2020 a productive year for you and your patients.

 

Your President,

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The ALATA General Election will open Wednesday, December 11th and close Wednesday, December 25th.
Please click here during that time to cast your vote. All voters will need to provide their name, BOC number, Alabama license number, and their NATA or ALATA member number. The bios for each of the candidates can be found below.

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Vice-President

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Mike Rodrigues

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A certified athletic trainer with more than 25 years of experience on the professional, collegiate, high school and orthopaedic clinic levels, Mike has a diverse and knowledgeable background in athletic training.

Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport sciences from the University of Florida, and his master’s degree in exercise physiology from Mississippi State University. He has served as an assistant athletic trainer at the United States Military Academy, Mississippi State and the University of Memphis. During his time with those programs, he coordinated medical coverage for a wide range of teams including football, tennis, softball, women’s basketball, volleyball and women’s soccer. In addition to his collegiate experience, Mike has an extensive background working closely with orthopaedic surgeons, serving as a surgical assistant with Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tenn. He has worked at several orthopaedic clinics in Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama, providing rehabilitation assistance within the clinic as well as coordinating athletic training coverage for local high schools. Mike relocated to Alabama in June of 2017 and was an athletic trainer with Encore Rehabilitation.  In March of 2018, Mike accepted the position of Director of Sports Medicine with the University of Alabama Adapted Athletic program. Mike currently serves on the ALATA Executive Council as At-Large, Position 3. 

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Allyn Abadie

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Allyn Abadie hails from sunny Southern California and is in her second year as an Athletic Trainer at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is contracted through the Student Affairs Division to cover Recreation and Club Athletics and work as a Physician’s Extender in the Student Health Department. Along with her responsibilities as an Athletic Trainer for the University, she is also a Doctoral Student pursuing research in Nutrition Sciences. Previously, Allyn attended The University of Alabama for her MA in Health Studies while working as a Graduate Assistant in their Recreation and Club Athletics. She was involved in the Clinical Skills portion of the Undergraduate ATEP as a preceptor.   Allyn received her B.S. in Athletic Training and a minor in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. During her time there, she was an Athletic Training student, a student-athlete, and was on the executive board of four organizations holding two presidential positions.

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Secretary

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Kyle Southall

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Kyle Southall, currently serves as the Director of Clinical Education for both the undergraduate athletic training and masters in athletic training programs at Samford University. Kyle began his tenure at Samford in 2016 as the clinical coordinator for the undergraduate athletic training program and instructor of kinesiology. Kyle previously served as head athletic trainer at Birmingham-Southern College from 2013-2016 and assistant athletic trainer at BSC from 2012-2013. Kyle is Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) trained and currently the state representative for the NATA ATs Care as well as on the SEATA ATs Care Committee and NATA National ATs Care Committee. Kyle also serves as a member of the ALATA Governmental Affairs Committee. Kyle became a member of Team USA Sports Medicine in the Spring of 2016 and has traveled with a variety of teams internationally to Japan, Dominican Republic, and Israel as well as nationally at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. Kyle is nationally certified by the NATABOC and is licensed by the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers. He is also a certified BLS/CPR/AED instructor through the American Red Cross. Kyle is a 2010 graduate of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. He did his post-graduate work at West Virginia University, where he received a Master's of Science of Athletic Training in 2012. Kyle was also an adjunct professor in the athletic training and sports science department at Waynesburg University and West Virginia University during his time in Morgantown. Also while at WVU Kyle became level-1 Graston trained, a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and became a certified Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In his free time Kyle enjoys spending time with his family and friends, fishing, and traveling with his wife, Emily.

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Sara Bunemann

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Sara Bunemann completed her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Where she served as President of ECU's Student Athletic Training Club. She went on to pursue her Master’s in Education during a two-year Graduate Assistant position at Union College in Kentucky. Currently, Sara is in her second year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham serving as an Athletic Trainer for Club Sports and Intramural as well as a Physician Extender through UAB's Student Health and Wellness. In addition, she is finishing up her second Masters in Anatomical Science. Sara also has clinical experience in the performing arts, secondary and collegiate settings. As a new resident of Alabama, she is looking forward in getting involved in the athletic training profession at the state level. 

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At-Large 2

 

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Dave Bush

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Dave Bush, MS, LAT, ATC is a Sports Medicine Supervisor with ATI Physical Therapy in Troy, Alabama. He has spent the majority of his almost 20-year career working in the high school setting. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Troy State University in 1998 and later a Master of Science in Sports and Fitness Management from Troy University in 2014. Prior to accepting his current supervisor role with ATI, Dave spent 12 years in a dual role for Champion Sports Medicine serving as the Head Athletic Trainer at Charles Henderson High School as well as the High School Outreach Director where he coordinated the athletic training coverage for 10 area high schools. Dave moved back to Troy in 2006 following 5 years with HealthSouth in Birmingham where he was the Head Athletic Trainer for Calera High School for 2 years and for Vestavia Hills High School for 3 years. During his time in Birmingham he also worked with the Birmingham Steeldogs of the Arena Football2 League first as an assistant athletic trainer and later as the head athletic trainer. Throughout his career he has also served as a Sports Medicine Liaison for the Southeastern Conference and was the co-recipient of the 2015 Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. Dave and his wife Dana live in Troy with their sons Cameron, a freshman at Troy University and Hayden an eighth grader at Charles Henderson Middle School.

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Also, don’t forget this is a reporting year! If you are still looking for more CEU opportunities, please visit the
BOC website for all available opportunities. Certification renewal documentation needs to be submitted no
later than 11:59 pm CT, Tuesday, December 31st.

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