LIFE SAVERS

Multiple lives are saved each year by certified Athletic Trainers, including athletes, coworkers, friends, family, spectators and the general public. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association honors the efforts of everyday heroes through its Lifesaver Recognition program, recognizing Athletic Trainers directly involved in a lifesaving event. Here, we highlight recipients of California-based Lifesaver Awards.

2017

Robbie Bowers, Christina Scherr, Nicole Pfutzenreuter and
Nicole Shimotake
On Jan. 20, 2017, Rancho Bernardo High’s Head Athletic Trainer Robbie Bowers, Assistant AT Nicole Pfutzenreuter, SDSU AT Student Nicole Shimotake and Westview AT Christina Scherr saved the life of a spectator at a basketball game at Ranch Bernardo High School. Read more. 

Pat Frohn and Tori Mulitauaopele
January 25, 2017 was an afternoon like any other, until it wasn’t. Javier Venegas, a 20-year-old track athlete at Golden West College (GWC), collapsed on the track and wasn’t breathing. Read more. 

2016

Niki Dehner
A certified athletic trainer for 16 years, Dehner was well-prepared when a teacher experienced a life-threatening event during a football game. Read more. 

Scott Tucker

2015

Hilary King

Erin Stovall
On February 5, 2014, a few students raced into Stovall’s office in a panic. Their baseball coach passed out after running a mile with them. Stovall quickly ran onto the baseball field to find the 60-year-old assistant JV baseball coach lying lifeless, without a pulse. Read more. 

2013

Amanda Seibert
At the Fairplex Half Marathon in Pomona California in 2012, her expertise was put to the test when a middle-aged man collapsed a few feet from the finish line. Read more. 

2012

Scottie Parker

Linda Pon
On Nov. 9, 2011, Pon, the then assistant athletic trainer at California State University, East Bay, was in the clinic when a taekwondo student came racing in – his brother was having a seizure in the class upstairs. Read more. 

Lauj Preacely

Samantha Villa

This award recognizes a certified athletic trainer or athletic training
student whose actions in an emergency situation played a critical role in
saving a person’s life or through excellent medical care prevented a
serious injury/sudden illness from becoming fatal or more disabling than
the actual outcome.

Nomination:

• Submittal of name(s) to the CATA Managing Board from any CATA
  member in good standing.
• Appropriate supporting documentation, i.e., letter(s) of
  recommendation that speak to and demonstrate the contributions
  that benefitted the patient.