Young Professionals

Early Professional's Committee (EPC)

Career Advancement Committee (CAC)

Early Professionals Committee (EPC):

Athletic Trainers with 0-6 years of certification

Mission:

Advance, connect, support and encourage Athletic Trainers in the early stages of their career by fostering leadership, developing educational initiatives and promoting professional and ethical values.

Expected Content/ events:

Clinical and soft skills development workshops, networking webinars, social events.

The EPC will create educational opportunities and materials to support new professionals. In addition, the committee will engage academic programs in transitioning students members to certified members.

The EPC will collaborate with other committees and national, district and state leadership to involve new graduates and create leadership development opportunities. The committee will promote leadership development programs and work to welcome new graduates into athletic training service and to help foster professional networking and mentorship.

Stephanie McKeen, MS, LAT, ATC
EPC Chair

Stephanie graduated from the University of Iowa Athletic Training Program in 2018 and returned to Iowa City as an outreach athletic trainer working with Women's Tennis through the University of Iowa Sports Medicine Center in October 2021. After graduating from the University of Iowa, she was a graduate assistant at the University of South Carolina until 2020 and shortly after acted as an outreach athletic trainer at South Carolina United Football Club (FC) through Prisma Health. She currently also serves on the NATA's COPA Community Outreach Committee. Outside of athletic training, Stephanie loves the company of her puppy Remy and her family and friends, teaching Pilates, and fitness

Kayla Tindall, MS, LAT, ATC

Kayla earned her Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Northwestern College in May of 2018. Following graduation and passing her Board of Certification Exam, she began working at her alma mater as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer for 2 years. During this time, she graduated with her Master of Science in Athletic Training degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in August of 2019. After completing her GA role at Northwestern, she was hired on full time for the 2020 school year and transitioned to a CNOS employee in January of 2021. Kayla currently works with the men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, and softball teams at NWC. She grew up in Akron, IA and graduated from Akron-Westfield High School.

Tokeca Kephart

Tokeca Kephart (pronounced Doe-Kay-Cha) who goes by Doe, is originally from Nebraska. Kephart is a 2015 graduate of Midland University with a degree in Human Performance and a concentration in Athletic Training. Following graduation, she worked as a direct support professional with adults with disabilities. Most recently, Kephart worked at Select Physical Therapy, working with both high schools in the Des Moines area and with the Des Moines Menace soccer team. She also served as a physician extender at an Orthopedic Surgeon’s office. Kephart earned her Masters of Athletic Training from Midland in 2019.

Lauren Runquist

Lauren Runquist graduated from Iowa State University Athletic Training Program in 2020 and returned to Iowa State University in July of 2022 working with the Women’s Swim and Dive Team. After graduating from Iowa State, she was a graduate assistant at Eastern Kentucky University with the Softball and Coed Cheer team. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys being around her friends and family, her cat mousse, lifting, hiking, and baking.

Haili Hansen

Haili graduated from Iowa State University Athletic Training Program in 2019. After graduation, she was a graduate assistant at William Penn University working with Men’s Soccer, Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, and Men’s and Women’s Bowling, she graduated with a Masters in Sports Management in 2021. She now works for CNOS as the athletic trainer for Sioux City West High School. Outside of work, Haili enjoys spending time with her family, staying active, and listening to music.

Career Advancement Committee (CAC):

Athletic Trainers with 7-12 years of certification

Mission:

Represent the needs and concerns of Athletic Trainers in the 7th-12th year of their career in an equitable and inclusive environment across the state. We aim to support and encourage CAC Athletic Trainers through career advancement while also advocating for the athletic training profession in Iowa.

Expected Content/ events:

Work-life balance webinars, skills development workshops, Iowa job postings.

The CAC will develop educational sessions and materials to address issues around career satisfaction including salary negotiation, understanding benefits, value in the workplace and searching for jobs.

The CAC will collaborate with other committees to promote and develop resources focused on career skill development, workforce advancement and professional retention.

Jessica Rummery, MS, LAT, ATC
CAC Chair

Jessica , a native Texan, went to Texas State University from 2008-2012 where she received her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training. She continued her education with a Master’s of Kinesiology with emphasis in Athletic Training from Illinois State university in 2014. Jessica has provided athletic training services to Bettendorf High School in Bettendorf Iowa for 7 years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling with her husband, gardening, reading, and doing hot yoga.

Katie Berger, MA, LAT, ATC

Katie is an assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Iowa where she works with the Women's Volleyball program and Iowa Spirit Squads. A Glenwood, IA native, Katie went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for undergrad where she earned her BS in Athletic Training in 2013 and then earned her Master's degree at the University of Iowa where she served as a graduate assistant with the track and field programs. In her spare time Katie enjoys working on house projects with her husband Tony, gardening, volunteering at the Iowa City Animal Center and spoiling their dog, Rusty.

Resources:

Past Events:

Virtual Resume Workshop with Brad Floy, PhD, LAT, ATC