Congratulations to BOC 2023 Volunteer Service Award Honorees

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The Board of Certification (BOC) is pleased to announce its 2023 volunteer service award winners: Rusty McKune, MS, ATC - Dan Libera Service Award; Rob Dicks, Sr., MA, LAT, ATC - Denise Fandel Award of Excellence; and Brian Hortz, - PhD, ATC, SFDN - Paul Grace BOC Leadership Award. Each of this year’s award recipients are dedicated BOC volunteers, leaders and contributors to the athletic training profession.

The Dan Libera Service Award, which recognizes individuals for their dedication to the mission of the BOC was awarded to McKune for his long-standing contributions. His service encompasses committee work, as well as being both a past member and president of the BOC Board of Directors. McKune is the current chair of the BOC International Committee and was pivotal in the development of the International Arrangement prompting global expansion for the athletic training and therapy profession.

The Denise Fandel Award of Excellence recognizes individuals for their influence and ability to empower and inspire others to be effective leaders and cultivate future growth and innovation. Dicks has impacted the BOC through his service as a founding member of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Advocacy Strategies (IDEAS) Committee, as well as being part of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Ethnic Diversity Advisory Council (EDAC). In addition, he has developed a strong mentoring network, working to support and guide more than 100 early professional Athletic Trainers.

The Paul Grace BOC Leadership Award honors individuals who demonstrate strong vision, leadership, friendship and mentoring abilities that help cultivate future BOC leaders and programs. Hortz has made a long-standing contribution to the BOC, especially in exam development, serving on the Exam Development Committee (EDC) for eight years as well as being a test site administrator and materials coordinator for 14 years. He currently serves as EDC co-chair and has been instrumental in the development of effective exam writers. Hortz has been involved with multiple special projects, as well, including development of the “Practice Analysis, 8^th Edition” and the Mental Health Competence Assessment Module (CAM).

Congratulations to all distinguished award winners! We look forward to honoring each of them at the 74^th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Indianapolis on June 22^nd.

For more information about BOC awards visit BOCATC.org/volunteer.