Congratulations to BOC 2026 Volunteer Service Award Honorees
The Board of Certification (BOC) is pleased to announce its 2026 volunteer service award winners:
- Lorna Strong, EdD, LAT, ATC – Dan Libera Service Award
- Sam Wilkins, PhD, ATC – Dan Libera Service Award
Both of this year’s award recipients are dedicated BOC volunteers, leaders and contributors to the athletic training profession.
The Dan Libera BOC Service Award was established in 1995 in recognition of Dan’s contributions to the BOC’s certification program. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated dedication to the BOC’s mission.
Strong has made long-standing contributions to the BOC through more than 25 years of dedicated volunteer service in support of credentialing excellence and the athletic training profession. Her commitment spans multiple eras of the certification process evolution, from serving as an examiner, test materials coordinator and test site administrator during the practical examination years to her ongoing work as a member and mentor on the Exam Development Committee. Over the past two decades, Strong has played an important role in developing and strengthening examination content, helping ensure the BOC examination remains relevant, fair and reflective of entry-level practice.
In addition to her exam development work, Strong served as an Examiner Training Workshop Facilitator, helping prepare and train qualified examiners to support the administration of BOC examinations. Her willingness to share expertise and mentor others has strengthened the volunteer community and contributed to the integrity of the certification process. Throughout her service, Strong has consistently demonstrated leadership, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to advancing the BOC’s mission, vision and values. Her decades of volunteerism and advocacy for the profession exemplify the spirit of service represented by the Dan Libera Award.
Wilkins has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the BOC through more than a decade of volunteer service with the Exam Development Committee, where he has advanced through roles as an item writer, reviewer, mentor and, most recently, Co-Chair of the Stand-Alone group. His contributions have directly supported the quality, validity and integrity of the BOC examination, helping ensure that certification standards continue to protect the public and reflect contemporary athletic training practice.
Known for his thoughtful leadership, attention to detail and dedication to excellence, Wilkins has become a trusted mentor and resource for fellow volunteers. He has devoted countless hours to item development, statistical review, volunteer mentoring and examination quality assurance, often taking on additional projects to support the organization’s needs. Beyond the Exam Development Committee, Wilkins has contributed to international item-writing initiatives, continuing professional certification efforts and outreach activities that strengthen the BOC’s impact. His service reflects a deep commitment not only to the BOC, but also to advancing the athletic training profession through leadership at the state, district and national levels. Through every role, Wilkins has demonstrated reliability, integrity and servant leadership that embody the values of the Dan Libera Award.
Congratulations to our distinguished award winners! Strong and Wilkins were both honored during the BOC volunteer reception on July 1st at the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Philadelphia.
For more information about BOC awards, visit BOCATC.org/volunteerawards.
