MSAT grad receives national recognition

Bridget Donachie MSAT '26 received the 2026 Bobby Gunn Student Leadership Award, a national recognition from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation, at the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo on July 1 in Philadelphia. Recognizing one of the profession’s pioneers, the award allows students to attend NATA’s annual convention at no cost.

NATA is segmented geographically into 10 districts. Donachie won in District 2, which comprises all of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. Donachie had served as Alvernia’s District 2 student ambassador, attending monthly meetings with other students from schools in the district.

Ashley Gray, DAT, LAT, ATC, assistant professor and coordinator of clinical education for the Alvernia Athletic Training Program, encouraged Donachie to enter and wrote a recommendation letter.

Donachie attended over half a dozen professional conferences during her time at Alvernia, presenting case studies at two of them. She also presented a research project on micronutrient effects on recovery and performance at the Berks County Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference held at Alvernia in the spring.

“I always knew I wanted to go into healthcare because I loved to talk and help people,” the Cinnaminson, N.J., native said. “I started helping my high school athletic trainer during after-school hours and loved the environment and common goal of the athletic trainer and the patient to get back on the field.”

Donachie transferred to Alvernia during her sophomore year after her original institution shut down its athletic training program. She made the most of her time here, serving as a peer mentor, Orientation Weekend Leader, and president and vice president of the Athletic Training Student Association.

“Peer connection and learning are so powerful and a great reinforcer for time in the classroom,” she said. “Going through a graduate program is a labor of love that can be mentally challenging. Peer discussions on experiences at clinical and class topics that cohorts above you have experienced and got through help you feel not so alone. It shows that you have people to lean on who are going through or have gone through similar experiences.”

She performed her clinical rotations at Berks Catholic High School, Kutztown High School and Kutztown University, where she worked with the women’s lacrosse team. She also helped to reinstitute the university’s clinical contract with Villanova University, a connection that allowed her to travel with the school’s football team. She hopes to continue working in the college setting post-graduation.

“I also want to continue to use my Alvernia connections to help support me on my professional journey,” she said, “as they have done for me already.”

- By Jon Fassnacht