Speakers
Robert Waskowitz, MD
Dr. Robert Waskowitz serves as the senior team physician for Central Connecticut State University Athletics and medical director for the Athletic Training Education Program. Dr. Waskowitz graduated from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine in 1990 and completed his General Surgery Internship and Orthopedic Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He then completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the prestigious Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Dr. Waskowitz is one of the primary physicians covering the Summer and Winter X-Games for ESPN. He was awarded the Moyer Award from the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association in 2012 for his work as a team physician. Dr. Waskowitz continues to serve as an elected board member of the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) Committee on the Medical Aspect of Sport (CMAS). He is a member of numerous societies including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Connecticut State Medical Society, and the Connecticut Orthopedic Society.
Kristopher Ware, MD
As a Connecticut native, Dr. Ware grew up in Glastonbury and attended the University of Connecticut. There he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science followed by a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. He later earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from MGH Institute in Boston. He went into practice as a physical therapist treating sports related injuries and guiding patients in their post-operative rehabilitation. During that time, he served as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students, developed evidence-based treatment guidelines, provided lectures on advances in treatment of sports injuries at regional conferences, and participated in clinical research. After 6 years, with the encouragement of his orthopaedic surgeon mentors, he decided to follow his heart and applied to medical school.
Dr. Ware attended the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. While there he was awarded the Nathaniel Gould award for outstanding achievement in orthopedic surgery. He was also inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. After graduation he returned to Connecticut to complete his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Ware’s background in physical therapy and his passion for treatment of sports related injuries led him to obtain sub-specialty training through the Brown University Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship. There he trained with prominent sports medicine specialists treating complex knee ligament and cartilage injuries, various shoulder conditions, and athletic hip injuries. He also served as the team physician for Brown University Division 1 Athletics and the Providence Bruins professional hockey team. His research focus has included treatment of shoulder instability, biceps tenodesis techniques, ACL and other knee ligament injuries, and meniscus injuries.
Dr. Ware’s practice includes treatment of a wide spectrum of high school, college, and professional athletic injuries, as well as recreational and occupational injuries. He is the team physician for the University of Hartford and multiple local high schools. He performs advanced arthroscopic techniques for the shoulder, hip, and knee. He is specifically interested in the treatment of rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, knee ligament tears, articular cartilage injuries, meniscal tears, femoroacetabular impingement and hip labrum tears.
Robert Howards Jr., MS, ATC
Bob Howard is currently the Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Connecticut. He also serves as the Head Football Athletic trainer. Howard is a 1988 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. He later earned his master's degree in Exercise Physiology from UConn in 1991. Howard previously served on the National Athletic Trainers Association's Inter Collegiate Council for Sports Medicine and as the president for both The BIG EAST Sports Medicine Society and The Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association. In 2004, Howard received the Outstanding Kinesiology Award from UConn's Neag School of Education. The Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association named him Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2006 and most recently inducted him into the CATA Hall of Fame in 2017. He and his wife Stephanie reside in Tolland, CT and have two adult children, Emily and Nicole.
Zac Maass, DO
After completing his board certification in family medicine with the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, Dr. Maass went onto become board-certified in sports medicine, completing his fellowship here at UConn. His practice within Orthopedics and Sports Medicine focuses on the prevention and non-operative treatment/management of injuries affecting athletes of all ages and skill levels. He currently serves as the Head Team Physician for The Woodstock Academy, serves as the Medical Director for UConn Rec/Club Sports, and serves the UConn Athletic Department as a Sports Medicine Consultant.
Dan Veltri, MD
Dr. Veltri is board certified in orthopedics and sports medicine. Dr. Veltri graduated magna cum laude from Washington University and received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He completed his Surgical Residency at Hartford Hospital and his Orthopedic Residency at the University of Connecticut Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Veltri completed a Sports Medicine and Shoulder Fellowship emphasizing arthroscopic shoulder repairs at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed sports medicine journals and has also presented many research papers at national orthopedic meetings. His areas of research interest are arthroscopic knee ligament repair, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and shoulder reconstruction.
Dr. Veltri has completed a fellowship in sports medicine and is an experienced athletic team physician consultant. He has served a rotation for the New York Giants football team, attending to world class athletes both on and off the field. Today, Dr. Veltri provides athletic game coverage, and is the Team Physician to 10 local area high schools. Dr. Veltri was captain of his varsity wrestling team at Washington University and remains an avid athlete. In his free time, he is an active triathlete who participates in races from sprint to Ironman distances. He also enjoys running road races and cross-country skiing.
He is specialized in orthopedic sports medicine for patients of all ages and skill levels and provides customized preventative programs, injury rehabilitation, arthroscopy, and reconstructive surgery. His sports medicine specialty training guides his treatment of every patient regardless of age, activity level, or mechanism of injury. Dr. Veltri's goal is to help his patients return to optimum recovery and maximum performance.
Mary Cardarelli, PT, ATC
Mary Cardarelli received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training & a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science from Central Connecticut State University. For the past 29 years, Mary has worked as the Head Athletic Trainer at Manchester High School in CT and worked as a Sports Medicine instructor in the Medical Careers Academy. Mary has been involved in and initiated many fundraising raising events that have been instrumental in the hiring of the first MHS strength and conditioning coach, the creation of the Manchester Firefighters 9-11 Memorial Garden and the purchasing of 5 AEDs for recreational parks and schools through student service projects and golf tournaments. She has represented the school and the CATA on the Coordinated School Health Committee. She served on the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association as a Board of Director and during that time, worked on licensure and legislative initiatives. Mary established the Penny Dunker Polek Undergraduate Scholarship with the assistance of the CATA Board of Directors in 2012. She serves as a Clinical Preceptor for the University of CT and Central CT State University. Mary’s International experience includes duties as the Athletic Trainer for U-18 Irish Women’s National Team (2009, 2010) and a speaker at the 1st International Basketball Coaching Clinic in Spain and Portugal sponsored by the EU in 2019. She has received numerous awards: 2020 Henry Schein Service Award - Eastern Athletic Trainers Association, 2019 National Athletic Training Service Award, Eastern Athletic Trainers Association 2016 Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year, CT Athletic Trainers Association 2010 Athletic Trainer of the Year. In 2013, Mary was inducted into CT Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame and induction into Manchester Sports Hall of Fame occurred in 2008. Mary resides in Manchester, CT with her husband Bill and has 2 children: Megan & BJ.
Matthew May EMT-P
Matthew May is a nationally registered paramedic with 14 years of Emergency Medical Service experience. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Paramedic and works as a clinical quality assurance and improvement officer for New Britain Emergency Medical Services which is a 911 only emergency medical service responding to approx. 16,000 911 calls per year. Matt is responsible for clinical oversight of NBEMS’s 50 EMT’s and Paramedics while working to identify clinical improvements and training programs to help deliver outstanding prehospital clinical care. Matthew is from Australia with 2 children and enjoys spending his time off traveling to new places.
Caitlyn DiCioccio, ATC
Caitlyn DiCioccio works with Pivot Onsite Innovations and is the Athletic Trainer for Burris Logistics locations in CT, OK, and WI. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training in May 2019 from Sacred Heart University. She is currently attending graduate school at the University of New Haven for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and Management. Since graduating, has worked at Naugatuck High School as the Head Athletic Trainer for their athletics program and provided athletic training services to local youth sports camps. She has also provided health screening services for local industries to ensure efficiency within their workplace. Since working in the industrial setting, Caitlyn has created and conducted ergonomic and biomechanics assessments on warehouse team members, as well as manage and treat workplace injuries. Outside of the athletic training world, she enjoys traveling, modifying and working on her Jeep Wrangler, and being active with her friends and family.
Michael Kahn, LAT, ATC, CEAS III, FMT, COHC
Michael Kahn is s Senior Division Manager – Athletic Trainer for Pivot Onsite Innovations. While attending Temple University Michael served as an Athletic Trainer who provided care to a variety of athletes. Some institutions of competitive athletics include UPenn women’s volleyball and basketball, Temple University football, and the Lawrenceville Boarding School. Michael utilized the studies of biomechanics and exercise science as a personal trainer and health class instructor in several health facilities. He has served as an assistant to Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and other practitioners while providing specific and personalized therapy programs
for patients. With a background in sports related injuries and general rehabilitation, he provides therapeutic intervention, individualized wellness programs, injury prevention measures and ergonomics training. Contracted through Pivot Onsite Innovations, Michael now serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for Frito-Lay Aberdeen under the supervision of Dr. Lawrence Goren. Additionally, he serves as a Senior Division Manager for the Athletic Training Division. He has nearly 15 direct reports, all Athletic Trainers, who he provides first level of support to. As a Senior Manager, Michael finds business solutions such as employee development and networking strategies to support the company’s growth. He also directly oversees the construction setting for all Athletic Trainers to provide high level strategy to these accounts.
Kate Frink, MS, ATC, LAT CSCS
Kate Frick is a Doctoral Student in the Auburn University Warrior Research Center (WRC) and the Neuromechanics Research Laboratory led by Dr. JoEllen Sefton. The WRC serves as a catalyst for collaboration between researchers, the military and tactical athletes to develop and implement new knowledge in human factors. The center works to improve performance, resiliency and health and wellness while providing leadership through research, education, and training to better serve our Warriors, Veterans, tactical athletes, families and the community. Kate has 10+ years of clinical experience as an Athletic Trainer at various NCAA and NAIA institutions. She most recently functioned as a Military Athletic Trainer at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for a number of years working with Initial Entry Soldiers in Basic Training and Advanced Individualized Training. Kate holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Lynchburg, a master's degree from Syracuse University, and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at Auburn University.
JoEllen M. Sefton, PhD, ATC, LAT
JoEllen Sefton is a Professor and Director of the Auburn University Warrior Research Center (WRC) and the Neuromechanics Research Laboratory. The WRC serves as a catalyst for collaboration between researchers, the military and tactical athletes to develop and implement new knowledge in human factors. The center works to improve performance, resiliency and health and wellness while providing leadership through research, education and training to better serve our Warriors, Veterans, tactical athletes, families and the community. Dr. Sefton developed and led the AU Post Certification Graduate AT program and the Warrior Athletic Training Program at Ft. Benning, GA which provided sports medicine care, injury prevention, and performance improvement to over 60,000 Soldiers a year across 8 years. Dr. Sefton studies neuromuscular and physiological effects, prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of musculoskeletal injury and the effects on Tactical Athlete performance. She has an extensive Department of Defense research portfolio focused on improving human performance through research and applied knowledge across a wide range of populations. Dr. Sefton holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, a master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Moderator
Jeff Brown, MD
Dr. Jeff Brown is a team physician at Central Connecticut State University. He graduated from Brown Medical School in 1999, completed his family medicine and chief residencies at the University of Rochester, and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Connecticut in 2004. Dr. Brown practices sports medicine at the Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute at St. Francis Hospital/Trinity Health and is the assistant director of the UCONN primary care sports medicine fellowship. His practice focuses on the non-operative management of orthopedic injuries, sports-related concussion, and medical conditions that affect participation in sports, such as exercised induced asthma, common illnesses, and skin conditions.