AT of the Year Bios
Andy Carter
Andy Carter received his BS in Kinesiology from William & Mary and his MS in Health, PE, and Recreation from Illinois State University. He has been a certified athletic trainer since 1998 and has been employed as an educator, program director and adjunct instructor, as well as, a clinician in both the college and secondary school settings. He has enjoyed the opportunities to serve on committees and give presentations on the state, regional, and national levels.
Throughout his career, he has been very involved in the clinical education of athletic training students, physicians, and other allied health professionals. While at William & Mary, he coordinated the educational aspects of the Sports Medicine Rotation of the Riverside Family Medicine Residency. He has served as a preceptor for numerous athletic training programs and as an Adjunct Professor for the Post-Professional Athletic Training Program at Old Dominion University. Andy has been an instructor of the SMART (Sideline Management Assessment Response Techniques) workshop for athletic trainers and primary care physicians to enhance their Sports Medicine skills and increase their confidence and competency to serve as physicians on the sidelines at sporting events. He is a partner in the ACES Preparatory Workshops to help athletic training students prepare for the Board of Certification Exam.
Currently, Andy is employed by Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters as a clinical outreach athletic trainer assigned to Queens Lake Middle School. He lives in Williamsburg, VA with his wife, Kristina, and two sons, Spencer and Drew. Return to AT of the Year page.
Tom Bowman
Dr. Tom Bowman is originally from central Pennsylvania and received his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from California University of Pennsylvania. Afterward, he earned his master’s degree in kinesiology and his doctorate in higher education from the University of Virginia. He currently serves as an associate professor in the department of athletic training at the University of Lynchburg. He has taught a wide variety of classes including upper extremity examination, kinesiology, research design, and thesis over his 14+ years at the college. His research interests include head/neck injury in sport, protective equipment, and socialization in athletic training. Return to AT of the Year page.
Michele Heisel
Michele Heisel is currently the Clinical Services Manager at Pinto Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Williamsburg, VA. She has held this position since 2012 where she oversees Athletic Trainers, Chiropractic Assistants, and Massage Therapists, while coordinating all physical medicine services provided to patients. Prior to that Michele served as a Senior Assistant Athletic Trainer at the College of William & Mary from 2005 to 2012.
From 2015 to 2018, Michele was the Clinical & Emerging Practices Committee Chair, while also during that time sat on the Third Party Reimbursement Task Force. She was also an ACES Workshop Instructor for several years.
Michele earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from California University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and a Master of Education with a specialization in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia in 2004. Return to AT of the Year page.
Heather Murphy
Heather Murphy is the fulltime Athletic Trainer at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA. Heather is in her 18th year at TJ. She attended Truman State University and graduated with a BS in Exercise Science in 1998. In 2001 she received an MS in Kinesiology from Michigan State University, and in 2005 earned her MEd from George Mason University.
Heather is active in the profession. She is a leader in the FCPS ATP mentoring newly certified and hired athletic trainers. She has been an adjunct instructor for George Mason University since 2013 teaching Functional Anatomy, Lower and Upper Body Physical Assessment. She has been a Preceptor for GMU since 2008 mentoring over 20 athletic training students. She was named NATA’s Preceptor of the Year in 2018. She served as the District 3 Public Relations Representative from 2011-2014. She was the VATA PR chair from 2006-2013.
Heather is being recognized for her exceptional work ethic, passion for working with secondary school students-athletes, parents and coaches, her collaboration within the FCPS ATP, and overall care she provides to her 700+ student-athletes in their unique environment. In her free time, Heather runs TJ’s Twitter and Instagram social media accounts and curates their athletics website. She enjoys bird watching, is a cat lover and self-proclaimed beachaholic. She is also pursuing her Doctor of Education in Health Professions from AT Still University. Return to AT of the Year page.
Alessa Lennon
Alessa Lennon finished her fourth season working with the William & Mary Football program as an Athletic Trainer. During her first two years at William and Mary she also worked with the Track and Field programs, and last year with the Women’s tennis program. Lennon joined W&M’s Sports Medicine staff in fall 2015 after earning her Post Professional Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from UNC-Chapel Hill. While at UNC, she worked with the Tar Heels’ football and fencing programs, and completed a master’s thesis on the measurement of head impact biomechanics. Since coming to W&M she has been involved in the care and coordination of long term injuries, movement efficiency testing and injury prevention programs, as well as the continuing education provider for the Sports Medicine staff. Return to AT of the Year page.
Rose Schmieg, DHSc, LAT, ATC, PT, OCS, CSCS, CISSN
Dr. Schmieg received her BS in Health and PE with a concentration in athletic training from West Chester University. Her MS in Physical Therapy Arcadia University and Doctor of Health Sciences, University of St. Augustine. Schmeig has two decades of experience teaching orthopedic examination and diagnosis along with orthopedic manual therapy and exercise intervention. Her teaching career began in physical therapy programs both at Howard University and then Shenandoah University. Currently, she instructs within the Shenandoah University MSAT and Performing Arts Medicine certificate program. Sports nutrition is another area of teaching expertise. Having been an ATP Program Director since 2001, she has used this experience to instruct Ethics and Professionalism in Athletic Training.
Schmeig has had the opportunity to be a faculty member for years under great leadership. Her career has ultimately lead her into administrative roles, directing the Shenandoah University Division of Athletic Training and previously the Division of Physical Therapy. Working with such an extensive variety in faculty and students has very much broadened her perspectives on effective teaching, leadership, and problem solving. Highlights have been attaining the NSCA CSCS, ISSN CISSN, APTA OCS, the ASOP OPE-C and Institute of Physical Therapy Manual Therapy Certifications. She has worked in a variety of out-patient orthopedic/sports medicine clinics including Winchester Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy and Capitol Rehabilitation of Winchester. Her most recent clinical practice has been with Shenandoah Conservatory dancers and instrumentalists. She received the NATA 25 year service award, which she believes means that old dogs can still learn new tricks. Return to AT of the Year page.