CHS Professor Named 2026 NATA Fellow

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Hanna Hoch, PhD, professor in the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition and program director of the Professional Master’s in Athletic Training, has been named a 2026 Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

NATA Fellow status recognizes association members who have demonstrated outstanding professional scholarly achievement combined with leadership in advancing research and scholarly endeavors in athletic training, including the education and scholarly development of trainees. Only the most accomplished scholars contributing to the athletic training profession earn this distinction and may use the designation “FNATA.”

Hoch’s primary research focuses on improving health-related quality of life and physical activity after musculoskeletal injury. She also advocates for patient-centered care in athletic training clinical practice through the use of patient-reported outcome instruments.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected as a member of the Class of 2026 NATA Fellows,” Hoch said. “I would like to thank each and every mentor, colleague and co-investigator for their support and dedication to my growth over my career. Without their knowledge, time, effort, encouragement, discouragement and support, this honor would not be possible. I would also like to thank the NATA Fellows Committee for their time serving in their role and reviewing applications.”

Hoch said the honor also recognizes her role as a mentor. 

“There is nothing that brings me more joy than contributing to the development of my students,” she said. “Students are the future, and pouring into their growth and giving them opportunities far beyond my abilities or dreams is what drives me each and every day. While the title of NATA Fellow may have been given to me, it was earned because of all of my professional, post-professional and doctoral student trainees that have given me the honor of serving them. Together we achieved goals and I truly, truly, thank them for being a part of achieving mine.”

Hoch earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the Rehabilitation and Health Sciences PhD program at the University of Kentucky in 2012 and her Master of Public Health from UK in 2022. She completed her Master of Science at Ohio University and her Bachelor of Science at Ohio Northern University.

At a minimum, candidates for NATA Fellow status must be members in good standing; hold Board of Certification (BOC) certification for at least 10 years; maintain at least 10 years of NATA membership; have held a terminal degree for 10 or more years; and demonstrate sustained involvement in disseminating research at NATA annual meetings during the decade preceding application. 

Candidates must also show leadership in developing a research agenda with noteworthy impact on the athletic training profession. Members may not apply while serving on the NATA Board of Directors.

Complete application packets are reviewed and scored by the NATA Fellows Committee based on the quality and impact of research, relevance to advancing athletic training, national or international recognition, educational contributions to developing research trainees and leadership in scholarly endeavors. Viable candidates are recommended to the NATA Board of Directors for approval.

Nominations for Fellows status are open annually from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15.

With more than 40,000 members, NATA typically recognizes just five fellows per year on average. Hoch marks the fifth CHS professor to earn the award, joining Dr. Tim Uhl ('08), Dr. Phillip Gribble ('12), Dr. Tim Butterfield ('19), and Dr. Matt Hoch ('23). 

For more information about the NATA Fellows program, contact Katie Scott at honorsandawards@nata.org