PSM Athletic Trainer Mitch Anderson wins NATA Early Professionals’ Excellence Award

Parkview Sports Medicine (PSM) athletic trainer Mitchell Anderson, MS, LAT, ATC, has been named the winner of the 2026 Early Professionals’ Excellence Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). This award nationally recognizes athletic trainers for their contributions to advancing the profession within the first six years of their certification. Anderson, who has been the PSM athletic trainer for Wayne High School athletics for four years, was chosen by the NATA Early Professionals’ Committee.

“Winning this award is an honor,” Anderson says. “To know that they see a bright future for me is rewarding. I really want to lead young professionals into the future advancement of sports medicine.”

As PSM athletic trainer at Wayne, Anderson serves hundreds of student-athletes each year. From emergency treatment at games and practices to injury rehabilitation preventive care, he is dedicated to keeping athletes safe and helping them perform at their best.

“Being there from start to finish for every injury really creates a bond. I get to be their advocate and their biggest fan. Being there and supporting them is huge for me,” he adds.

“Mitch consistently puts the well-being of his student-athletes first,” Wayne athletic director Gary Raber says. “He treats every athlete with the highest standard of care, creating a supportive environment, where they can grow, recover and succeed.”

PSM & orthopedic partner, Ortho NorthEast (ONE), provide athletic training services to Wayne through a longstanding partnership with Fort Wayne Community Schools.

“Mitch exemplifies the PSM commitment to Safety On The Sidelines every day,” Candice Dunkin, PSM Director of Sports Medicine, says. “His passion for his job really shows; and through that, he really has become part of the Wayne community.”

Anderson grew up near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and discovered the athletic training profession through a student aide program at his high school. Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Toledo.

He will receive the Early Professionals’ Excellence Award during the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, June 29 to July 2, 2026, in Philadelphia.