CREATE 2025 Keynote Speakers
Jason Mihalik, PhD, CAT(C), ATC, FACSM, FNATA
​Dr. Jason Mihalik is a Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he serves as Director of the Matthew Gfeller Center and Chief Executive Officer of the THRIVE Program. He also holds adjunct appointments in the Departments of Neurosurgery and Allied Health Sciences and serves as Affiliate Faculty with the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, focusing on traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Mihalik is a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Dr. Mihalik earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a specialization in Athletic Therapy from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 2001. He completed his Master’s degree in Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh in December 2004 and earned his Ph.D. in Human Movement Science at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2009.
Dr. Mihalik’s research focuses on the biomechanics of head trauma and its clinical outcomes, spanning civilian athletes and military warfighters. His work emphasizes innovative approaches to concussion assessment, management, and rehabilitation, including advancements in neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and the study of ocular and vestibular function. He has developed smartphone applications to empower lay responders to recognize and manage concussion symptoms effectively and conducts research on field management of neurotraumatic spine-related injuries.
Audrée Dufresne, BSc, CAT(C), TSAC-F
Audrée is a certified athletic therapist, massage practitioner, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator, and co-founder of the ATHENA program. She is also an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
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Her journey began with 20 years of dance, earning a DEC in Contemporary Dance from Cégep Saint-Laurent in 2016. During this time, she developed a passion for fitness and injury management, obtaining her first personal training certification in 2014 while working in gyms across Montreal.
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In 2021, Audrée completed a B.Sc. in Athletic Therapy at Concordia University, receiving the Dave H. Jones Award and scholarship. She has since pursued additional certifications, including massage therapy and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator with the NSCA.
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Joining the CAF in 2018 as an infanteer, she later trained as a medical assistant, gaining expertise in emergency care and clinical treatment in diverse environments. Combining her military and athletic therapy experience, she co-founded the ATHENA program in 2020. Funded by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Quebec Veteran Foundation, ATHENA supports retired women veterans through peer support and wellness programming.
Now based in Petawawa, Ontario, Audrée runs a private athletic therapy practice while serving as a reservist with the 1st Canadian Field Hospital.
Julie Cavallario, PhD, ATC
​Dr. Cavallario is an Associate Professor of athletic training at Old Dominion University. She received her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from SUNY Cortland, and her Master’s degree in Education and PhD in Human Movement Science from Old Dominion University. She currently serves as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Athletic Training and is an Associate Editor for the Athletic Training Education Journal and the International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training.
Her research has focused on the preparation of athletic training students for clinical practice and the professional issue of salaries and salary negotiation within the field of athletic training. ​​​​​​​​
Scott Livingston, CAT(C), CSCS
​Scott Livingston is an Athletic Therapist, Master Performance Coach and Neuro Reconditioning Professional. He has 37+ years of practice in the human performance industry working in every conceivable performance environment. Over the course of his career, he has trained and reconditioned College, Olympic and Professional athletes from just about every imaginable sport.
He also served in the NHL in the role of AT and Lead S+C Coach for the New York Islanders, Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens. He is the Co-Founder of ReconditioningHQ with his wife Jaime. He is also the host of the groundbreaking life journey podcast, Leave Your Mark found on all streaming services.
Geoff Dover, PhD, CAT(C), ATC
​Dr. Dover’s research attempts to answer why some people feel more pain than others and how this increase in pain affects recovery and function.
After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph he completed his Athletic Therapy training at Sheridan College. He then earned his master’s degree and PhD at the University of Florida. He is a Certified Athletic Therapist and a Certified Athletic Trainer and is currently an associate Professor at Concordia University where he has worked since 2008.
Dr. Dover is particularly interested in the biopsychosocial factors that influence patient outcomes and the development of chronic pain.