First, this is dedicated to my husband, Rafael Gomez, and my children.
Leadership begins at home.
I also dedicated this work to my father. He passed his passion for leadership
on to me and has spent much time discussing leadership application with me. My
passion for leadership came through him.
This is dedicated to my mother. She wrote a book when she had four children
and her example had me thoroughly convinced that I could do anything, including
complete a doctoral program while starting a family.
Lastly, this is dedicated to Athletic Trainers across the nation, including the
ones I have been privileged to call colleagues. They provide medical care across
many settings. They stay late at work due to rain delays or unannounced practice
schedule changes far too many nights. They argue with referees or coaches or
doctors to ensure proper medical care is given to an athlete. They spend just as much
time listening and being a counselor as they do evaluating injuries and prescribing
rehabilitations. They tape even the walk-ons who will never likely see any playing
time, so they feel just as much a part of the team as the other athletes. They spend
countless hours on associations and committees working on tasks to provide benefits
to members, travel to meet congressmen and women, and work to pass legislation
necessary for the advancement of the profession and the safety of athletes and the
physically active.
This is for all of you.