Our Organization: The NHSSM-NHSSMA
Attention all current NHSSM Chapters:
Your old NHSSM chapter will be "Grandfathered" into the NHSSM-NHSSMA. No additional paperwork is needed!
The text below contains the National Constitution under which all National Honor Society of Sports Medicine for secondary schools/high schools and the National High School Sports Medicine Association (NHSSM_NHSSMA), which will dictate chapter operations.
Local chapters of NHSSM-NHSSMA are given authority to vary from some sections of this document.
Download the constitution or view below
Your old NHSSM chapter will be "Grandfathered" into the NHSSM-NHSSMA. No additional paperwork is needed!
The text below contains the National Constitution under which all National Honor Society of Sports Medicine for secondary schools/high schools and the National High School Sports Medicine Association (NHSSM_NHSSMA), which will dictate chapter operations.
Local chapters of NHSSM-NHSSMA are given authority to vary from some sections of this document.
Download the constitution or view below
| nhssm.nhssma_constitution_9.2016.pdf |
Managing Board
Eli Hallak - President
Eli Hallak, M.Ed., ATC, EMT is the Director of Health Services & Sports Medicine at St. Francis High School in La Canada, CA. He has been the Head Certified Athletic Trainer at SFHS since 1998. He also holds his EMT certification, and is a certified instructor in First Aid & CPR for the American Safety & Health Institute. Eli grew up in the San Fernando Valley where he graduated from Alemany High School. He attended Humboldt State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with emphasis in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. In 2015, Eli completed his Masters Degree in Education at William Howard Taft University. Eli has provided rehabilitative/emergency services to athletes at all levels of sport professional, collegiate, but has worked extensively at the high school level. He was employed in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, in Mission Hills, CA. There, he refined his rehabilitation skills for four years, prior to reentering the traditional ATC setting. A Preceptor for California State University Northridge's AT Program, Eli has assisted with the growth of Athletic Training Students since 1999.
As a faculty member at SFHS, Mr. Hallak teaches Introductory Kinesiology & Rehabilitation, a course designed to introduce the field of medical sciences to high school students with an emphasis on Athletic Training. In 2001, this course was the first Sports Medicine/Athletic Training course in California to be approved as a Lab Science by the U.C. Board of Regents in the traditional classroom setting. Mr. Hallak is in charge of all health care on campus, oversees the Volunteer High School: Head Athletic Training Student / Senior Athletic Training Student / Rookie Athletic Training Student Program and is the Moderator for the SFHS Sports Medicine Club. Eli has also developed and oversees the annual SFHS/AACI Sports Medicine Competition which, has become a state wide competition for high school students interested in the field of Athletic Training/Sports Medicine.
In 2003, Eli was named to the Far West Athletic Trainers Associations All District Team for Secondary Schools. In 2009, Eli received the Special Recognition Award for the California Athletic Trainers' Association.
In 2007, Eli was asked to serve on the Advisory Panel for High Sports Medicine and Sports Therapy Classes, for Los Angeles County Regional Occupational Programs. He as remanied active in the profession by being a 9 year Chair of the Revenue Committee and a since a committee member, being a member of the CATA Secondary School Committee, and being a member of the CIF Southern Section Sports Medicine Advisory Panel since 2012.
In 2007, while attending the St. Francis High School graduation ceremony, Eli envisioned the concept of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine and along with colleague Cindy Kramer began to sculpt the organization.
He resides in Stevenson Ranch, CA with his wife and two daughters.
As a faculty member at SFHS, Mr. Hallak teaches Introductory Kinesiology & Rehabilitation, a course designed to introduce the field of medical sciences to high school students with an emphasis on Athletic Training. In 2001, this course was the first Sports Medicine/Athletic Training course in California to be approved as a Lab Science by the U.C. Board of Regents in the traditional classroom setting. Mr. Hallak is in charge of all health care on campus, oversees the Volunteer High School: Head Athletic Training Student / Senior Athletic Training Student / Rookie Athletic Training Student Program and is the Moderator for the SFHS Sports Medicine Club. Eli has also developed and oversees the annual SFHS/AACI Sports Medicine Competition which, has become a state wide competition for high school students interested in the field of Athletic Training/Sports Medicine.
In 2003, Eli was named to the Far West Athletic Trainers Associations All District Team for Secondary Schools. In 2009, Eli received the Special Recognition Award for the California Athletic Trainers' Association.
In 2007, Eli was asked to serve on the Advisory Panel for High Sports Medicine and Sports Therapy Classes, for Los Angeles County Regional Occupational Programs. He as remanied active in the profession by being a 9 year Chair of the Revenue Committee and a since a committee member, being a member of the CATA Secondary School Committee, and being a member of the CIF Southern Section Sports Medicine Advisory Panel since 2012.
In 2007, while attending the St. Francis High School graduation ceremony, Eli envisioned the concept of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine and along with colleague Cindy Kramer began to sculpt the organization.
He resides in Stevenson Ranch, CA with his wife and two daughters.
Cindy Kramer - Vice President
Cindy Kramer MS, ATC, CSCS has been the Head Certified Athletic Trainer for Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California since 1987 Cindy graduated from Los Angeles Baptist High School, continuing her education at California State University, Northridge. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Coaching. After teaching P.E. at the elementary/middle school level, she returned to complete the Athletic Training program at CSUN, becoming certified in 1987. In 2006, Cindy received her Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from the United States Sports Academy. Her focus in acquiring this degree was in rehabilitation. Also, in 2007 she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Cindy has worked with collegiate and club level athletes but has primarily worked with high school athletes of all sports.
As a faculty member at NDHS, Cindy teaches Sports Medicine and Advanced Sports Medicine. The Sports Medicine class was developed by her in 1993 and received UC lab science approval in 2003. The Advanced Sports Medicine class received UC lab science approval in 2011. Cindy is in charge of supervising all students involved in the Sports Medicine program including their participation in training room and athletic activities.
In 2007, at the invitation of Eli Hallak ATC, EMT, Cindy has helped develop the concept of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine.
Cindy resides in Sherman Oaks, California.
As a faculty member at NDHS, Cindy teaches Sports Medicine and Advanced Sports Medicine. The Sports Medicine class was developed by her in 1993 and received UC lab science approval in 2003. The Advanced Sports Medicine class received UC lab science approval in 2011. Cindy is in charge of supervising all students involved in the Sports Medicine program including their participation in training room and athletic activities.
In 2007, at the invitation of Eli Hallak ATC, EMT, Cindy has helped develop the concept of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine.
Cindy resides in Sherman Oaks, California.
Kristen Dizon - Secretary
Kristen Dizon M.Ed., ATC, NREMT has been the Head Certified Athletic Trainer for Agoura High School, Agoura Hills, California since 2015. She also holds her NREMT certification and is a certified instructor in First Aid and CPR for American Heart Association and Emergency Care and Safety Institute. She holds a CA CTE Health Science credential as well as a CA Biology and Physical Education Single Subject Teaching Credential. She grew up in Ventura County and continued her education at Moorpark College and then received her Bachelors in Athletic Training from Cal State University of Northridge. While doing her Athletic Training Externship at St Francis and Notre Dame high school she was inspired to work in the secondary setting and mentor young medical professionals which led to her earning her masters degree in secondary education from University of Phoenix. Kristen stays involved with the growing AT profession by being a preceptor for Athletic Training Students at Cal State University of Northridge.
Kristen started as an outreach athletic trainer and worked with the largest orthopedic group in Ventura county while getting her masters degree. In 2015 she became the head of the Agoura Sports Medicine program and has since turned the program into the Kinesiology and Sports Medicine Academy. Under Kristen’s leadership she has grown the program from 65 students with 2 levels to over 220 students with 3 levels and a college partnership. The Kinesiology and Sports Medicine Program now has a robust CTE 3 year pathway that culminates with a medical internship program. She has also added a Medical Scribing and Rehabilitation course and also works with Community Colleges to provide her students with opportunities to get dual high school and college credit for classes such as Medical Terminology, Emergency Medical Responder, Introduction to Kinesiology, and more. She also founded the Agoura HOSA chapter and is the AACI advisor at Agoura High. She has had students who were first in the nation at both AACI and National HOSA in Sports Medicine Competitions.
Kristen was awarded with the CIF Championship of Character in 2021.
Kristen started as an outreach athletic trainer and worked with the largest orthopedic group in Ventura county while getting her masters degree. In 2015 she became the head of the Agoura Sports Medicine program and has since turned the program into the Kinesiology and Sports Medicine Academy. Under Kristen’s leadership she has grown the program from 65 students with 2 levels to over 220 students with 3 levels and a college partnership. The Kinesiology and Sports Medicine Program now has a robust CTE 3 year pathway that culminates with a medical internship program. She has also added a Medical Scribing and Rehabilitation course and also works with Community Colleges to provide her students with opportunities to get dual high school and college credit for classes such as Medical Terminology, Emergency Medical Responder, Introduction to Kinesiology, and more. She also founded the Agoura HOSA chapter and is the AACI advisor at Agoura High. She has had students who were first in the nation at both AACI and National HOSA in Sports Medicine Competitions.
Kristen was awarded with the CIF Championship of Character in 2021.
Jessica Truax - Historian
Jessica Truax, M.Ed, ATC
Currently, Jessica has been the new Head Athletic Trainer and CTE Faculty at San Dimas High School since 2020 where she has been working to build a new sports medicine program and NHSSM-NHSSMA Chapter. In addition, she is currently a preceptor for the MSAT programs at University of La Verne (since 2009) and Cal State University, Long Beach (since 2021). She was also a preceptor for Azusa Pacific University from 2013-2020 while she was at Damien High School. She works occasionally with medical students from Western University while they are being introduced to the sports medicine field as they pursue their DO degree in hopes of educating more physicians about the education and skills athletic trainers are capable of. She has been a CPR/ First Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross and EMS Safety, and holds a CTE and single subject teaching credential.
She grew up in Covina, CA and graduated from Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, CA. From there she went on to pursue her Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology: Athletic Training from Cal State University, Long Beach. For a short time she was an hourly Athletic Trainer for Mt. SAC under the great Andy Paulin, but found a full time position at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in their physical therapy department as their Sports Medicine Coordinator for 3 years. She worked closely with the family practice residency program on their sports medicine rotations, helped coordinate the Sports Medicine Center, worked in-patient and out-patient PT, as well as being their outreach AT. It was their outreach AT program that led her to Damien High School, and her current employment at San Dimas High School. After PVHMC she went on to be the first Certified Athletic Trainer for Damien High School in La Verne, CA and created their sports medicine program. She was the Director of Sports Medicine, Faculty and eventually the Science Department and PE Chair. She was employed at Damien for 14 years (2006-2020). She completed her Master’s in Education in 2010 from the University of La Verne.
Jessica is passionate about education and the athletic training profession. In her work, she hopes to help students find a passion in the medical field and help educate the public about what a Certified Athletic Trainer is and does. She resides in Rancho Cucamonga, CA with her understanding and supportive husband who is a coach and teacher at Damien High School.
Currently, Jessica has been the new Head Athletic Trainer and CTE Faculty at San Dimas High School since 2020 where she has been working to build a new sports medicine program and NHSSM-NHSSMA Chapter. In addition, she is currently a preceptor for the MSAT programs at University of La Verne (since 2009) and Cal State University, Long Beach (since 2021). She was also a preceptor for Azusa Pacific University from 2013-2020 while she was at Damien High School. She works occasionally with medical students from Western University while they are being introduced to the sports medicine field as they pursue their DO degree in hopes of educating more physicians about the education and skills athletic trainers are capable of. She has been a CPR/ First Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross and EMS Safety, and holds a CTE and single subject teaching credential.
She grew up in Covina, CA and graduated from Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, CA. From there she went on to pursue her Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology: Athletic Training from Cal State University, Long Beach. For a short time she was an hourly Athletic Trainer for Mt. SAC under the great Andy Paulin, but found a full time position at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in their physical therapy department as their Sports Medicine Coordinator for 3 years. She worked closely with the family practice residency program on their sports medicine rotations, helped coordinate the Sports Medicine Center, worked in-patient and out-patient PT, as well as being their outreach AT. It was their outreach AT program that led her to Damien High School, and her current employment at San Dimas High School. After PVHMC she went on to be the first Certified Athletic Trainer for Damien High School in La Verne, CA and created their sports medicine program. She was the Director of Sports Medicine, Faculty and eventually the Science Department and PE Chair. She was employed at Damien for 14 years (2006-2020). She completed her Master’s in Education in 2010 from the University of La Verne.
Jessica is passionate about education and the athletic training profession. In her work, she hopes to help students find a passion in the medical field and help educate the public about what a Certified Athletic Trainer is and does. She resides in Rancho Cucamonga, CA with her understanding and supportive husband who is a coach and teacher at Damien High School.
Ellen Payne - Treasurer
Ellen K. Payne, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS, EMT
Assistant Professor
Moravian University
Dr. Payne attended the University of Nevada, Reno earning her PhD in Educational Leadership. Before attending UNR, Dr. Payne spent 6 years teaching and working as an athletic trainer at Woodside Priory School in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Payne also supervised undergraduate students from San Jose State University Athletic Training Program while at the Priory. Dr. Payne worked as graduate assistant athletic trainer for women’s soccer and men’s and women’s track and field at San Francisco State University while attending San Jose State University for her masters. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Clinically, she has worked with all levels of athletes from youth sports to professional soccer. In the winter of 2019, she traveled to Spain with the US Paralympic Alpine Ski Team to serve as their athletic trainer during World Cup racing. Dr. Payne is also an EMT with Bethlehem Township EMS and member of the National Ski Patrol. . Dr. Payne’s research interests include athletic training education, concussion education, and prehospital emergency care. She has authored more than 50 articles and presentations. Currently, she serves as an assistant editor for the Athletic Training Education Journal and is the EATA secretary.
When she is not working Dr. Payne enjoys skiing and hiking.
Assistant Professor
Moravian University
Dr. Payne attended the University of Nevada, Reno earning her PhD in Educational Leadership. Before attending UNR, Dr. Payne spent 6 years teaching and working as an athletic trainer at Woodside Priory School in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Payne also supervised undergraduate students from San Jose State University Athletic Training Program while at the Priory. Dr. Payne worked as graduate assistant athletic trainer for women’s soccer and men’s and women’s track and field at San Francisco State University while attending San Jose State University for her masters. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Clinically, she has worked with all levels of athletes from youth sports to professional soccer. In the winter of 2019, she traveled to Spain with the US Paralympic Alpine Ski Team to serve as their athletic trainer during World Cup racing. Dr. Payne is also an EMT with Bethlehem Township EMS and member of the National Ski Patrol. . Dr. Payne’s research interests include athletic training education, concussion education, and prehospital emergency care. She has authored more than 50 articles and presentations. Currently, she serves as an assistant editor for the Athletic Training Education Journal and is the EATA secretary.
When she is not working Dr. Payne enjoys skiing and hiking.