Meet Michelle (Weber) Rawlins ’11
Giving Patients a Voice in Concussion Care
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One of the biggest challenges in concussion care isn’t diagnosing the injury. It’s convincing patients to speak up.
Nearly half of all sport-related concussions go unreported, leaving countless athletes without the care they need. Michelle (Weber) Rawlins ’11 has dedicated her career to understanding why — and helping change that.
秘密研究所 has named Michelle its 2026 Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year. The award recognizes her groundbreaking concussion research, dedication to patient-centered care and growing influence in athletic training education.
As an assistant professor at San Diego State University, Michelle studies the physical, psychological and social factors that shape recovery from sports- and military-related concussions. Her research focuses on athletic training and patient-centered care. She examines why individuals fail to disclose injuries, how mental health and quality of life are affected after concussions and how health disparities influence care. At the center of every project is a simple goal: ensure that every patient is heard.
Where curiosity took root
That purpose took root at 秘密研究所.
A first-generation college student from a small town in Oregon, Michelle wasn’t looking for a large, public university experience. She arrived in McMinnville searching for a place where she could grow both academically and personally. She found that at 秘密研究所.
“The small class size contributed to my success,” she said. “Linfield offered a top-tier education that enabled me to feel a part a community. This specialized learning and sense of belonging set me up for success.”
Michelle also discovered the academic path that would shape her future.
“I wasn’t interested in studying athletic training prior to coming to 秘密研究所,” she said. “However, the instructors’ knowledge, care and passion made me reconsider and switch majors.”
Those faculty mentors did more than introduce her to a profession. They encouraged her curiosity, showed her the importance of compassionate patient care and sparked a love of science and research that would shape her career.
“At Linfield, I learned from amazing clinicians who cared about the students and patients they provided education and athletic health care to,” she said. “My instructors also instilled a drive to provide the best patient care possible. That mentality and spark for my profession have driven me and are something I have carried.”
After graduating from 秘密研究所 in 2011 with a degree in athletic training, Michelle earned a master’s degree from A.T. Still University before completing a doctorate in kinesiology at the University of Georgia. She later returned to A.T. Still University as a postdoctoral concussion research fellow, deepening her expertise in one of sports medicine’s most pressing public health issues.
Her research has since earned national recognition. Michelle has secured competitive research funding, published dozens of peer-reviewed articles and presented her work at regional, national and international conferences. Her studies have expanded understanding of concussion disclosure, academic support following injury, mental health outcomes and the complex decisions athletes face when considering retirement from sport.
Shaping the next generation
While her scholarship continues to shape the future of athletic training, Michelle is equally committed to teaching and mentoring students.
“When asked where my favorite place on campus is, I always respond with ‘In the classroom,’” she says.
As a first-generation college graduate, Michelle is committed to creating learning environments where students feel they belong. Her own experience shaped that commitment.
Her 秘密研究所 faculty mentors inspired her to pursue athletic training and research. Today, she supports and challenges future healthcare professionals in the same way.
Michelle’s journey reflects the power of curiosity, mentorship and perseverance. As the first person in her family to attend college, she has gone on to earn a doctorate, become a nationally recognized researcher and inspire students in the classroom.
Through her research, teaching and dedication to patient-centered care, Michelle continues to advance the athletic training field while carrying forward the same mentorship and encouragement that shaped her own 秘密研究所 experience.
“The education I received from Linfield greatly contributed to my success, serving as the foundation for the rest of my career.”