Athletic Training Residency Faculty
Medical Director
Damion Martins, MD, is board-certified in sports medicine and internal medicine, is affiliated with Atlantic Medical Group and is a participating provider of Atlantic Accountable Care Organization. He currently holds positions as team physician and director of internal medicine, New York Jets; director, Executive Health Program, Atlantic Health System; director, orthopedics and sports medicine, Atlantic Health System; medical advisor, New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA); assistant clinical professor of orthopedics and medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; member of the NFL's Team Physician Society; and member of the board of trustees, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center.
Dr. Martins graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he also obtained his master's degree in exercise physiology and biophysics. After completing an internship and residency in internal medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, he began a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Maryland. While there, he served as fellow team physician for the school, as well as the National Football League's (NFL) Baltimore Ravens and Major League Lacrosse's Chesapeake Bayhawks.
In 2002, Dr. Martins joined the NY Jets as a medical consultant and was later promoted to the team's Director of Internal Medicine. His extensive experience on both the professional and collegiate levels also includes serving as the chief of internal medicine for the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, administrative director for Major League Soccer and as team physician for the National Hockey League's (NHL) New York Islanders, Arena Football League's New York Dragons, Molloy College, State University of New York Old Westbury and Hofstra University.
A recognized leader in sports performance and exercise testing, Dr. Martins frequently lectures on sports medicine and is renowned for his research in hydration, cardiovascular training programs and concussions. He has authored book chapters on the pre-participation exam and medical conditions that limit sports participation, and during his time as a member of the NHL Advisory Committee, he helped develop the league's pre-participation exam guidelines.
At his Atlantic Medical Group practice, Dr. Martins regularly sees both athletes and weekend warriors, helping them overcome musculoskeletal injuries and improve their physical performance.
Program Director
Danielle Palestina, ATC, RN is currently the Assistant Manager of the Sports Medicine Service Line and Program Director of the Athletic Training Residency Program at Atlantic Health System. Danielle graduated with honors from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. After graduation Danielle became the Head Athletic Trainer for Pope John XXIII Regional High School. While working in the secondary school setting Danielle began working for renowned sports medicine physician Dean Padavan, MD at Atlantic Sports Health. Eventually, Danielle transitioned into the physician practice setting full-time and returned to school to earn a degree in nursing.
Core Faculty
Adam Kahn, PA-c, ATC is currently the Senior Manager of the Sports Medicine Service Line and a Core Faculty member for the Athletic Training Residency Program at Atlantic Health System. Adam graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Following his graduation, he worked at Hofstra University as an Associate Athletic Trainer covering football, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, and baseball. While employed at Hofstra, Adam completed his Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Med and also began his coursework for his Masters in Health Administration. Adam then went on to pursue his Master’s degree as a Physician Assistant. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine, Physicians Associate Program. Soon after graduating, Adam joined Atlantic Sports Health as a Sports Medicine Physician Assistant under the supervision of Damion Martins, MD. Adam also works as surgical assistant on a part time basis to various orthopedic surgeons at Atlantic Health System.
Laura Kehr, MS, ATC, OT-SC joined Atlantic Health in 2023 working directly with Orthopedic Surgeon Nicholas Avallone. Laura completed a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Southern Utah University where she also competed as a Division I track and field athlete. Following graduation from Southern Utah, Laura went on to earn a Master's degree in Advanced Athletic Training from the University of South Carolina. While at South Carolina, Laura worked as a Graduate Assistant athletic trainer at Columbia College and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. She also earned the Athletic Training inspiration award from South Carolina in 2022.
Prior to joining Atlantic Health, Laura completed an Athletic Training Residency in Orthopedics from St. Luke's University Health Network in Pennsylvania. Here she earned recognition for her research study titled Assessing Psychological Readiness After ACL Surgery Using the ACL-RSI: A Quality Improvement Initiative and presented at the Athletic Trainers in the Physician Practice Society annual meeting in 2024.
Athletic Training Residency Affiliated Faculty
One of the largest board-certified, fellowship-trained faculty in the country.
- David Levine, DO
- Nick Avallone, MD
- Shazad Shaikh, MD
- Dean Padavan, MD
- Robert Monaco, MD
- Derrick Heydinger, DO
- Lauren Mastrobuoni, MS, ATC, PES
- Diana Stavrou, ATC, OTC
- Ryan Caruth, MS, LAT, ATC, OT-SC, OPE-SC
- Taryn Perkins, MAS
Current Athletic Training Resident
Past Athletic Training Residents
- 2019-2020 Ashley Roy, ATC
- 2020-2021 Jamie Gallagher, MPH, ATC
- 2021-2022 Ryan Caruth, MS, ATC
- 2022-2023 Victoria Poole, ATC