Donna Hull does not look at her life through the obstacles that she had to overcome. She sees through the eyes of what she was given – not what she lacked, to get where she is today. “It is a vision of persistence, gratefulness and ownership of creating your own path despite each person’s unique challenges.”
Donna worked for 33 years in the Dublin City School System and was the first female athletic trainer in the state to develop a high-school-focused sports medicine program. She was mentored by many great physicians and athletic trainers and learned how to care for children, care for families, and become a true medical servant leader to her community. After working in Dublin City Schools she didn’t decide to retire. Her career took an unexpected turn that led her back to her roots of pediatric and adolescent medicine – as the Sports Medicine Coordinator with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “The incredible vision and mission of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and NCH Sports Medicine was something I wanted to lend my time and talent to as I transition my wisdom to the next generation of incredibly talented young athletic trainer servant leaders.”
Donna’s responsibilities as the Sports Medicine Coordinator include oversight of 16 High School Athletic Training Sports Medicine Outreach programs and supervision of the professional athletic trainers that deliver the quality sports medicine care to athletes and school communities. A networking opportunity within the hospital has allowed Donna to also be part of the Opioid Safety Task Force that was initiated within the hospital in September 2015. Donna helps in promoting drug free school groups and works with communities to advocate for supporting youth. “I have mentored and found a special place for young people with a broad continuum of behavioral health challenges throughout my career and found my most rewarding work in those moments.”
Donna has been blessed to have numerous, timely, impactful life-changing moments that have propelled her to greater tiers of servant leadership. “Many of those moments unfolded during the loss of dearly loved mentors who died too early in their life. It was in those quiet, reflective moments that I was presented with the opportunity to lean in, to transition from being the student to being the master, and own and openly live my beliefs to serve and lead. I represent not only myself but those who preceded me and created the path and those that I influence who will follow me to new heights. They were influential, impactful women leaders of their family, women pioneers of their profession who passed on their wisdom to lift me up. And so I ask the defining question – if not me, than whom?”