People
Bio-Sketch
DJ Gililland Jr., EdD, LAT, ATC joined the University of Houston’s Department of Health & Human Performance faculty on July 1, 2023. A native of White Deer, Texas, Gililland obtained a Bachelor of Behavioral Science Degree in All-Level Physical Education in 1998 from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. After graduating he pursued a Master of Science in Education Degree from Northwest Missouri State University where he also served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Football & Baseball Programs. In 2015, he received his Doctor of Education from Texas A&M University and transitioned to teaching in Athletic Training Education programs.
Dr. Gililland has been an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) for 27 years and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the NATA Service Award, Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association Bobby Gunn Unsung Hero Award, and the Distinguished Alumni award from Hardin-Simmons University. Clinically, he has served as an athletic trainer within the intercollegiate setting NAIA, NCAA (DI, II, III), and rural public schools in West Texas.
Research Interests
Dr. Gililland’s research interest centers around clinical and interprofessional education. He is most interested in how problem-based learning is used in clinical education. Other areas of interest include concussion return-to-learn protocols, and implementation of various therapeutic interventions for recovery and return-to-activity.
Contemporary Expertise
Domain I: Risk Reduction, Wellness and Health Literacy· Pre-Participation Screenings (design, management, and administration) Health Literacy and Patient Education (development, counseling, and implementation)
· Environmental hazards and wellness (severe weather monitoring and heat illness)
Domain II: Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis
· Primary Care and General Medical Conditions (cardiopulmonary, neurological, gastrointestinal, and HEENT)
· Orthopedic (lower Extremity, head, cervical spine, facial)
Domain III: Critical Incident Management
· Advance Wound Care (traumatic wound care, wound debridement techniques and closure)
· Advanced Airway Management (oxygen delivery methods, oral airways, nasopharyngeal airways, LMA, iGel, combi-tube, and King-Airways)
· Acute Injury/Illness Management (mTBI/concussion, cervical spine, orthopedic and vascular, environmental, and endocrine conditions)
Domain IV: Therapeutic Intervention
· Pharmacological (drug testing appropriate use, and education, parenteral administration as directed by physician)
· IASTM (Graston Technique Provider)
Domain V: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility Legal and Ethical Practice
· Policy Development
· Leadership, Mentoring, and Supervision
· Quality Assurance/Enhancement Development and Assessment Documentation and Professional Administration
Recent Publications and Research Activity
Corbett, R., Gililland, D., Walters, F. The role of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in career satisfaction in athletic training. Oral presentation at: National Athletic Trainers Association 73rd Annual Clinical Symposia; June 2022; Philadelphia, PA.
Gililland, D. The effects of problem-based learning in narrowing the theory application gap with athletic training students. Abstract presented at: Texas Society for Allied Health Professions Annual Meeting; September 2019; Lubbock, TX.
Gililland, D. Engaging preceptors and athletic training Students, clinical instructional strategies to narrow the theory application gap. Abstract presented at: 7th Biennial Southeast Athletic Training Educators Conference; March 2018; Atlanta, GA
Education
B.S. in Behavioral Science at Hardin-Simmons University, 1998
M.S. in Education at Northwest Missouri State University, 2000
Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University, 2015