Dr. Trevor Bates

What is your WHY?

Living in an unprivileged school district as a student athlete, it was tough to see the type of sports medicine services other school districts in more privileged areas had. I want to do what I can to help provide ALL student athletes the care they need.

Where are you from? What is your ethnic background?

I am originally from Chicago, Illinois and have lived in Kansas City, Kansas, Columbus, Ohio, several smaller towns in northwest Ohio and currently live in Toledo, Ohio. I’m am a bald African American male married to a beautiful Caucasian redhead. My professional journey has included clinic, collegiate, academic, and administrative roles in healthcare and higher education. I offer a wide range of board experience in healthcare organizations and executive leadership experience in nonprofit private businesses.

Who are your top 5?

Drake, Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, and Russ

Track Record

Dr. Trevor M. Bates is a nationally board-certified and Ohio-licensed athletic trainer with a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, academia, and senior administration in healthcare and higher education. From his early work as a sports medicine clinician to his current role as President of Mercy College in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Bates has consistently excelled in progressively demanding leadership positions. Under his leadership, Mercy College—focused on healthcare education—offers a wide range of certificate to graduate degree programs, delivered both in-person and online.

In addition to his presidency, Dr. Bates is the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at True Empowering, an organizational culture consulting firm that crafts customized strategies using DEIB principles to meet clients’ needs. His areas of expertise include organizational culture transformation, leadership development, emotional intelligence in talent acquisition, and career advancement strategy.

Dr. Bates also contributes significantly to his profession. He serves as Chair of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers License Board, and as Chair of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Council. His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2024 Outstanding Educator Award from the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association and distinguished alumni awards from both the University of Illinois’ College of Applied Health Sciences and Millikin University.

Dr. Bates is deeply rooted in his community in Ohio, where he resides with his wife and two children, maintaining an active and engaged presence in both professional and local circles.