Like much of the world, in March 2020, colleges and universities, as well as secondary schools, shut down to help stifle the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some colleges and universities, that meant students were sent home – that’s if they could go home. International students, graduate students and medical students who didn’t and couldn’t go home had to remain on campus.
In the near 60,000-person town of Marietta, Georgia, Jeff Hopp, LAT, ATC, joined Marietta High School in 2002 as the only athletic trainer on the sports medicine team, which also included a physician and six athletic training student aides.
After years of discussion and brainstorming, the NATA Council on Practice Advancement will hold the first-ever NATA COPA Con 2021 Virtual Conference on Practice Advancement live from 2 to 6 p.m. CST March 26 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST March 27, and on-demand through April 27.
Hiring athletic trainers to care for local public safety departments is gaining momentum in cities across the U.S. Because of the support and funding necessary to incorporate athletic training services into government budgets, finding their place in smaller communities to provide care might be intimidating to ATs.
Over the past year, collegiate athletic trainers on campuses big and small have stepped up to slow the spread of and manage the COVID-19 pandemic. While many ATs have transitioned to testing and even vaccinating in the athletics department, some institutions have turned to their athletic trainers to take the lead for the entire campus as essential health care providers.
There is a lot happening at NATA! Stay up to date on what’s to come each month in advocacy, engagement and development in this NATA Now blog series. Check out what else is in store for March, and follow our communication channels throughout the month for more information!
The NATA Professional Education Committee is hosting a monthly Preceptor Chats Series to provide and promote a preceptor-led, preceptor-attended professional development opportunity. The next chat, which will cover the new CAATE Standards, is at noon CST Feb. 23 and will be moderated by Gary Hanna, LAT, and Paul Capp, MS, LAT, ATC.
The January NATA Timely Topics Series, moderator Donita Valentine, DAT, ATC, SFMA, will center on self-care and work-life balance strategies for the AT.
