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.

As unpredictable as the last nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic have been for everyone, athletic trainers are uniquely trained to handle the unexpected. Some outreach athletic trainers deployed to the front lines in non-traditional roles, such as coronavirus screeners, became some of the first recommended groups to train and administer the COVID-19 vaccine, and to receive it.

In the December NATA News, our annual report, we look back at what has taken place at NATA and within the athletic training profession in 2020. While this has been an unprecedented year, NATA is thankful for the support we’ve received from our dedicated members, collaborators and contributors, including our sponsors.

Update: The Student Leadership Committee's live Kahoot! Trivia Takeover has been rescheduled to 7 p.m. CST Jan 20. and will only be for uncertified student members.

The December NATA News takes a look back at the year, and a big part of that was the yearlong Health Care in Action campaign.

Editor’s note: After careful consideration, the Master Preceptor Program was sunsetted by NATA in 2025. Learn more about NATA’s educational offerings.

This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced NATA as a National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion. NATA’s recognition was first highlighted in the December NATA News, which also serves as the association’s annual report.

The Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) Project, a research and advocacy effort led by NATA and the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI), has concluded its findings for the 2019-20 academic year.

In the December NATA News, we announced that 42 members are celebrating 50 years of NATA membership. Congratulations to them and all of our members celebrating milestones with the association this year! Our 50-year members of 2020 are:

Stephen Antonopulos, MA, ATC

Mayfield Armstrong, CPed, ATC

Lowell Bailey, AT Ret.

As discussions progress surrounding the release of a COVID-19 vaccine, NATA is advocating for athletic trainers to be included on the list of health care providers considered for early vaccination.