NATA Now

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. The goal of the Health Care in Action campaign was to not only celebrate everything athletic trainers do for the betterment of their patients and, overall, the communities in which they serve, but to help athletic trainers communicate these endeavors to others.

By Ellie Daniels, MSAT, LAT, ATC

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 NATA Political Action Committee (NATAPAC) is the sole federal PAC founded for and dedicated to being the voice and advocate of the athletic training profession.

NATAPAC empowers members to support elected officials or candidates who champion policy advancing the athletic training profession. Through NATAPAC, members are able to help shape the political environment and educate federal legislators on the significant contributions athletic trainers make as health care providers across our nation.

The Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR), of which NATA is a member, is seeking feedback from patients, providers, caregivers and advocates regarding the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the need for COVID-19 rehabilitation. Specifically, CPR is seeking:

1. Access to Rehabilitation: Specific recommendations to increase access to COVID-19 rehabilitation – think of barriers that you or your patients have encountered in accessing care for the long-term effects of COVID-19 or policies you think should be in place to increase access.

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. Thanks to the athletic trainers who filled out the survey and the NATA and KSI team behind ATLAS, there are statistics to help advocate for the profession by seeking more ATs in secondary schools, stopping legislation against AT services and enhancing sports safety.

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.

Stephen Bair, AT Ret.

Harold Bennett, MEd, LAT, ATC

Donald Cochren, AT Ret.

Steven Ciszczon, MS, AT Ret.

Bill Edwards, 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.

No one should be subject to sexual discrimination, harassment or abuse. As part of NATA’s continued commitment to foster and champion a safe and inclusive profession and association, the NATA Board of Directors established a workgroup of board members, in partnership with committee members and subject matter experts, to evaluate the NATA Code of Ethics and related areas within NATA during its board meeting on Monday, Nov. 23.