NATA Now

Feb. 1, 2003, marked a day in history that will not be forgotten. Seven astronauts aboard the space shuttle Columbia, crew STS-107, experienced difficulties just 16 minutes before the schedule touchdown at the end of their mission. All seven crew members died.

The 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo was carefully planned to ensure attendees have every opportunity to learn, connect with their peers and have a little fun – all from the comfort of home. In addition to the live educational sessions July 13-16, VNATA 2020 offers exclusive daily features to check out, from chat rooms to virtual lounges to happy hours and 15-minute breaks for yoga. 

By Doug Padron, ATC, Senior Sports Strategist, Sparta Science 

The Executive Council for Education (ECE) Chair position becomes available in June 2021. Electronic applications are being accepted.

ECE Mission Statement

The Executive Council for Education informs and assists the profession in setting the direction for athletic training education.  Emphasizing a commitment to improving patient care through an evidence-based approach, the ECE proactively influences best educational practices that reflect athletic training’s interprofessional nature and commitment to learning.

Today marks the official start of the 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo. Since deciding in April to transition the in-person convention to a virtual event, NATA has worked diligently to provide the same innovative and captivating experience convention-goers have come to expect over the years.

The NATA Research & Education Foundation Free Communications Program provides a forum for researchers and clinicians to disseminate research and clinical case studies. The program is a subcommittee of the NATA Foundation Research Committee. The Free Communications Program is often the first time researchers and clinicians are able to present their findings and is a great way to get research out to ATs before their study is published. The program has provided more than 5,500 poster and oral presentations since its inception.

Certified athletic trainers attending the 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposium & AT Expo, live and on-demand, have the opportunity to earn up to 25 CEUs, including 5 EBP CEUs. Attendees can participate in any combination of live and on-demand sessions to reach the maximum number of CEUs allowed.

The 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo has no shortage of educational programming for attendees, and the opportunities to connect with other athletic trainers and health care providers are also abundant. In the afternoons July 13-15, attendees can join a VNATA Chats event to talk more in-depth about topics and issues important to the athletic training profession.

AOSSM invites all NATA members to join a special night of elite speakers and presentations from 7 to 9 p.m. EDT July 9 to discuss COVID-19 and return to play. Access to this online event is complimentary for NATA members. 

The July NATA News introduced the two new board members representing Districts Two and Five. NATA officially welcomed Tanya Dargusch, LAT, ATC, representing District Two; and Rob Marshall, ATC, representing District Five in June. Read on to learn more about Dargusch and Marshall, the newest NATA board representatives, who sat down to answer some questions about their passion for athletic training.