NATA Now

March is an exciting month for athletic trainers. In addition to being National Athletic Training Month, March is also Women’s History Month. This Women’s History Month, we’d like to celebrate all #ATwomen making a difference in the profession and their patients’ lives, and highlight four women in particular who have owned their impact – the four women currently serving on the NATA Board of Directors.

By Kim Diggs

Every day presents an opportunity for NATA to highlight the impact athletic trainers have on work, life and sport. From meeting with legislators about the critical role you play in health care to educating the media and public about #ATimpact, athletic training, and the dedicated health care professionals we serve, are always on our minds.

In January 2019, the NATA Board of Directors approved the addition of an at-large member to the Professional Education Committee. The new member should be a recognized leader as a practicing clinician and preceptor; and will have the primary objective of overseeing past, current, and future efforts to offer resources to the membership aimed at optimizing the clinical education process.

By Kim Diggs

Every year, the NFL hosts the National Invitational Combine in Indianapolis. This gathering is comprised of more than 300 NFL hopefuls preparing for the NFL Draft in April and a medical staff of athletic trainers assessing the physical condition of each athlete. Alongside the ATs administering exams are orthopedists, radiologists, cardiologists and internal medicine physicians.

By Kimberly Hansen ATC, LAT, CES

San Antonio firefighter Tim Worley knew something was wrong as soon as he heard the pop.

The 16-year San Antonio Fire Department veteran was playing with his dog when he stumbled backwards, twisting his leg and causing a loud pop from his knee.

In the cover story of the March NATA News, “Caring for Those Who Care for Others,” athletic trainer and Metis Tactical founder Hunt Whitten, ATC, LAT, EMT, discusses his work in the public safety setting, specifically with firefighters in the Houston area.

Adjusting your skills from the field or court to the warehouse isn’t always one-size-fits-all. To make an industrial injury prevention plan more attainable, NATA has created an infographic that appears in the March NATA News.

For this entry in the ongoing SLC Blog Series, the NATA Student Leadership Committee talked with athletic trainer Shelly Mullenix, MS, ATC, about the opioid crisis facing America and athletics.