A note from Mitzi Laughlin, Former President of SWATA

Mitzi Laughlin, former SWATA President, recognized for her service by incoming SWATA President, David Gish

SWATA members, in my last action as SWATA President, I would like to say a few words of reflection. First, I should express my gratitude to SWATA members for giving me the opportunity to be President and thank the current and past board members that I have worked with. I have been on the SWATA Executive Board for the past 11 years: 7 as District Secretary, 2 as Vice President and concluding with my 2 years as President. And before SWATA there was the GHATS Advisory Committee. Thank you to my mentors and friends. There are too many to mention here but you know who you are. 

Friends have asked me this week, do you feel you accomplished your goals as SWATA President. And the answer is an overwhelming yes. My goals going into the Presidency were to find out what the real issues in athletic training are. We accomplished this by going out to the regional meetings and talking with folks. Questions were answered, and some issues were solved. But many issues were work issues with local employers. SWATA and NATA have resources to help with these issues, but athletic trainers must stand up for themselves and do what is right. Do what is right for the athletes, the patients, and also do what’s right for your family and yourself. Sometimes the hardest thing for an athletic trainer to say is NO, but sometimes it’s the right thing to say. 

Another goal of my Presidency was to find folks eager to serve the association give them the tools and authority to succeed and then get out of the way and let them do it. We have a great group of committee chairs that we have heard from today and an even larger number of committee members. The greatest resource of SWATA is our people. We have many dedicated athletic trainers that want to make this profession better. Not just better for themselves, but better for the next generation of athletic trainers. 

Another goal of my Presidency was to keep our annual meeting strong. Keep the annual meeting strong by moving it around the district. 2015 Houston, 2016 Arlington and 2017 we will be headed to San Marcos. This week has been great here in Frisco. We have unveiled some new things this week. David Reed and Cody Jenschke put on an excellent awards ceremony this morning. Jamie Woodall and her committee had a first-rate party to celebrate the 60th anniversary of SWATA. Yes 60 years and SWATA is strong. 

SWATA, today, is in a good position. Financially we are sound. Our committees and especially our committee chairs work harder and have a passion for their jobs like no others. So in reflection, I am proud of where SWATA has been and where we are headed, and especially proud that I was able to be a part of it. 

THANK YOU.

Mitzi

SNEAK PEAK: SWATA marks its 60th Conference!

I can hardly believe it, but we are a week out from our 60th SWATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium. I do hope you are joining us in Frisco, TX for the celebration. We have so many things planned it is hard to pick out highlights. I think this symposium will be one of the best as we look back and celebrate our past, but also look forward to the future with new Executive Board members and an engaging program that includes presentations on a variety of topics that touch our patients and athletes including discussion about the appropriate professional degree for athletic training. It has been a pleasure to work with Convention co-chairs Roy Rudewick and Josh Woodall, our Executive Board, and the Program Committee (Tom Woods, Brian Farr, Rod Harter, Bucky Taylor, and Betsy Nadler) on ensuring our meeting is a success. 

I do hope you have had a chance to check out the schedule of events as it is posted on the Annual Meeting site on the SWATA webpage. Here are several highlights for each day...

Thursday July 17th

• We open our 60th Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium with a Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall.  Come meet and shop with our vendors  who support the mission of athletic training and are a vital part of our success.  
• Enjoy education sessions that include the latest information about:
• The appropriate professional degree in athletic training
• Coping with the death of an athlete
• Kinesiotaping
• Myofascial release techniques highlighting techniques to release frozen shoulders and capsular problems in the hip
• Development of an emergency response team
• Chronic ankle stability rehabilitation techniques

• Participate in clinical practice sessions that include the latest information about:
• Dental injuries
• Advanced Airways and Supplemental Oxygen
• Manual therapy for pelvic stabilization
• Trauma to the heart and lungs

• Get the latest updates from your state forum.
• Party like it is 1950 at our Carnival. Our welcome reception is bound to please the whole family with fun games, prizes, and socializing.  The Welcome Reception will feature modern day fun with a vintage theme!
• Then head on down the road to the River Club at FC Dallas’s Toyota Stadium to honor the athletic trainers from the old Southwest Conference. Come celebrate and hear some great stories while supporting the NATA Foundation. Each year District 6 members are awarded scholarships and compete for research grant funding supported by the Foundation.

Friday July 18th

• It’s Keynote speaker day – join us in welcoming David Saddler, NATA Executive Director. We were fortunate to keep David Saddler at the NATA and capitalize on his executive management skills as we forge ahead in our profession with increased national recognition and initiatives like the Youth Sports Safety Alliance. 
• It’s Awards Ceremony day – this year we will have a ceremony instead of a luncheon. Come hear from our Hall of Fame inductees and other award winners as we celebrate their accomplishments.
• Get some classroom-to-clinic information by attending 2 of these afternoon Clinical Practice Sessions
• Gait analysis and corrective orthotics
• Shoulder evaluation techniques for overhead athlete
• Integrated manual therapy for complex shoulder injuries

• Improve your understanding of:
• Dietary supplements in sport
• Skin cancer lesions and spotting the dangerous spots.
• The commission on accreditation of athletic training education (CAATE)
• Upper and lower crossed syndrome and treatment paradigms

• Attend NATA forum and the SWATA Business meeting as we turn the gavel over and welcome new members to the Executive Board.
• Enjoy alumni gatherings at a variety of locations including Dr. Pepper Pavilion and Park (Home to the Rough Riders).

Saturday July 19th

• Check out the latest information on concussion from the law, returning to concussion, and emerging findings in regards to cognitive testing. We all need concussion continuing education and Evidence Based Practice credits – you can do them both on Saturday morning. 
• Evidence Based Practice credits will require the completion of on-line assessments prior to and after the conference in order to secure your credit be sure to check out future e-blasts for information.
• Fine-tune your care for the shoulder with perspectives on evidence based shoulder rehabilitation programs for overhead athletes.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Frisco next week. Safe travels.

Cindy Trowbridge PhD, ATC, LAT

Program Committee Chair

The University of Texas at Arlington

SWATA 2014 is Right Around the Corner!!!

Wow, what a great week at NATA in Indianapolis! It was great to sit and visit with so many SWATA members in Indy. I was pleasantly surprised at the Welcome Reception - the first Hall of Famer in line to shake hands with members was our own Dennis Hart. Way to represent District 6!

We are about 2 weeks out from our 60th SWATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium.  Hopefully you have travel plans made and are ready to visit with fellow athletic trainers and friends. Here are a few updates for you to know before getting to Frisco:

60th Anniversary Party

To celebrate our 60th anniversary, we want to go back in time and enjoy a 1950's era carnival during the Welcome Reception at SWATA.  The carnival will have a vintage theme with modern day games, food, drinks, and prizes. The SWATA Student Senate is hosting a Taping Contest that the whole family will enjoy!  There will even be a category for non-AT family members!!!  Other games and entertainment include BINGO, hosted by the YPC, Strong Man Striker, Sumo Wresting, Bean Bag Games, Putt Putt, Zorb Ball Racing, Photo Booth, Mechanical Bull and carnival style food.  Join us on Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30pm for this family friendly event. 

Executive Board Changes

Scott Galloway was elected to the position of District Secretary and has resigned his Texas Representative position. TSATA and SWATA worked together to fill the vacancy. TSATA recommended Brian Farr for the position and I appointed Brian to fill the remainder of the term (to July 2015). Brian will join the Executive Board immediately. 

Also in our spring election, David Strickland was elected Arkansas Representative and Josh Woodall Vice President. Both David and Josh will join the Executive Board on Saturday as Ken Cole and I roll off the board.

NATA Presidential candidates

Russ Richardson and Scott Sailor are candidates for NATA President and will be attending SWATA as well as our current president Jim Thornton. If you want to discuss issues with them, this is your chance. 

White paper on the entry level degree

Are you confused about the recent White paper and entry-level master’s degree? Most athletic trainers are confused so don’t worry. Russ Richardson will be speaking on Thursday from 9-10am Professional Education in Athletic Training: An Examination of the Professional Degree Level”. This is your opportunity to learn about the key findings regarding AT education and learn what is fact and fiction.

Evidence-based practice CEU’s

Certified athletic trainers must complete a minimum number of BOC approved evidence-based practice CEU’s to renew certification each cycle. As EBP just started this year, the courses are just now being approved and scheduled. SWATA has 2 hours of EBP on the agenda “Emerging Findings in Sport Related Concussion: What Are We Learning”. This lecture is scheduled for Saturday morning from 10am to noon.

As we count-down the final 2 weeks to SWATA, keep an eye out for e-blasts with the latest updates. I hope to see everyone in Frisco.

Written by:

Mitzi Laughlin

SWATA President