Young Professionals: "Gearing Up"

“Gearing Up”

As we enter into our fall seasons and begin preparations for our student athlete’s to return to school, or cease pre-season practices, I wanted to send out a friendly blog of encouragement.

We all started in our field for various reasons, (most importantly fame, fortune, and a lot of free gear) but the reasons that keep us here are vast.  Everyone has that one athlete whom they’ve grown especially close to over the years.  Maybe you watched them grow up.  Or you helped them through a season-ending injury.  Or you guided them along the path to adulthood.  Whatever your reasons may be, you know there is at least one kid out there who has touched your life.  Be thankful that you had the opportunity to be there for them.

As athletic trainers, we provide a service.  Our services are completely different in each setting, but we all have one goal: to help our patients return to play as quickly and pain-free as possible.  While writing this, I am reminded of one of the many sayings from our athletic director, “Above all else, we prepare Students for Life.”  This is so true on so many levels.  Life is difficult and bumpy, and we provide the bandage when it gets too rough.  Being an athlete forces them to learn so many life lessons that come in handy later on in life, like communication, leadership, and working together as a cohesive unit.  We are part of those lessons learned, and our jobs do just as much teaching them those lessons as the drills they run day in and day out.

Think about the preparation you want to instill in your athletes the next time you tape an ankle, make an ice bag, or perform a shoulder evaluation.  Our time is precious, but it can make a big difference.  Remember, we are preparing students for life!

                                                                                                                     Written by: Courtney Washington
                                                                                                                     District 6 YP Chair

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

What an exciting time to be an Athletic Trainer!

Our members often ask: "What does the NATA do for me?" Well, the Healthy Kids and Concussion Summit that was held at the White House, the press conference and subsequent announcement about our partnership with the NFL to fund ATs in underserved secondary schools in NFL markets should help to answer that question.

It was only a few years ago that we struggled to obtain recognition from such organizations as the NCAA and NFL. Now, organizations and legislators call us for information and advise about such issues as youth safety and concussion management. What a difference! This didn't happen overnight, but is rather the result of years of small victories, key contacts, and diligent behind-the-scenes efforts.

Our NATA staff and leadership, past and present, have worked extremely hard to make these things happen-working hard for you, our members. Some of you were also a part of those efforts, and I say THANK YOU to each of you!! This truly is the power of the combined work of many. There have been many times when I have felt overwhelming pride about our profession, but watching that press conference, hearing the POTUS mention us, was definitely in my top three. Look for more details as this project unfolds, but be proud of how far we've come, and where we're going.

Could the timing have been any better? Next week, we travel to Indianapolis for our 65th Clinical Symposia and AT Expo. There's still time if you haven't made plans to attend! As usual, the NATA staff and committees have put together an outstanding convention experience. Indy will feature the typical exceptional educational sessions, Captain Mark Kelly as our Keynote Speaker, recognition of our profession's finest in the Hall of Fame Induction, the Georgia Street Block Party Welcome Reception, the return of the NATA Foundation Fun Run, and so much more!!

Two "District competitions" will also launch at this year's symposium:

1. The first contest will track the percentage of members who obtain their NPI number. If you've already obtained your NPI, you've taken a huge step for the benefit of the profession. If you haven't, this is the opportunity to register. NPI has nothing to do with your setting or billing for services, but rather it establishes your voice as a healthcare professional. Once you have your NPI, it is yours for life, and you are registered along with all other healthcare providers.  For more information from the NATA about obtaining an NPI number, click here.
2. The second contest is in regard to the percentage of schools in the District who become a new Safe Sports Schools Award Winner. The Safe Sports School Award recognizes secondary schools that take the crucial steps to keep athletes injury free. District 6 currently has 11 schools in Texas and 3 in Arkansas who have received this recognition. Congratulations and thank you to those schools who have taken these steps. If you are a secondary school AT, consider applying for the Safe Sports School Award. It's not difficult, and the PR benefits to you, your school, and our profession are well worth it.

Both of these "contests" illustrate the need for you, our members, to advocate for the profession. Even if you are not attending the symposium, please take these steps during or after Indy starts. District VI can, and should lead the way on both of these events.

So much is happening in our profession, and I believe it will only get better and better. Yes, it's a great time to be an AT and an AT advocate. Join us for the ride and I hope to see you in Indy!

Blog written by:

Kathy I Dieringer EdD, ATC, LAT

NATA District VI Director

What's going on in Texas?

This Spring has been an active one for the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association. Dennis Hart, 

Spanky Stephens, and David Anderson (TSATA lobbyist) traveled to Austin to discuss the future of the Sports Medicine Course with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Two major options for teaching any of the three Sports Medicine courses were clarified in their meeting: 1) The Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT) must hold a valid teaching certificate OR 2) The LAT must hold a School District Teacher Permit issued by the school district. The TSATA recommends all certified instructors of the TSATA Sports Medicine I, II, and III courses who DO NOT CURRENTLY HOLD a valid teaching certificate initiate the process to obtain the District Teaching Permit. The application is available on the TEA Website. For any other information or questions, please contact either Dennis Hart or Spanky Stephens.

The TSATA is also continuing work on their relationships with the Office of Acquired Brain Injuries and UT Southwestern Medical School’s New Traumatic Brain Institute and Healing Center. A major goal of this relationship is the development of a concussion website that will serve as the major source of concussion information for parents, athletes, and health care providers in Texas and across the country. Bucky Taylor is heading up this project and is working hard to put together a quality website.

As the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers prepares to go under Sunset Review in the next legislative session, David Anderson and TSATA President Scott Galloway have been in contact with David Weir and Becky Spurlock from the Advisory Board. They are working together to protect our license and our interests with the Department of Health and Human Services and the state of Texas. The legislature continues to be reminded of who athletic trainers are in Texas, whom we serve, and our presence through the TSATA.

This year, the TSATA and the Secondary Schools Committee honored 156 All-State Student Athletic Trainers for 2013-2014. Congratulations to them and to the athletic trainers who work to mentor and teach them on a daily basis. 

This summer holds the opportunity for many of you to seek CEUs and professional development at national, district, or local meetings. A TSATA board representative should be available at each meeting to answer questions, discuss membership, and address concerns. Please stop by our booth at SPATS, Prude Ranch, or SWATA and let us know how we are doing to represent the greatest athletic trainers in the nation!

Written by:

Darrell 'Red' Ganus

TSATA Region 5 Director and Vice Chair

NATA Research & Education Foundation - Supporting and Advancing the Athletic Training Profession through Research and Education

The NATA Research & Education Foundation announces Volunteer Award Winners

The NATA Foundation recently announced its 2014 award recipients. These awards will be presented during the NATA Convention in Indianapolis. We congratulate our winners and thank them for their service and dedication to the NATA Foundation.

Lifetime Achievement Award — Chris Ingersoll, PhD, ATC, FNATA 

Volunteer Service Award — Mary Beth Horodyski, EdD, ATC, FNATA

NATA Research & Education Foundation Upcoming Events at the NATA 65th

Symposia and AT Expo NATA Foundation Night

Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury

Friday, June 27, 2014 | Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. | Networking: 6:00 p.m.

Join your fellow 2014 convention attendees as the WNBA's Indiana Fever and their All-

Star, Tamika Catchings, take on basketball phenom Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets are being offered to convention attendees at a discount, with $3 from each being given back to the NATA Foundation during a check presentation at halftime. Available ticket options can be found on the WNBA website. 

NATA Research & Education Foundation 5K and Fun Run Sponsored by Gatorade

Thursday June 26, 2014. Race Time: 6:30 a.m.

Cost is $20 in advance and $25 after June 4, 2014.  More details are coming. A reminder about the Fun Run will be included in one of the "Your Convention Experience" emails that you'll receive in the weeks leading up to convention.

Blog provided by Craig Garrison, PhD, PT, ATC, SCS 

Director of  Research and Post Professional Residencies ∙ Sports Physical Therapist

NATA Foundation BOD, District 6