In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, NATA Now is highlighting some of our leaders at the state, district and national levels as they shed light on their volunteer journeys.
What started as an extracurricular activity for Christina Scherr, MEd, ATC, became a vocation through which she serves patients and gives back to the profession.
Scherr said back in her high school days, there were no athletic training student aide programs. Yet, under her sport coaches’ informal training, she found her way to sports medicine.
“I did it as a hobby and to earn good favor with coaches who were also my teachers,” Scherr said.
“I went to [college] as a pre-law major, but took a sports medicine class just for fun. [I] changed my major my sophomore year.”
Since then, she has held several leadership positions in the profession.
As Scherr tells of her volunteer journey, she shares the importance of acknowledging the profession’s diversity. She also said its important to see representation as a way to push personal boundaries to serve patients and advance the profession.
What was your first volunteer position within the athletic training profession and why did you get involved?
My first volunteer position was with the San Diego High School Athletic Trainers' Association. We started it in 2008, and the association named me vice president. Giving back to the profession through service and attending district events was ingrained in me from the time of my undergraduate program (before state events were a thing). I remember a colleague I looked up to and respected asking me, "So what are you doing to give back? Are you on any committees?" I had to answer “No,” and when she asked why not, I really didn't have a good response. Thank you, Stana L., for your leadership, friendship and push from the heavens for me to get involved – message received!
Tell us about your current position as California Athletic Trainers' Association secretary and what you hope to accomplish in this role.
I am just finishing my second three-year term as secretary. My goals were to help continue and develop CATA's membership outreach and support. I did my best to keep the CATA managing board accountable for action items, ensuring we moved forward with our goals for the benefit of the membership.
Why is representation in leadership important and how does it impact the profession?
Representation shows the diversity of our profession. There is more diversity than what is perceived. It's just a matter of individuals stepping up. I didn’t step up because of my race, ethnicity, gender, etc., but I also didn’t feel marginalized that the opportunity wasn't there. The only barriers were those of my own comfort levels. However, if we want change or to make a difference in our representation, there has to be those willing to put themselves out there. It’s up to us. Representation impacts not only the AT profession, but also the patients we work with and our future athletic trainers.
How has volunteering helped you grow personally and professionally?
It has definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone! It has also taught me to take a step back, look at what I am doing, and hold myself accountable. I try to challenge my own thoughts and perceptions and consider other perspectives. Leadership is never something I thought of or specifically sought out. Now I'm buying books – and reading a few of them – and really looking at my leadership "style" and how I can always work to improve myself in and out of the profession
What's your fondest memory of serving so far?
Not so much a memory, but all the connections I have made, and am still making with other ATs and associates of the profession. I have also come to appreciate the diversity in settings and backgrounds of the ATs I meet. Everyone has a story about their path, firsthand experiences and learned knowledge that are far more than a textbook could even provide. I have developed close friendships with colleagues whom I have served and worked with who I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to meet. I feel very fortunate to have been able to serve and gain so much.
What advice do you have for other athletic trainers who want to give back to the profession?
You really just have to get over the idea that you don't know what you are doing, or think you don't know enough to serve. You do! And what you don't know, you will learn! Get out of your comfort zone and take a chance. It's not a forever commitment, and you never know what opportunities will come from it. With that, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and can commit to the membership and profession that deserve that.
