What To Look Forward To in October

There is a lot happening at NATA! Stay up to date on what’s to come each month in advocacy, engagement and development in this NATA Now blog series. Check out what is in store for October, and follow our communication channels throughout the month for more information.

Advocacy

• A tip from the NATA Government Affairs Department for October: Deliver prepackaged Halloween goodies and “thank you for your service” cards to your legislators’ district offices. For more advocacy tips and information, visit the NATA advocacy webpage.
• In the October NATA News, the At Your Own Risk Value of the Athletic Trainer Series focuses the public safety setting. This handout series, created by At Your Own Risk, NATA’s public facing initiative, highlights the important work ATs do in their respective setting and can be used to educate members of the public.

Engagement

• NATA has dedicated the third full week of October, Oct. 18-22, as Youth Sport Specialization Awareness Week to help reduce the risk of injury related to sport specialization and keep athletes safe and healthy. Throughout the week, At Your Own Risk’s social media channels will unpack what youth sport specialization is, what the risks are, best practices for youth sport participation as well as the importance of incorporating cross training into an athlete’s routine. Stay up to date through the week by following At Your Own Risk on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• The October NATA News is all about research and technology! The feature article, “Turning Data Overload Into Improved Patient Care,” dives into how athletic trainers can use wearable and location-based technology as part of their injury prevention and rehab care for athletes.  The magazine also highlights how the NATA Research & Education Foundation is supporting the advancement of the profession through its grants in “New Research Continues Quest To Improve Documentation,” which describes how the NATA Research & Education Foundation 2021 grant recipient will study the effectiveness of a virtual education module on AT documentation strategies, and “A Small Grant for a Big Difference,” which  highlights past student grant recipients.
• The monthly Built for This article series in the October NATA News features David Howell, PhD, ATC, a researcher at Children’s Hospital Colorado and assistant professor and assistant director of clinical research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, who conducts research to improve the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of youth sport-related concussions. Howell uses his Domain Two skills, examination, assessment and diagnosis, to help clinicians enhance an athlete’s ability to play through proper diagnosis of concussions. Read more about his research in the magazine.
• The Journal of Athletic Training hosts multiple podcasts that highlight articles within each issue. In October, the JATCast will feature Kara Radzak, PhD, LAT, ATC, interviewing Daniel Lorenz, DPT, PT, ATC, CSCS, and colleagues about their upcoming current clinical concepts article on blood flow restriction training. You can find the podcasts on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean and Stitcher.
• Students: Do you want to get involved with NATA and represent your fellow athletic training students at the national level? The NATA Student Leadership Committee is seeking applicants for multiple positions on the 2022-23 committee (all districts except District Four). If you are interested in representing your district, you’re strongly encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted Sept. 27-Nov. 20 on Gather. For more information, contact your current SLC district representative at slcoutreachcom@gmail.com or reach out to the committee on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Development

• Through NATA Education Encore: Top Sessions from NATA’s Virtual Events!, athletic trainers can earn CEUs from some of the most popular sessions held during the 2020 and 2021 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, 2021 Virtual Athletic Training Educators’ Conference and NATA COPA Con 2021. Learn the latest in sports medicine and athletic training from high-quality speakers and earn up to 16.5 CEUs. Registration will be open Oct. 1-Nov. 30, and the event ends Dec. 31. For more information, check the NATA events webpage in the coming days.

• The NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee offers Diversity Enhancement Grants of up to $5,000 to educational institutions to support the advancement of diversity within the athletic training profession. Grant applications are currently being accepted for the 2021 grant cycle and are due Oct. 1. For more information, including requirements and the grant application, visit the Diversity Enhancement Grant webpage.
• Each year, the NATA Research & Education Foundation recognizes those who excel in areas of research. Nominations are due Oct. 1 for the following2022 research awards: Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, New Investigator Award and the David H. Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Award. Nominations should be emailed to the NATA Foundation.
• The NATA Foundation Free Communications Committee will pilot test reviewing and accepting a limited number of critically appraised topic abstracts. The deadline call for abstracts for the 2022 NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo is Nov. 1. The mission of the NATA Foundation Free Communications Program is to advance the discovery, dissemination and application of scientific knowledge in athletic training domains through written and oral forums.
• The NATA Foundation is seeking to fill open positions on its board of directors with terms beginning June 2022. The application packet and details are on the NATA Foundation’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and posted on the NATA Foundation website, and will close Oct. 5. The current openings are:
  • District Two chair
  • District Four chair
  • District Six chair
• The NATA Foundation depends on various committees to ensure that the mission of the organization is carried out. There are multiple committees seeking members, and the information is posted. Find the information, and the list of openings, on the NATA Foundation’s website.
  • Educational Resources Committee member (term beginning fall 2021)
  • Free Communications Committee member (term beginning June 2022)
  • Pronouncements Committee member (term beginning June 2022)
  • Student Writing Committee chair (term start June 2022)
  • Student Writing Committee members (multiple vacancies, term start June 2022)
• The NATA Council on Practice Advancement has multiple committees with open representative positions that members can apply for on Gather. For more information about requirements for these openings, visit Gather and click on the Participate tab. The following committees have openings:
  • Community Outreach Committee
  • Occupational Needs Committee
  • Physician Practice Committee
  • Public Safety Committee
  • Analytics and Outcomes Committee
  • Rehabilitation Committee