The NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council is made up of individuals with one goal – to develop and recommend efforts ensuring the implementation and integration of NATA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) commitments.
Since it was established in 2023, the DEIA Council has pursued this goal by supporting the strategic alignment of all of NATA’s DEIA-related committees and panels. This includes the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee, NATA LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee and NATA Accessibility Panel, the council’s newest addition.
Learn more about the council and read about its inception and efforts in the articles, “DEIA Task Force Transitions Into a Council,” on p. 28 of the December 2023 NATA News and “Setting a Successful Foundation,” on p. 38 of the December NATA News.
Here’s more insight into the members of the DEIA Council.
Chair
Trevor Bates, DHSc, AT, ATC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
It was an honor to be asked by NATA Past President Tory Lindley, ATC, and NATA Past President Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC, to serve as chair alongside Vice Chair Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, FNATA, of the DEIA Task Force [at that time] and it seemed natural to continue our service together by proposing and leading the new DEIA Council. My career and life experiences have given me the knowledge and tools to serve our profession in helping to address some of the challenging issues ATs face in their roles as clinicians, educators and administrators.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
Together, we’ve been able to bring all the DEIA-related committees under one umbrella and created a new NATA Accessibility Panel. We’ve worked together to address issues and develop resources such as the Ableism Audit, make changes in the financial request process and conference proposal process and serve as a resource to individuals, states and districts. It’s been an honor and a blessing to have provided informational presentations at each district, contributed to a special edition of the Journal of Athletic Training, work with committees across NATA and continuously find ways to bring NATA’s DEIA commitments to life!
Vice-Chair
Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, FNATA
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
The goal of the council is to develop initiatives that will assist in ensuring we are creating an inclusive environment in athletic training and aligned with NATA's six commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion and access. I wanted to become a member of the council to be able to examine and revise policies and procedures within our profession, thereby making athletic training and NATA more inclusive to all athletic trainers.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
I believe my role on the council has allowed me to impact the profession by making important changes to how vacancies in volunteer positions are posted, creating educational resources and examining current policies and procedures. These policies and procedures can be revised to include more members and create a feeling of belonging to athletic trainers in the profession.
Ethnic Diversity Advisory Chair
Darryl Conway, MA, AT, ATC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
I wanted to join NATA's DEIA Council to be able to continue to make a positive impact on the profession for the future of athletic training, and to continue to positively impact the outcomes of our patients. I have always been extremely proud to be an athletic trainer and of the profession. So, this opportunity was one more way to give back to those who gave so much to me and to help positively influence future generations of athletic trainers and patient care.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
I would say that my impact has been to continue to push the narrative that all types of diversity (cognitive i.e., diversity of thought, gender, ethnic, sexual orientation, etc.) matter. So do all forms of equity, inclusion and advocacy. I feel as though I have been a strong advocate for the AT profession and all aspects of the profession and the patients we treat.
Ethnic Diversity Advisory Chair
Incoming
Shaketha Pierce, MEd, LAT, ATC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
I wanted to join the DEIA Council to gain a better understanding of the council's role within NATA.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role as Ethnic Diversity Advisory Chair?
I hope to continue EDAC’s mission of promoting diversity and cultural competence in the athletic training profession.
LGBTQ+ Advisory Chair
Jennifer Sturtevant, MBA, LAT, ATC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
As chair of the NATA LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, I am dedicated to advocating for an environment that ensures all individuals have equal opportunities to succeed in the profession, both for themselves and the patient populations we serve. The DEIA Council provides an opportunity to work alongside like-minded and motivated professionals who are committed to addressing disparities and fostering an inclusive culture within the athletic training profession. In this role, I hope to deepen my understanding of the intersectionality within DEIA and contribute to meaningful change that ensures equity and accessibility for all individuals in the field.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
Being on the council has broadened my understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and underscored the importance of fostering an inclusive environment for all. Through collaboration with fellow council members, valuable insights have been gained into how to address systemic barriers and promote greater equity and accessibility within the profession. This experience has strengthened my commitment to these efforts and motivated me to become a more informed and active ally.
At-Large Member
Destinee Grove, MS, LAT, ATC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
I wanted to join the DEIA Council because I felt its work would be integral to creating an NATA where people from all walks of life could see themselves and feel empowered, supported and able to thrive. NATA is a major driving force in determining the culture of the greater AT profession; meaning, a lot of the work shaping the profession starts here. I knew I wanted to be a part of that work and contribute to finding solutions that help make NATA and the AT profession better.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
The greatest impact the council has had on me thus far is being able to collaborate with other volunteer groups. Working with EDAC, the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council and the NATA Accessibility Panel has been so rewarding. Everyone is doing important, inspiring work and offering tangible ways to connect ATs with each other and with NATA. I think one of the things that draws anyone to athletic training is being a part of a team, and I’ve enjoyed every second of being a part of this one.
At-Large Member
Tom Abdenour, DHSc, ATC, CEC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
Serving on the DEIA Council is a privilege. I appreciate the fact that recruiting and retaining members of diverse backgrounds is vital to our profession. As a member of the council, I have a true appreciation for exchanging ideas with council members who advocate for the concerns of all members.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
I have learned more about the professional experiences of our colleagues through my time on the council. My goal is to develop philanthropy or public relations ideas to enhance these experiences.
Accessibility Panel Chair
Jim Murdock, MEd, ATC
Why did you want to join the NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Council?
For the past 20 years I have had the privilege to work with the USA Wheelchair Rugby team as its athletic trainer/medical coordinator. In this capacity, I have seen firsthand what this Paralympic population has had to deal with and overcome with many aspects of accessibility, access, accommodations, availability, affordability and acceptability. In dealing with these issues, I became aware of how so many other people in our profession (ATs, students, patients) are faced with some of these issues and wanted to help educate and find available resources.
What impact has your role on the council had on you and the profession so far?
I started as a part of the DEIA Council in June and the NATA Accessibility Panel is a new component of the DEIA Council. We are in the process of putting our panel together and planning our strategies and goals. So far, I have been encouraged by the number of people who are supportive of our panel and by seeing how much there is to do. I am very hopeful we will have a positive impact on our profession and those we serve.
