2006 VATA ANNUAL MEETING & SYMPOSIUM

On January 13-15, 2006, the Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (VATA) held its Annual Meeting and Symposium. Over 170 VATA members enjoyed presentations from diverse group of speakers, including:

• Dave Pawlowski, Renee Cork, Jon Almquist, Ola Powers, and Karen Perrine sharing important information regarding the licensure of athletic trainers in Virginia.
  
  
• Denise Fandel, Executive Director of the BOC, highlighting a number of new initiatives from the BOC.
  
  
• Bill Finerfrock, Washington Lobbyist for the NATA, discussing the athletic training profession from a national legislative perspective.

The Student Program included presentations by athletic training students from James Madison University, Longwood College, Lynchburg College, Radford University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

At the Membership Reception on Friday, the VATA honored Joe Gieck, ATC who is retiring after 43 years as head athletic trainer at the University of Virginia. In recognition of Joe’s years of service to the VATA and athletic trainers across Virginia, the VATA’s Executive Council is making a donation of $1000 to the Research and Education Foundation in his name.  The VATA issued a challenge to its members to donate $1 to the REF for each year that Joe has impacted their lives.

The VATA also welcomed several new members to the Executive Council.  John Reynolds (George C. Marshall High School) was introduced as President of the association, taking over for Tim Laurent (Lynchburg College).  Meg Fredrick (Longwood University) was elected President-Elect and Emily Evans (Lynchburg College) was elected Secretary of the Association.

The next VATA meeting will be May 19th in Virginia Beach, in conjunction with the MAATA Annual Meeting and Symposium. Members are encouraged to attend the informational meeting as the Executive Council will be sharing information on the important activities taking place in 2006.

Joe Gieck, ATC accepts a check in his name to the NATA Research and Education Foundation from VATA President John Reynolds, ATC and Region 3 Representative Ian Rogol, ATC.