2008 VATA ANNUAL MEETING & SYMPOSIUM

Reynolds steps down as VATA President Meg Frederick Thompson, incoming VATA president, presents John Reynolds, outgoing VATA president, with a plaque to honor his service and dedication to the association. Reynolds served as president-elect from 2004-2006, and president from 2006-2008.

On January 11-13, 2008, the Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (VATA) held its Annual Meeting and Symposium in Charlottesville.  Approximately 200 VATA members enjoyed presentations from diverse group of speakers, including:

• Craig Seto, MD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Katherine Dec, MD, of Chippenham Sports Medicine in Richmond, Tom Kuster, ATC, of James Madison University, and Sam Hamilton, ATC, of Bayside High School in Virginia Beach discussed a variety of factors that influence the team physician-athletic trainer relationship.
• Heather Murphy, ATC, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, presented a checklist of issues to consider in the prevention and treatment of MRSA.
• Steve Winter and Sam Perry, from the public relations firm Brotman Winter Fried, presented the 2008 VATA Public Relations Toolkit, a manual containing a variety of public relations tools for VATA members to use to increase public awareness of athletic training in Virginia.
• Kent Diduch, MD, of James Madison University, conducted a workshop on evaluation of the heart, eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

NATA Executive Director Eve Becker-Doyle accepted an invitation from the VATA to update members on national athletic training issues and initiatives. Becker-Doyle provided an up-to-the-minute report on the most recent changes being made by the NATA in order to better serve the membership and to be more responsive and attractive to young professionals. Ever the champion of athletic trainers and the NATA, Becker-Doyle delivered a humor-infused, comprehensive overview of issues the NATA is facing, and the changes being made and initiatives being launched to resolve those issues.

Student Leadership Forum

Student attendees had the chance to interact with VATA past presidents and discuss many aspects of being a leader in the athletic training profession. The past presidents who participated in the forum were Brent Arnold, Jim Buriak, Steve Cole, Joe Gieck, Tim Laurent, Dave Pawlowski, and Tom Jones. A special thank you to these folks for continuing to give back to the VATA and to the athletic training profession in Virginia.

Student Symposium

Sharon Menegoni, Longwood University, organized the 4th annual Athletic Training Student Symposium, which included presentations by students from James Madison University, Bridgewater College, Longwood University, Lynchburg College, and Radford University. The presentations consisted a variety of case studies as well as original research. The students did an outstanding job.

Honors

The VATA presented appreciation plaques in honor of several members who recently stepped down from leadership positions:

• John Reynolds (President-elect, 2004-2006, President, 2006-2008)
• Debbie Bradney (Membership Committee chair 2002-2008)
• Todd Korabek (Corporate/Industrial/Clinical Committee chair, 2006-2007)

Elections and Appointments

• Meg Frederick Thompson, Longwood University, assumes role of President, after serving as President-elect from 2006-2008.
• Tom Kuster, James Madison University, elected as President-elect
• Angela Mickle, Radford University, elected as Secretary
• Brent Arnold, Virginia Commonwealth University, accepted appointment as chair of Constitution & Bylaws Committee.
• Emily Evans, Lynchburg College, accepted appointment as chair of Membership Committee

First Annual Student Quiz Bowl

The inaugural VATA Student Quiz Bowl was contested by teams from four Virginia athletic training education programs: Bridgewater College, James Madison University, Longwood University, and Radford University. The contest was organized by Cailee Welch and emceed by Sarah Manspeaker, both doctoral graduate students at Old Dominion University. The winner was James Madison University. Members of the winning team were Justin Taggart, Katie Woods, and Stephen Blankenship. The event was a great success, and all participants are looking forward to next year’s competition.

The next VATA meeting will be May 16th 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 2008.

VATA recognizes past presidents Former presidents of the VATA enjoyed breakfast with the current VATA leadership and participated in a student leadership forum during the 2008 VATA Annual Meeting and Symposium, January 11-13 in Charlottesville. Pictured are: (back row, left to right) Dave Pawlowski, Jim Buriak, Brent Arnold, and Tom Jones. (front row, left to right) Tim Laurent, Steve Cole, Joe Gieck.