I Wish I May, I Wish I Might

We’ve all heard and said this nursery rhyme throughout our lives–sometimes jokingly, sometimes not……

Here’s my Top Ten “I Wish” for ATs everywhere:

1. I wish for you as few injuries as possible, and more importantly, the desire and knowledge to handle them all with confidence and competence.

2. I wish for you respect from your patients, parents, coaches, supervisors, and your community, and more importantly, the drive to earn and keep that respect.

3. I wish for you a competitive salary and good job conditions, and more importantly, the confidence and assertiveness to ask for both to be better than they are.

4. I wish for you confidence in your professional organization and its leaders, and more importantly, objectivity and empathy as you evaluate their performance.

5. I wish for you the passion to serve your profession, and more importantly, to eliminate the apathy that surrounds professional service.

6. I wish for you the awareness of your impact as an AT on your community, and more importantly, the desire to improve our status in the healthcare community.

7. I wish for you that everyone around you refers to you as an Athletic Trainer, and more importantly, that you refer to yourself as an Athletic Trainer.

8. I wish for you great knowledge and expertise as an AT professional, and more importantly, the drive to continue to learn.

9. I wish for you quiet confidence when a horrible injury occurs, and more importantly, the peace in knowing that you did all you could.

10. I wish for you pride for the history of our profession, and more importantly, pride in knowing where our profession is headed.

I love our profession, and I love being an AT. From my days as a YP to now as a member of the “seasoned” group, I couldn’t have imagined all that we have accomplished–all that we’ve become. I look forward to what is ahead, as I know it will be great!

Wishing everyone healthiness and happiness.

 

Kathy I Dieringer ATC, LAT

District VI Director

What’s real?

kathysd6corner

Athletic Trainers in the fall are some of the busiest professionals anywhere. Our secondary schools and college/university colleagues are working long days during this face paced time of year, as are all ATs. This fall, however, I’ve been forced to stop and reflect.

Two weeks ago, we lost a great man and leader–our SWATA President and long time AT at Texas State University, David Gish. David ascended to the office of President just two short months ago at the SWATA Annual Meeting, and lost his life to cancer in late September after a hard fight.

His first Board of Directors meeting will be memorable for me. David loved this profession and served to make it better. There was no ego, no power trip, and no sense of what the position would do for him. He simply loved athletic training and SWATA, and wanted to leave it better than he had…

View original post 151 more words

What’s real?

Athletic Trainers in the fall are some of the busiest professionals anywhere. Our secondary schools and college/university colleagues are working long days during this face paced time of year, as are all ATs. This fall, however, I’ve been forced to stop and reflect.

Two weeks ago, we lost a great man and leader–our SWATA President and long time AT at Texas State University, David Gish. David ascended to the office of President just two short months ago at the SWATA Annual Meeting, and lost his life to cancer in late September after a hard fight.

His first Board of Directors meeting will be memorable for me. David loved this profession and served to make it better. There was no ego, no power trip, and no sense of what the position would do for him. He simply loved athletic training and SWATA, and wanted to leave it better than he had found it. He did.

As I’ve struggled through the frustrations and challenges of work day to day, the reality of David’s struggle and the pain his family and friends are now enduring has hit home. Our struggles, our frustrations, our challenges with coaches, parents, and patients are not important. As a friend of mine said to me the other day: are we living to work or working to live??

I love my job (most days), and my profession (every day), but while my work is important, my family, friends, and health are moreso. What really matters isn’t whether our team wins or loses, how many patients we see in a day, how many athletes showed up for morning treatments.

Tomorrow, hundreds of people will celebrate David’s life. I will also celebrate his passion–for his family, his profession, and his “two beer stories”. I miss you my friend.

What’s real to you?

Athletic Training on the Move

What an exciting time to be an Athletic Trainer!

Our members often ask: “What does the NATA do for me?” Well, the Healthy Kids and Concussion Summit that was held at the White House, the press conference and subsequent announcement about our partnership with the NFL to fund ATs in underserved secondary schools in NFL markets should help to answer that question.

It was only a few years ago that we struggled to obtain recognition from such organizations as the NCAA and NFL. Now, organizations and legislators call us for information and advise about such issues as youth safety and concussion management. What a difference! This didn’t happen overnight, but is rather the result of years of small victories, key contacts, and diligent behind-the-scenes efforts.

Our NATA staff and leadership, past and present, have worked extremely hard to make these things happen-working hard for you, our members. Some of you were also a part of those efforts, and I say THANK YOU to each of you!! This truly is the power of the combined work of many. There have been many times when I have felt overwhelming pride about our profession, but watching that press conference, hearing the POTUS mention us, was definitely in my top three. Look for more details as this project unfolds, but be proud of how far we’ve come, and where we’re going.

Could the timing have been any better? Next week, we travel to Indianapolis for our 65th Clinical Symposia and AT Expo. There’s still time if you haven’t made plans to attend! As usual, the NATA staff and committees have put together an outstanding convention experience. Indy will feature the typical exceptional educational sessions, Captain Mark Kelly as our Keynote Speaker, recognition of our profession’s finest in the Hall of Fame Induction, the Georgia Street Block Party Welcome Reception, the return of the NATA Foundation Fun Run, and so much more!!

Two “District competitions” will also launch at this year’s symposium:

The first contest will track the percentage of members who obtain their NPI number. If you’ve already obtained your NPI, you’ve taken a huge step for the benefit of the profession. If you haven’t, this is the opportunity to register. NPI has nothing to do with your setting or billing for services, but rather it establishes your voice as a healthcare professional. Once you have your NPI, it is yours for life, and you are registered along with all other healthcare providers.

The second contest is in regard to the percentage of schools in the District who become a new Safe Sports Schools Award Winner. The Safe Sports School Award recognizes secondary schools that take the crucial steps to keep athletes injury free. District 6 currently has 11 schools in Texas and 3 in Arkansas who have received this recognition. Congratulations and thank you to those schools who have taken these steps. If you are a secondary school AT, consider applying for the Safe Sports School Award. It’s not difficult, and the PR benefits to you, your school, and our profession are well worth it.

Both of these “contests” illustrate the need for you, our members, to advocate for the profession. Even if you are not attending the symposium, please take these steps during or after Indy starts. District VI can, and should lead the way on both of these events.

So much is happening in our profession, and I believe it will only get better and better. Yes, it’s a great time to be an AT and an AT advocate. Join us for the ride, and I hope to see you in Indy!

 

Kathy I Dieringer EdD, ATC, LAT

District VI Director

 

How do we “Have Your Back”?

If you are an Athletic Trainer, or know one, you are more than aware that March is National Athletic Training Month.

You probably also know what ATs are and what we do day to day, but as a reminder………

ATs are licensed healthcare providers in 48 of our 50 states (hoping to 50/50 very soon). We are employed in a variety of settings, but are best known for our roles in the secondary schools, college/universty, or professional sports. We also serve patients in the performing arts, military, public safety, clinics, hospitals, industry, physicians’ offices, and others. Wherever a patient might be injured due to activity, ATs are an option, and in most cases, the better option. Why? ATs have a distinct educational background that not only prepares us to treat and rehabilitate injuries, but we excel at the prevention of injury as well. This gives us an edge as a comprehensive package as it relates to minimizing lost time and returning the patient to full, safe activity in a shorter period of time.

We Have Your Back

For parents: we are looking out for your childrens’ safety above all else. Wins are great, but aren’t more important than athlete safety.
For coaches: we are the trained healthcare professional so you don’t have to try to be. We return athletes to play faster and with fewer secondary injuries.
For administrators: having an AT means better decisions about healthcare, better prevention of injury, and improved risk management.
For employers: ATs are experts in the prevention of injury, which transfers to less lost time, fewer medical bills, and higher production rates.
For patients: we are a healthcare provider with comprehensive knowledge about the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries as well as complete knowledge about fitness. We are the experts when it comes to athletes and activity related injuries.

ATs are experts in athlete safety. We excel at performance enhancement, and we prevent injury better than anyone else.

ATs save lives-we are educated to handle life threatening injuries that may occur during athletics or activity.

Do you know who is taking care of your kids? Many programs who don’t have ATs say they can’t afford to hire them. My question is how can athletic programs afford NOT to?

If your child’s school does not have an AT, demand one. Everyone will benefit.

Kathy Dieringer ATC, LAT
District Director

 

Opportunity is Knocking

Who will answer?

As athletic trainers, we have an opportunity like we’ve never had before. Issues in the media regarding concussions, youth safety, and athlete healthcare are prevalent. In my many years as an AT, I cannot remember being mentioned in the media, by other healthcare providers, and by parents as the experts in athlete healthcare as much as we have been lately.

With opportunity comes responsibility, and every AT must meet that challenge. Now, more than ever before, our status relies on our ability to promote our expertise, protect our license, and advocate for ourselves.

By nature, ATs typically are not comfortable with self-promotion. I submit to you that telling the truth about who we are, what we do, and explaining our expertise in athlete care and safety is something we must get comfortable doing. If we don’t, who will?

Too often, we become aware and perhaps look the other way when other non-licensed individuals are performing AT duties. This must stop. We cannot allow others to lessen our license and expertise by condoning such behavior.  Protect your livelihood, protect your license, protect our profession. If we don’t, who will?

Be an advocate! ATs are healthcare providers, not support staff. If we act like support staff, we will be treated like support staff. Being a healthcare provider means professional demeanor, behavior, and attire. Demand better salaries, demand better work conditions, more staff, and better hours!!!  It’s not always about work ethic– sometimes it’s about improving our quality of life.

It’s up to us–the opportunity is there if we choose to answer the door. We must be our own best advocates. If we don’t, who will?

Kathy Dieringer EdD, ATC, LAT
NATA District VI Director

Resolutions with a Twist

It’s that time of year again–time to make our resolutions. Many of us will resolve to do things like lose weight, get control of our finances, be a better person, be a better spouse/partner, and all of those are important. I would like to challenge all athletic trainers to add to those this year–add resolutions that will have a positive impact on our profession.

Resolve to:

1. Never say “trainer” and politely correct anyone who does.
2. Learn and apply what it means to show my value to my employer, my patients, and my community. Use that information to ask for improvements to my job conditions: better hours, additional staff, more salary, etc.
3. Pay attention to my professional organizations’ publications. Learn the issues and how they impact my profession.
4. Attend my professional organizations’ meetings whenever possible.
5. Consider all sides of the issues being discussed and how it applies to the entirety of the profession, and not just how it impacts me.
6. Contact the leadership of my organizations to discuss issues that concern or interest me, rather than complaining about what the leadership is doing.
7. Obtain my NPI number that designates me as a healthcare provider.
8. Protect my license by not allowing anyone to practice athletic training without one.
9. Get involved with my profession at some level–volunteer.
10. Be a better AT every day, from my clinical skills to my professional service.

I’m sure I missed some. What would you add??

Imagine if every AT committed to this………….Kathy I Dieringer
D6 Director

New NATA

Members of District Six:

We’ve just completed the NATA convention, and WOW what a week!! I am always so energized after this meeting, because I am witness to so many incredible things! We are such a great profession and being able to showcase that is an amazing experience.

As predicted, Las Vegas was the largest Annual Meeting ever, well surpassing the 15,000 attendee level. Our NATA staff did an amazing job putting this meeting together, and should be commended for their hard work.

In case you missed it, here is the new logo:

We’ve heard nothing but good things about it, and I’m sure you’ll agree that it is outstanding. Also this week, we honored those brave men and women who represented us so well at the Boston Marathon bombings, as well as all of our award winners, and a special tribute to now retired executive director Eve Becker Doyle.

But the convention is so much more….. It is a time when you see in action all of the dedicated members working for the betterment of the profession. It’s not about our rivalries, our political affiliations, our geographic location, our settings, or our districts. No, it’s about what is best for all of the profession. The mantra in the board room this week was “no one of us is smarter than all of us together”, and that rings true every day. There will always be those who criticize, and that’s all right-that’s how we get better, through introspection.

I hope every member understands how hard these volunteers work for you, and as long as we are working toward the collective good, we will continue to be the greatest profession!!

As always, I am honored to be your District Director.

Kathy I. Dieringer
District 6 Director

From the Tragedy

The events in Boston last week left many of us wondering about our society, how could this horrible thing happen?–how can someone(s) hate so much that they would kill and maim innocent spectators? Sadly, we will never understand. We grieve for the victims, and pray for their families and the recovery of the injured.

When the bombs exploded, amid chaos, there were those who ran toward the danger to care for those who were injured. Among those first responders were the athletic trainers who were in the finish line medical tent. As athletic trainers, we are indeed trained to handle severe injuries and chaos, but I don’t believe any of our colleagues were prepared for what they encountered. Yet, they performed brilliantly, applying tourniquets and caring for those horrible injuries with professionalism.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?storyld=9210964&src=desktop

I am proud to be an athletic trainer every day, but hearing about how these ATs performed is awe-inspiring. Most of them are very humble about what they did, but they are truly the heroes of the day. We have heard many times this year: “Athletic Trainers Save Lives”, which is of course true in our every day activities. On April 15th, it became a bit more poignant. You will hear more about these heroes over the next few months, and rightfully so. They will also need our support, as our AT brothers and sisters attempt to deal with the atrocities they saw.

These AT colleagues demonstrated the courage, competence, and character of athletic trainers, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Kathy I. Dieringer

Hit the Hill–Advocacy for Athletic Training

Capitol Hill Day for the NATA was a few weeks ago. It is one of many advocacy events for the NATA–one of the most important in my opinion. I can remember my first Hit the Hill Day. I was a member of COR, and the Hit the Hill Day was held in conjunction with a number of committee meetings, followed by the Hill Day. What I remember the most about those first few visits included a few things:

• I was so very intimidated by the thought of the visit
• I was astounded at how young the aides for the members really were
• Those aides, and the members themselves, knew very little about athletic trainers and athletic training in general

Since those first few visits, my feelings have changed–visiting with these members and their staff should, and is not intimidating. As their contituent, they work for us, not the other way around. Yes, the aides are young, but most of them are very, very bright and have the member’s ear. Finally, and most important, the members’ office staffs know us now. That is clearly evident in our visits-we have made a difference. Though there is a long way to go, we have clearly come a long way.

I think what I enjoy the most about these visits is that they are remarkable opportunities to talk about the profession I love, and brag on who we are and what we do.

Our focus in the past has been the CMS recognition, but this year’s focus changed dramatically. This year our legislation (House Resolution 72) is called the Secondary School Student Athletes’ Bill of Rights. This document outlines best practices in secondary schools, delineating what should be present in a school that “does it right”. You can read this resolution on the NATA website in the legislative section. We are clearly the experts on youth sports safety and are capitalizing on that expertise.

Capitol Hill Day has made a difference in the lives of athletic trainers and has had a definite impact on the safety of our patients and athletes. Thank you to the NATA staff who organize this every year and fight for our interests. I encourage all of you to contact your legislators and ask them to support HR 72.

Athletic Trainers Save Lives!

Kathy I Dieringer EdD, ATC, LAT
District VI Director