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Dear ALATA Membership,

Greetings and salutations!  I hope that this finds everyone doing well.  It is hard to believe that we are well into March and I would like to remind everyone that March is National Athletic Training Month.  If you are planning or have held an event in your area; I encourage you to notify us so that we can post it on the Association website.  I would like to take this time and update the membership on some key events occurring in our state and at the national level.

Let me first address events occurring at the national level and the current legislative agenda of the NATA.  I recently returned from my third “Hit the Hill” campaign at our nation’s capitol.  It was amazing to be a part of one of the largest groups to participate since its inception several years ago.  The NATA in collaboration with our new lobbying firm; Drinker, Biddle, & Reath drafted legislation which was introduced on the floor on February 23, 2009 by Senator Townsend (D-NY); it was introduced as H.R. 1137.  We are still in the process of getting the 2005 CMS decision overturned.  The NATA seems very excited about our new firm and are confident that we will be moving in a positive direction.  I would like to report that your delegates from the state (Dr. R.T. Floyd, Dr. Amanda Andrews, Jessica Barton, Rachel Bryan, Lauren Self; all athletic training students attending I-Lead, and myself) had very positive meetings with both Congressmen and Senator Appointments.  Please continue to check the NATA website as well as the ALATA website for future updates.

In addition to the “Hit the Hill” campaign, the NATA hosted the inaugural student I-Lead program at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Hotel.  ALATA was able to fund three students from the state, which included Jessica Barton (Troy University); Rachel Bryan (Samford University); Lauren Self (University of West Alabama).  It was both a pleasure and an honor for me personally to be there with these students as the inaugural class.  I had the chance to visit with each student during the weekend and enjoyed learning about them and hearing of their experiences regarding the program.  They represented our state well and from what they have told me they found the program to be very beneficial and were grateful for the opportunity that they were given. 

These past several weeks of preparation for this year’s legislative session culminating to the weekends’ events of the annual “Hit the Hill” campaign has provided me the opportunity to gain insight on the bureaucracy of our government both at the state and national level.  It has brought me to the stark realization that as a profession we are just a blip on the radar as far as healthcare is concerned.  In the grand scheme of things our profession falls well below the radar of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.  What our legislators need to realize is that our profession of athletic training greatly impacts the healthcare system.  We are qualified healthcare professionals who are educated and proficient in providing injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to communities statewide that otherwise may not benefit from adequate medical care.

Along these lines, I would like to update the membership in regards to the state’s legislative activities.  Our bill was introduced this past week in both Houses.  I anticipate that there will be no information until after spring break as the Legislators will break next week.  The Executive Council will certainly keep you all posted as it progresses through both Houses.

Last but not least in this issue, you will see an address from James L. Jones, ATC, LAT, Chairman of the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers.  In his address you will see mention of the new renewal process which will be implemented for the 2009 reporting year.  You will receive official notification by U.S. mail from the Board later this month. 

Thank you for all that you do for our profession and for our state.  I shall keep everyone updated regarding all the events occurring at this time.  Should you have any questions, suggestions, regarding any of the above please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Heloise Belarmino, MAE, ATC, LAT
President
 

Please note the call for nominations for the following ALATA positions:  Vice-President and Secretary.  Any licensed ALATA member in good standing may nominate an eligible Member for these Executive Council positions.  Nominations must be made in writing, to include email, to Acting Secretary Karen Straub Stanton (strauks@auburn.edu) of ALATA, Inc.  The nominations shall close by June 1st and ballots will be distributed to the membership by mail and/or through applicable electronic technology by July 1st.  The Executive Secretary of the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers (Leah Taylor) shall preside over all elections.  Voting shall be completed by August 1st and election results announced to the membership by August 15th.  Election shall be by a majority popular vote.  Newly elected Executive Council Members will take office and begin their terms on the ALATA, Inc. Executive Council the following January 1st .
 

The application deadline of March 31 to apply for 2009 ALATA scholarships is quickly approaching. Applications and criteria are available at www.alata.org/scholarship.htm.  A graduate scholarship of $1,000 and an undergraduate scholarship of $1,000.00 are available.

If you need additional information and application, please visit www.alata.org/resources.htm  or email Paul Crawford at paul.crawford@lcschools.org or Jake Shaw at jakeshaw76@hotmail.com.