Greetings VAAT members,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying some warmer weather after another snowy, and seemingly lengthy winter in Vermont. As you are well aware the profession of Athletic Training in the state has continued to grow and garnished increased esteem within the allied health and medical communities over the past few years. These recent advances in stature are vastly attributable to our political successes in Montpelier. AT’s are now billing for, and receiving third-party reimbursement for athletic training services provided in the clinical setting. Special thanks go to Mike Landsberg for all of his efforts, as well as Vin Faraci and the Third-Party Reimbursement Committee for their work thus far.
As our profession continues to grow, we have seen an increasing influx of young professionals embarking upon careers in athletic training. This is true both at the national level, as well as here in Vermont as evidenced by the demographic breakdown of VAAT members in the Secretaries Report below. This is particularly remarkable because (with the advent of our progressive legislation) the VAAT is at a pivotal point regarding its ability to influence the state of the athletic training profession in Vermont. We are in great need of current and new members to step up to the plate with fresh ideas and an eagerness to do their part and get involved. We are lucky that we reside in such a beautiful and relatively small state (in geographical size as well as population), characteristics that aid in the efficacy of state associations. Each association, however, is only as strong as its members and their willingness to serve for the greater good of all involved! So please participate as much as you are able!
A large proportion of our membership reports their primary job setting as being in the university/collegiate setting with the remaining half being primarily split between clinical & secondary school settings. Denise Alosa has been working hard to develop a secondary schools committee, however, we have limited setting-specific representation or committee work geared toward members working in the collegiate setting. Please discuss the idea of a specific VAAT committee whose charge would be to help address the needs of VT AT’s working in this setting with your colleagues, and contact an Executive Committee member to discuss how this would best be accomplished.
As a final note, my term as VAAT President will conclude this Saturday at our State meeting during the Northern New England Athletic Training Conference. Denise Alosa will assume the role and I will continue my involvement with the association to a much lesser degree as Immediate Past President. Special thanks are provided on page 3 of this newsletter to individuals who have contributed above and beyond the call over the past few years, and have helped elevate the profession in VT to what it is today through their VAAT involvement.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your association president!
- Tim

ttourville@vtathletictrainers.org

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