Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Holly Broiser National Athletic Trainers' Association President Chuck Kimmel encourages the Student Athletic Training Organization on Sunday during a meeting in the Health Professions Building. [Click to enlarge]

Underlying tension with physical therapists is endangering the athletic training profession, the president of the National Athletic Trainers' Association said Sunday.

But Chuck Kimmel, NATA president, said tension is unnecessary and the professions can complement each other.

"We need to stay closely linked to physicians," he said.

Kimmel met with the Student Athletic Training Organization executive board Sunday and complimented their efficiency.

Kari Odland, faculty adviser for SATO, said some physical therapists don't acknowledge the role of athletic trainers, preferring to frown upon rather than appreciate them.

"This type of thing does concern me," Kimmel said.

Odland said there is fear over job security within the athletic training field.

Kimmel said the ultimate "doomsday" scenario involves the American Physical Therapy Associating running athletic trainers out of business.

But there are more than enough people who need treatment to provide patients for both groups, he said.

Athletic trainers offer expertise in areas in which physical trainers do not specialize, Kimmel said.

People outside athletics have been increasingly coming to athletic trainers for assistance, to opposition both from within and outside NATA, Kimmel said. Some people think NATA should remain exclusively tied to athletes.

But Kimmel said client appreciation makes the additional outreach more than worthwhile.

Nick Tackett, Illinois senior and SATO president, said he plans to go to graduate school in an area outside athletic training, though he takes pride in his athletic credentials.

"I value it, and I'm very proud of this training," he said.

However, he said, there is a stigma toward people who turn away from athletic training as their main profession.

Odland described it as a sense of disappointment.

"I wish the good ones would stay," she said.

Kimmel said what draws many people away from professional athletic training is money. Only by better asserting their worth will athletic trainers be paid their full value, he said.

Tackett said Kimmel's visit reflects highly on his care for the profession.


news@cm-life.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools