I am honored and humbled to be nominated for the NCATA Secretary position. This position affords the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to the continued success and advancement of the state organization. A position like this is vital in assisting to bridge the gaps between the district levels and the NATA to ensure the mutual success of all organizations. Being a newcomer to the state over two years ago, it was easy to recognize the potential of North Carolina and all that it can do for its athletic trainers. It has inspired me to be more involved and provide any support that I can for the benefit of the profession.  

I am a native of El Paso, TX, and have been practicing clinically as an athletic trainer for the last 26 years. My professional career has provided me with opportunities to work in the collegiate setting, in Major league baseball, and as a medical services volunteer for the USOPC. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in Kinesiology, and a Master's degree from the University of New Mexico in Sports Administration. I am currently the Manager of Athletic Training/Director of Sports Medicine for Atrium Health Services at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte., and serve on the Program Development Committee of the NCATA.

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Prior to coming to North Carolina, I spent 15 years at the University of Texas at El Paso, where  my tenure ended as the Associate Director of Sports Medicine and Head Football Athletic Trainer. Direct oversight of all medical services for a Div. I football program, as well as served as the NCAA-designated Athletics Health Care Administrator (ACHA), and mental health coordinator for UTEP athletics highlight some of my accomplishments there. My career started in professional sports as I worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000 as an athletic trainer in the team's minor league system and stayed with the organization until 2006. My stops with the Dodgers included stops in rookie league Yakima, Double-A Jacksonville, and Triple-A Las Vegas. I was fortunate enough to serve as an athletic trainer in the Arizona Fall League during twice my time with the Dodgers. In 2006, I was named minor league athletic training coordinator for the organization and was voted Pacific Coast League Athletic Trainer of the Year. As A medical service volunteer for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, I served as an athletic trainer with USA Taekwondo for regional and world events, and was named to the 2011 Pan American Games medical team in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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Moving things in a direction with fresh idea and a new perspective are things that I feel I can contribute to the organization, and I am excited for the opportunity to serve this professions, leadership, members and students in any way that I can.

My name is Tyler DePew and I have been an Athletic Trainer for over twenty years. In that time, I have worked in a wide variety of practice settings, including professional sports, college athletics, clinic, and currently, industrial athletic training. Throughout my career I have had the fortune to work with a wide array of allied health professionals, and I have always attempted to learn from each person I have worked with. One trait I have seen echoed countless times within the healthcare field is the importance of service virtue. Serving our profession and helping young professionals achieve their goals is of high importance to me at this point in my career. I enjoy my time interacting with fellow ATs and our students and want to see them succeed. Due to this belief, I have spent time on the Program Development committee in both North Carolina and Oregon. I see serving as the Secretary of the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association as a natural progression that allows me to continue to fulfil those beliefs both personally and professionally. I look forward to helping the Athletic Trainers in the state of North Carolina and continuing to push our profession forward. Thank you.

I have been a certified ATC and a member of the NCATA for over 18 years.  Originally from Virginia, I attended East Carolina University for Undergrad and NC State University for my Masters.  My clinical experience started with the  Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons after ECU, and then I returned to North Carolina to be a Graduate Assistant at NC State for two years with Football.   Upon graduation from NC State, I accepted a full time position there for 10 years.  After I moved on from day to day AT life, I went into sales.  First with ACO Med Supply, then Medco Sports Medicine and now Milliken Healthcare, manufacturer of PowerFlex.  I love what I do because I get to visit with Athletic Trainers and Athletes from around the world while educating them on our products.  Even though I only practice occasionally these days, I still have continuously maintained my Certification and State Licensure.  This is very important to me.  

I would like your consideration for position of Secretary within the NCATA because for years I have wanted to help grow our association.  I recently this year accepted the position of Vendor Coordinator/Sponsorships for our association.  I use my connections in the sales field to help bring new vendors and sponsors to help fund our meeting.  I think my experience in the profession over the past 18+ years, as a practicing ATC and a Sales professional, will bring some new insights and allow us to grow into our future.  Thank you!

I am writing to apply for the open secretary position for the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association. Currently, I am an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at Western Carolina University (WCU). Since moving to North Carolina and joining NCATA in 2016, I have been involved in the association through serving and then chairing the Student Symposium Committee and then moving to the Program Development Committee and serving as the co-chair for the last year. I am passionate about athletic training and I believe I have the necessary attributes and experiences to contribute to the NCATA as the secretary and be an excellent representative for the profession and association. I want to serve the profession and organizations that have shaped who I am as an athletic trainer and athletic training educator.

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Throughout my service experiences, I have a demonstrated record of success in serving on committees and providing thoughtful, clear, and thorough feedback by the deadline. Professionally, I currently serve on the MAATA on the Research and Grants Committee, NCATA Program Development Committee, and NATA Professional Education Committee, among others. Through my work on these committees, I have been instrumental in developing resources (e.g., Clinical Education Coordinator Chat series, NATA Teaching Tips, Master Preceptor) and planning educational symposiums to support athletic trainers. In my role as the NCATA Program Development Committee Co-chair, I was active in planning and executing the annual symposium. Additionally, there were a few “behind the scenes” projects completed to enhance efficiency, such as reactivating our BOC Approved Provider number, developing the Annual Meeting Operations manual in alignment with the NCATA Bylaws, and creating position descriptions and expectations for committee members for the Program Development and Student Program Development Committees. At WCU, I serve on the University Curriculum Committee for the past six years (this past year as chair), and individuals consistently report that I provide thorough reviews and pick up on the small details of each proposal, which demonstrates my attention to detail and organizational skills. Additionally, serving as the Chair of the committee required me to communicate with proposal originators and provide clear, detailed feedback on committee decisions and recommendations, thus demonstrating excellent communication skills. Additionally, I serve as an associate editor for the Athletic Training Education Journal (ATEJ) and a manuscript reviewer for many other journals. As a reviewer, one must provide clear and thorough feedback to improve the quality of the manuscript, adhere to a timeline to ensure timely decisions, and pay attention to detail. Due to the quality of my reviews, I was selected to become an ATEJ Editorial Board member, and then advanced to associate editor. All of these experiences have provided me with the requisite knowledge and skills to serve the NCATA as the secretary.

I was once told by another athletic trainer who has served the profession in many aspects that I was a fungus. After my initial indignation about being compared to my least favorite food or potentially a fungal infection, the individual specified that he as meant that statement as a compliment, because I was persistently present, like funghi. He stated that even if he did not know my skills or anything else about me, he would hire me because I was always present in athletic training events. He recognized that I put myself out there to become involved and find       ways to serve. I regularly reflect on that conversation, because it truly was a compliment. I believe being involved and serving the profession is vitally important, which is why I would like to serve the NCATA as the secretary.

My goal as a member of the NCATA Program Development Committee and potentially the Executive Board as secretary would be to represent the members of the state. Throughout my time in North Carolina, I have developed relationships with many athletic trainers and I aim to  continue collaborating with the amazing athletic trainers in the state of North Carolina. Serving the NCATA as the secretary is a great responsibility. I have a record of committee service in which I was an active participant at all meetings and completed all tasks in a timely manner. My passion for athletic training, education, and service make me an excellent candidate to represent the NCATA. I believe I can thoughtfully contribute to the NCATA and their mission of supporting athletic trainers and advance the profession of athletic training in North Carolina.