Fall 2015

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Issue 5

Region
Representatives:
Chair
Amanda Bagus

Welcome

Region 1
Gregory Nordlund

Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time to look through this issue of the
Illinois Young Professionals Committee (YPC) newsletter.

Region 2
Sean Hopkins

I would like to welcome to our new Region 3 Representative, Erica Kendrick.

Check out her page for more information about Erica and tips she shares from
her experience as YP Athletic Trainer.

Region 3
Erica Kendrick

Also, welcome and thank you to our guest writer and seasoned YP, Dave Heidloff,
for sharing his advice and tools for overcoming the challenges we face as
newcomers in our field.

Region 4
Billy Netzhammer

Inside this issue:

Announcements 1

Feature

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Final Notes

After time for summer relaxation and reflection, I hope you enjoy these articles
written by your peers, and use them as motivation moving forward into the thick
of your respective sports seasons.
Good luck and keep em safe Amanda Bagus, ATC

Announcements

Thanks to the hard work of our governmental affairs committee and our
legislators, our State Practice Act has been signed by Governor Rauner! It
will be put into effect on January 1st, 2016, and continue through January
1st, 2026. For questions or more information, please see the September
IATA E-Blast or feel free to reach out to your YPC representative.

State meeting registration is now open. This years program is offering 7

CEUs available during Sundays general sessions, 3 EBP CEUs available on
Saturday and Sunday, and the CISM Work-shop on Friday and Saturday
offering a total of 13 CEUs. Check out the email invite for more information
or register here: http://www.cvent.com/d/brqrkm/1Q

IATA is currently looking for volunteers for the state meeting. Even if you
can only spare an hour, there is a volunteer position available for you.
Please contact Matt Munjoy (mmunjoy@comcast.net) for more
information or to volunteer.

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Fall 2015

Page 2 of 7

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Issue 5

Staying Motivated
Dave Heidloff is a Head Athletic Trainer at Oak Park River Forest High School and
has taken on many innovative and leadership roles in our profession as a YP.
Region
Representatives:
Chair
Amanda Bagus
Region 1
Gregory Nordlund
Region 2
Sean Hopkins
Region 3
Erica Kendrick
Region 4
Billy Netzhammer

Inside this issue:

Announcements 1

Feature

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Final Notes

I was recently asked to give some input to new athletic trainers about making the most of our
profession. As I began my career as a young athletic trainer, I often found myself experiencing the
extreme highs and lows common to ATs. The thrill of putting years of education and experience into
practice in a secondary school setting was what I had hoped it would be Friday night lights, getting
injured athletes back on the field in time get a winning goal, and taking athletes from injury to rehab
to a breakout year on the court. There were some rough times, though being confused with a
personal trainer, finding my position under-utilized due to a misunderstanding of my expertise, and
struggling to balance work and life off of the field. Now that I find myself pushing the limits of what
is considered a young professional, I have found resolutions to these issues that worked for me
and I feel they can be summed up in following 3 tenets.
Find a passion
Loving what you do has to be at the core of what you do every day. Everyone has a different passion
and figuring out what that is can be tricky. I started out thinking I wanted to end up in the strength
and conditioning realm, specializing in post-formal rehabilitation for athletes. That passion evolved,
though, into one that focuses more on the prevention of injuries particularly ACL tears. Having a
portion of my job devoted to something I truly believe in helps keep me motivated and inspired to
continuously improve my skill set as an AT.
Become an expert
Use our CEU requirement as the basis to become a leader in the field of something like concussions,
ACL rehabilitation, performance enhancement, or a particular joint. Not only will you be a more
effective AT on the job, but people will take notice when that expertise has an opportunity to shine.
In time, that expertise will open doors to exciting opportunities. So many people in our profession
are proficient in many things, but experts in nothing. I feel like that is a missed opportunity to really
excel and show your value as a medical professional. Personally, I spent a lot of time in CEU courses
and sifting through research articles on PubMed learning all I could about ACL injury prevention,
rehabilitation, and return to sport testing. My passion on the topic allowed me to create an ACL
program from scratch and assist in new research with the backing of an amazing group of
physicians. I now have the opportunity to co-author articles, participate in media interviews, and
carry my own patient load in a physical therapy clinic. There is no way this would have happened if I
was only taking CEU courses to simply meet my certification requirements.
Learn how to balance work and personal life
Its no secret that burnout rates in our profession are high. Long hours and feeling underappreciated
(emotionally or financially) are probably the most common complaints I hear from new ATs. I think
that it is important to create an environment that meets the needs of your athletes without costing
you your free time. Seeking support from your athletic director to facilitate some down time is often
as simple as presenting a solution. Asking your AD to set a practice time window on a holiday
weekend or hiring an outside AT for a day, for example, can be a nice compromise that will allow
you to finally attend a family cookout. Ive found a lot of support and ideas for improvement from
social media groups for ATs on Facebook and Twitter. I would encourage you to connect with others
there that can relate to our unique roles.
With a little focus and self-evaluation you can have a fulfilling career as an AT, positively impacting
the lives of your athletes and community.
Dave Heidloff, ATC, PES, FMS

Fall 2015

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Issue 5

REGION 1
Region
Representatives:
Chair
Amanda Bagus
Region 1
Gregory Nordlund
Region 2
Sean Hopkins
Region 3
Erica Kendrick
Region 4
Billy Netzhammer

Inside this issue:

Announcements 1

Feature

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Sponsors

Greg gives us some perspective on our current salary concerns

All professionals want to be valued and earn a deserving salary when it comes
to their jobs, but in athletic training, our salary does not always seem to fit
with the job we do. I have had interviews in the past were the employer told
me a full-time position would pay in the high twenty thousand dollar range
with multiple years of experience on my side. I was shocked, amazed and
frankly, offended at that salary. I instantly turned the position down. In an
effort to continue moving forward, we have to continue valuing our profession
and break out of the pattern of accepting low and unrealistic offers.
I attended the annual NATA conference this year and listened to multiple
speakers talk about the current salary, as well as benefit issues. The consensus
was that NATA wants to tighten the standards on both of these concerns. One
way they are doing this is through The Career Center, which will begin to take
down jobs that do not meet our criteria for salary and benefits.
Our mission is simple, we do not change jobs on a regular basis, but when we
do, we have to demand a salary that accommodates the job in which we are
placed. If minimum wage workers can demand a higher salary, why cant we?
Next time when it comes to a salary discussion, either with a new job or with
your current job, do not settle for less. We will not make progress until we step
up to educate our employers on why we deserve more. I was afraid to speak
out when I was first accepting a job, but I value my career and the time I put in
to it. I spend hours away from my family on a regular basis and travel with
teams which means I am away for most weekends throughout the year. I take
pride in what I do, in what we as athletic trainers. Let us encourage each other
as young professionals to have that conversation, and know we are worth
more for the work we put in.
Athletic training salary information can be found at the
following: http://www.nata.org/nata-salary-survey

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Fall 2015

Page 4 of 7

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Issue 5

Region
Representatives:

REGION 2
Keys of Communication

Chair
Amanda Bagus

Hello all and welcome to the fall sports season! I hope everyone enjoyed a little
break and some relaxation over the summer.

Region 1
Gregory Nordlund

As I was getting ready to write this article I had a lot on my mind. I changed
schools this year for the first time, in order to be closer to home. Although I have
been an Athletic Trainer for four years, I am learning to adjust to a new situation.
I am working with new coaches, parents, athletes and administrators. Over the
last two weeks of collecting new information and meeting new people, the
concept of communication has impacted me most. How information is
transmitted from one person to another. Whether we are talking to coaches
about schedule changes or explaining an injury to our athletes, we need to be
clear with our communication and avoid assuming someone else has already
passed it along.

Region 2
Sean Hopkins
Region 3
Erica Kendrick
Region 4
Billy Netzhammer

Inside this issue:

Announcements 1

Feature

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Final Notes

I believe the method of communication you use is just as important as the

message. Email and text messages are quick and convenient, but face-to-face
conversations are more personal. I know we are all busy and we need to be
efficient with our time, but this is an area we cannot afford to short change. A
few things that I try to do daily are talk with coaches from each sport and drop
by to talk with the school nurse, and on games days, talk with visiting ATs and
introduce myself to officials.
Regardless of your setting, make a conscious effort to be clear with your
communication. The more we interact with those around us and communicate
our expectations, the more we make people aware of our presence and impact
as an Athletic Trainer

Good luck and have a great fall!

Sean Hopkins, ATC
Athletico
Lisle Senior High School

Fall 2015

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Issue 5

REGION 3
Region
Representatives:
Chair
Amanda Bagus
Region 1
Gregory Nordlund
Region 2
Sean Hopkins

Erica shares great advice for keeping grounded as a YP

Erica earned her bachelors degree in athletic training from Florida State University in 2012. Erica
then went on to complete a graduate assistantship with the Warrior Athletic Training Program at
Auburn University where she earned her masters degree in exercise science in 2013. Afterwards,
Erica completed an internship at Northwestern University where she provided medical care for the
fencing and swimming and diving teams. Erica currently works at Illinois State University where shes
starting her second season with the womens volleyball team. In her spare time, Erica enjoys
spending time outside and trying new Pinterest recipes.
A Few Tips for Young Professionals

Region 3
Erica Kendrick

Speak Up, Ask Questions, Give Suggestions, and check-in periodically with your supervisor
Communication is key in our profession. If you dont know or are not quite sure about a specific
policy or procedure, ask! Also, dont hesitate to give your opinion or suggest an alternative.
Sometimes having a fresh perspective is helpful as a new hire or young mind. Check in with your
supervisor for feedback on your performance. Be sure to communicate your needs and interests as
well!

Region 4
Billy Netzhammer

Inside this issue:

Announcements 1

Feature

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Final Notes

Make Goals
Start out by establishing goals that are broad. As you continue to advance your career, you may shift
your goals or fine-tune them. Post your goals in a place where youll see them often. Use them as
daily motivation and a reminder for what you want to accomplish.
Establish Values
Establish your values by finding what is truly important to you. Use those values to determine your
priorities and keep them in mind when considering other opportunities. Remember that advancing
your career is a continuous process. Review your plan regularly and refine as necessary.
Network
Im definitely guilty of choosing Netflix and my couch over picking up the phone and calling a friend or
colleague on occasion. Not only should you work to maintain relationships with your peers, but you
should also make an effort to network with your schools or companys administrators. Not sure what
to say? Use holidays, a big game, or known events as an opportunity to reach out.
Challenge Yourself Daily
Our professional is constantly changing and we have a responsibility as athletic trainers to stay
current. Read professional publications, get involved within your professional organizations or
athletic training communities, expand your administrative responsibilities or establish a clinical
specialization. When youve become comfortable or proficient in one area, seek out another
challenge that aligns with your plan.

Fall 2015

Illinois Young Professionals Committee Newsletter

Issue 5

REGION 4
Region
Representatives:
Chair
Amanda Bagus
Region 1
Gregory Nordlund
Region 2
Sean Hopkins
Region 3
Erica Kendrick
Region 4
Billy Netzhammer

Inside this issue:

Announcements 1

Feature

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

With the fall season upon us, its time again to focus on EAP and spine boarding protocols. This
summer, the NATA announced changes to their executive summary for Appropriate Care of the
Spine-Injured Athlete, which made significant changes to the previous summary. They made
changes to recommendations 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11. The changes to recommendations 4 and 5 made
the largest impact. Recommendation Four now reads, When appropriate, protective
equipment may be removed prior to transport, and Recommendation Five reads, Equipment
removal should be performed by at least three rescuers trained and experienced with equipment
removal at the earliest possible time. If fewer than three people are present, the equipment
should be removed at the earliest possible time after enough trained individuals arrive on the
scene. This has many Athletic Trainers and Emergency Medical Services rethinking how they will
care for an athlete who is suspected of having a spinal injury, especially those who cover football
or other sports that use protective equipment.
In an effort to help athletic trainers with this change, Illinois Southwestern Conference Athletic
Trainers Association held a CEU event at Lindenwood University-Belleville, to familiarize local
athletic trainers with the new recommendations. This event provided athletic trainers with
multiple techniques on how to remove equipment and to get the athlete position correctly and
safely on a spine board, such as the newly recommended 8 man lift (Figure1), which requires six
people to lift the patient off the ground while another maintains cervical spine stabilization and a
final person slides the spine board under patient. This was a great opportunity to open a forum
and discuss different techniques that can be used to care for athletes who are suspected to have a
cervical injury.

Figure 1: 8 Man lift technique

Region 4

Final Notes

It is important to be on the same page with your local emergency medical service providers. With
the fall season closely approaching, its important to get together and go over these procedures to
be sure that you are providing the best care possible for you your athletes. To learn more about
this executive summary please visit the following link: http://www.nata.org/NR06242015

-Billy Netzhammer, MS, ATC, LAT

Contact Information:

To see updates via Facebook, look for the group page entitled
IATA Young Professionals Committee, you must request to
join the group.
We are also now on Twitter! Follow us at @IllinoisAT_YPC.

YPC Chair
Amanda Bagus
Akbagus2@gmail.com
Region 1 Representative

If you wish to be included in future volunteer or professional

association opportunities please send your contact
information to YPC chair, Amanda Bagus, at
akbagus2@gmail.com . This will allow us to easily contact you
with opportunities!

Gregory Nordlundnordlg2932@hotmail.com
Region 2 Representative

IATA Founding Partners

Sean Hopkinssean98247@gmail.com
Region 3 Representative
Erica Kendrick
ericakendrickatc@gmail.com

Presidential Partners

Region 4 Representative
Billy Netzhammerbill.netzhammer@gmail.com

Final Notes

Check out GLATAs updated website! As usual, you can find everything at GLATA.org.

One of the YPCs ongoing initiatives is to present to undergraduate ATEPs within the state. We present on
what it means to be a young professional in athletic training and how they can contribute as such. If your
program is interested in having a committee member present, please contact your region representative
and we will schedule a time to do so!

If you have information or news you would like to see in the quarterly YPC newsletter, please contact your
YPC region representative with the information. This can include: news regarding a YPC in your region,
charity or volunteer opportunities (does not have to be athletic training related), athletic training events,
etc.