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July VATA Newsletter
Executive Council Report
Dry needling legislation
As summer progresses, we are moving closer to the start of a new legislative session. Even throughout the summer, we have maintained a strong emphasis on building and maintaining relationships with our legislators. Many thanks to our lobbyist, Debra Rodman, who has continued to network with legislators (from the Senate and House of Delegates) about our dry needling legislation.
Before we move into the legislative session, we need to recognize the barriers we face, potentially including stiff opposition from the Physical Therapists and Acupuncturists groups. Here are two specific concerns that we will face:
1. With the practice act being open, the Physical Therapists group will likely add an amendment that includes Physical Therapists with supervisory authority over a Licensed Athletic Trainer, the same as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dentistry. As a profession, this is not something that we will support. If this amendment is added, we will have to pull the legislation.
2. The Acupuncturists want specifications regarding training to be included in the legislation. Despite our multiple conversations, we will not get their support for legislation until we specify the training requirements (including 50+ hours of didactic training and 50+ hours of supervised practice under a physician). For many, this would mean that the current training (which includes about 30 hours of didactic and skills training) would not be sufficient to perform dry needling techniques.
The opposition that we face is fierce! The Physical Therapists and Acupuncturists groups are willing to support our legislation, if we meet their specific wants. As a profession, neither of these wants are in the best interest of Licensed Athletic Trainers in Virginia nor the patients we serve.
We need participation and engagement from the members. The number of people who have called, sent text messages or emails, or stopped Kirk at MAATA and NATA has far outnumbered the individuals who wrote to their legislators or attended Legislative Day in February. The only way for this legislation to pass is for members to get involved. This will require phone calls to legislators, sending emails to legislators, and physically showing up in Richmond to meet with legislators. This is the only way that we will get this legislation passed. Last session, the Acupuncturists showed up and made sure their voices were heard. The reality is that if we do not have better participation from our members, we will not be successful in passing this legislation.
We want to offer a time/place for members to ask questions, share feedback and provide input regarding the dry needling legislation. Please join us during the following VATA Virtual Townhall sessions:
Legislative Day 2027
The VATA has been awarded $6,000 from the MAATA for our legislative efforts. Mark your calendar for Friday, January 29, 2027 for VATA Legislative Day.
We will begin with a briefing at 9:00am in the General Assembly Building (201 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219). Individual meetings with your legislators will occur between 9:30am-12:00pm.
NATA Convention updates
Congratulations to our VATA and MAATA Quiz Bowl winners for winning 3rd place at the NATA Quiz Bowl!
Pictured from left to right: Aesia Garban, Trilby Kite, Kristen Meinberg (Shenandoah University)
Committee Reports
Annual Meeting Committee
The Call for Proposals for the 2027 VATA Annual Meeting is now OPEN! Submissions are due by August 16th.
If you have any questions regarding submission or presentation requirements, please contact Meghan Shifflett at [email protected]
Research committee
Research Grant application & instructions
Honors & Awards Committee
Want to recognize one of your colleagues? Nominate them for VATA Athletic Trainer of the Year! Athletic Trainer of the Year Nominations are accepted annually in the following categories:
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College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year: Must be >50% clinical
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Vito Perriello Secondary Schools Athletic Trainer of the Year
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Clinical & Emerging Practice Athletic Trainer of the Year
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Educator of the Year
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Researcher of the Year
Click below for instructions. Nominations are due October 1, 2026.
Young Professionals
The YP Committee is currently looking for ATs in their first 0-12 years of certification from ALL VATA regions who are interested in becoming more involved within the profession at the state level. For any questions or to apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Emi Cornwell MS, LAT, ATC at [email protected].
Committee Chair Transitions
Education compliance chair
The Education Compliance Chair position is up for appointment. If you are interested in this position, please send a letter of interest and your resume to VATA President Kirk Armstrong ([email protected]).
Duties
- Serve the VATA by maintaining compliance with the Board of Certification (BOC) Approved Provider program. Maintaining this compliance allows VATA to offer approved continuing education to ATs.
- Responsible for ensuring that all BOC Approved Provider standards are met, as well as the completion of relevant reports to the BOC as requested.
