The University of Portland's athletic training staff will join together with other certified athletic trainers (ATCs) throughout the United States to celebrate their profession in March, during National Athletic Training Month.

Athletic trainers will be organizing special events, screenings, health fairs, luncheons and other activities in their local communities. The purpose is not only to generate awareness of ATCs’ important role in sports settings, corporations, schools, the military, hospitals and other health care facilities, but also to educate the public on important health care issues. During this year’s National Athletic Training Month, ATCs will be focusing on the topic of “Injury Treatment: Early Care Speeds Recovery.”

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is a not-for-profit organization that represents 30,000 members in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and others who are engaged in everyday physical activities. Recognized as allied health care professionals by the American Medical Association, ATCs help lessen the burden on the public and private health care systems.