Nov. 12, 2024
The CAATE is proud to recognize the positive achievements and dedicated work of Beth Harrison! Continue reading learn more about his contribution to the CAATE and the athletic training field.
How did you become involved with athletic training?
It was a bit of a journey for me. I never had an athletic trainer in high school and was a nursing major originally in college. I had shoulder surgery to fix an injury from my time as an athlete and during my recovery became fascinated with the rehabilitation process. I was in an anatomy and physiology class and was talking to someone about my surgery and what I was doing in physical therapy, and it turns out, she was an athletic training student at the university. That is how I was introduced to Athletic Training as a career. The next day I changed my major from nursing to Athletic Training and never looked back. It ended up being the perfect combination for my desire to go into health care and still be in that athletic world.
How did you become involved with the CAATE?
As I transitioned my career into education, it became important for me to be involved with the organizations that help to better the field. The CAATE is a great choice for me to volunteer with as it allows me to be more actively involved in improving aspects of the profession.
What are some highlights from your athletic training career?
I have had some great experiences as an athletic trainer. Some of the highlights would be taking a trip to Puerto Rico with the swimming and diving team I was working with, working with a few international athletes who qualified for their country's Olympic Swim Teams, was able to practice in the US Virgin Islands and helped to bring a full-time athletic training position to the University of the Virgin Islands.
What is a highlight from your involvement with the CAATE?
While I have only been a volunteer for the CAATE for a year now, my main highlight up to this point has been all the people I have had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with as part of the DEIA&LD committee.
In your words, how do you believe you are contributing to the CAATE mission?
(The CAATE mission: Serving as a catalyst to advance athletic training education through the promotion of quality improvement, innovation, diversity, and best practices for student recruitment.)
As a member of the DEIA&LD committee, I believe the contributions we are making as a committee are very much aligned with the CAATE mission. I enjoy working to ensure that the volunteer demographics and goals continue to give representation and support to the students in the programs. The more voices that are given representation within the CAATE will only help to better serve the future of the profession and patient populations.
Why do you believe students, faculty, and athletic trainers should become involved with the CAATE?
I believe it is very important for as many settings as possible to become involved with the CAATE. I think that so many people believe that only educators have a voice in the CAATE, I thought that for a while myself. However, the educational experience is dependent on the wonderful preceptors we partner with. Those preceptors are lifeline for programs and create the most "real world" learning opportunities for the students. Those clinical athletic trainers should take the opportunity to provide insights into the educational process. Students, faculty, and clinical athletic trainers in all settings are important stakeholders for the CAATE and would be able to provide unique insights and perspective on how to continue to grow and better the profession.
Can you share words of inspiration or a quote about your experience in athletic training or the CAATE?
Be open to opportunities that may present themselves to you. You can never truly predict what route your career will take and being involved in things will help open doors that you may not realize were even there.