May 04, 2026

The CAATE is proud to recognize the inspiring achievements and dedicated work of Christopher Viesselman, EdD, ATC, LAT. Viesselman serves as the Vice Chair for the Professional Accreditation Council and as a Peer Reviewer.

How did you become involved with athletic training?

I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but was uncertain about which field. During a shadowing experience in our local hospital-based rehabilitation clinic, I was lucky to have an athletic trainer invite me to spend the day observing, and was hooked.

How did you become involved with the CAATE?

I have always been driven to learn. After a challenging accreditation site visit, I wanted to better understand the process and how we could leverage accreditation to make meaningful improvements to our own program. This was also a time when I was exploring different areas of potential professional service and considering where my skills could be best applied to make a meaningful impact on the profession. The CAATE was a natural fit.

What are some highlights from your athletic training career?

While it didn’t feel like a highlight at the time, I was in the right place at the right time to help save the lives of two individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. I will also always remember the many patients I was able to care for during challenging moments in their athletic careers. As I transitioned my career to focus more on education, the greatest highlight has been the students who allowed me to learn alongside them and help them launch their own careers in athletic training. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by exceptional mentors, colleagues, and students throughout my career in athletic training.

What is a highlight from your involvement with the CAATE?

Much like the highlights from my athletic training career, it is the people. I am fortunate to volunteer my time with some amazing athletic trainers. Some I have known throughout my career and others I have gotten to know through my service at the CAATE. Either way, I get to working alongside them to make the profession of athletic training better for the next generation.

In your words, how do you believe you are contributing to the CAATE mission? 

(The CAATE mission: Catalyzing to advance athletic training education through the promotion of quality improvement, innovation, diversity, and best practices for student recruitment.)

This is the foundation of the work that I am am involved with on the Professional Accreditation Council and during Peer Reviews. Our focus never deviates from working towards innovation and quality improvement to support the profession. I am a small part of a large team of people working every day to advance the profession of athletic training.

Why do you believe students, faculty, and athletic trainers should become involved with the CAATE?

I believe that education is where individuals can make a positive impact in others’ lives. Supporting, developing, and improving athletic training education is one of the most important ways to make a meaningful, positive impact on the future of the athletic training profession.

Can you share words of inspiration or a quote about your experience in athletic training or the CAATE?

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are," attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, but I sincerely believe that everyone can make a difference.