Fellow Athletic Trainers,
Thank you for attending the 26th annual meeting, it is always good to see you all.

I want to thank Mike McMillan and all of the staff from southwest Bone and Joint for all that they have done I wanted to thank them for putting on a very professional and well organized meeting. I also want to personally thank Dr. Carreon for all of his support of the Athletic Trainers in the state, especially with his work with the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

It has been a very good three years for the board, with the implementations of laws helping athletic trainers become recognized as health care professionals. The countless hours of work the association has put into the efforts with the NMAA and providing care for the youth of this state. Public relations work with the start of the wrap up a cure program and the efforts of public awareness that have put the profession of athletic training in the forefront of health care in this state. We have a lot to be proud of but most important is the professional manner that each of you have shown to the rest of the state. I applaud the work that you have done on committees and pride that you have put into the association.

I believe that the greatest achievement that has been made is that the association has grown. More members have retained their membership with the NATA and with the NMATA than ever before. I would like to see this continue; to promote your profession and open the doors like you have done in the past, by instilling the need for athletic trainers to be hired and given the opportunity to be employed.

I would ask one thing from each of you and that is nominating your peers who have done a good job and honor them for their hard work. We all know of someone who is deserving of awards. Take the time to send in their name and information to the honors and awards committee. By doing so you are also providing a positive reward to those you work with on a daily basis.

All in all we are striving to become a well-organized profession with the main goal of progressing our profession to the future. I ask all of you to continue this road we are traveling and to continue the work that you are already doing. I appreciate all of you and I am honored to be your representative to our State, District and National governing bodies.

Timothy Acklin ATC, LAT
NMATA, President