California Athletic Trainers' Association (CATA)

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California Athletic Trainers' Association (CATA)

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from California Athletic Trainers' Association (CATA), Medical and health, 100 The City Drive, Orange, CA.

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the provision of physical medicine and rehabilitation services, serving as physician extenders in the prevention, assessment and treatment of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses.

09/03/2026

You may have seen an Athletic Business article being shared today claiming that Gov. Newsom signed a bill changing the CIF Heat Illness Policy to allow “desert areas” to have a higher threshold. This is inaccurate.

Gov. Newsom did sign a bill related to the CIF Heat Illness Policy; however, the language referenced in the article is old language that was removed following stakeholder feedback.

The new law requires CIF to review its Heat Illness Policy annually and update it as necessary, with consideration for regions with higher average temperatures.

CATA and KSI jointly opposed the original language referenced in the Athletic Business article. CATA will continue to monitor and advocate on legislation impacting athletic trainers, healthcare, and consumer health and safety in California.

Questions about a current bill? Please reach out to [email protected].

08/27/2026

The CHAMP program is designed to help any and all individuals who are suffering from acute financial distress that may affect their membership status. Members in need that qualify may obtain assistance from CATA leadership in paying for NATA dues, or assist with other financial distress scenarios.

See the available CHAMP programs below

Category A: NATA Membership Dues - Application open until November 30

REQUIREMENTS:
* Copy of your NATA Dues Renewal Form (1 year only).
* https://www.nata.org/membership/about-membership/join-or-renew

Category B: Unemployment Assistance - Application open throughout the year

REQUIREMENTS:
* Approximate date unemployment began

Category C: Disaster Assistance - Application open throughout the year

REQUIREMENTS:
* City and Date where the disaster occurred
* OPTIONAL: Pictures of damage caused by the disaster.

Visit ca-at.org/CHAMP for more information and application!

08/22/2026

The CATA is considering including a CPR course as a part of our 2027 Symposium. We are seeking your thoughts and feedback to assist our planning. Please complete this brief survey regarding your preferences for incorporating a CPR course into our Symposium.

https://forms.gle/xVeBXCYXvA1TxZr76

08/10/2026

REGION 5 AT OF THE MONTH: KEN MCCALL

Please join us in recognizing Ken McCall, ATC, CSCS, EMT as the Region 5 Athletic Trainer of the Month!

Ken earned his B.A. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training from California State University, Long Beach and has been a certified athletic trainer for 23 years. He has been a longtime member of Region 5 and has spent the majority of his career serving the students and athletes of Brea Olinda High School.

Ken’s impact extends far beyond the athletic training room. As an athletic trainer and ROP teacher, Ken has developed a robust sports medicine program that gives high school students an opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world clinical practice.

Through hands on experiences, students learn clinical skills and gain insight into how an athletic trainer evaluates and treats patients. Ken’s dedication to teaching and mentorship helps students build confidence, discover their interests, and take their first steps toward careers in healthcare.

Ken’s students describe him as an educator who makes learning enjoyable while teaching valuable skills that can make a difference in someone’s life. His commitment to building the program from the ground up and preparing students for the professional healthcare world is a testament to the impact athletic trainers can have both on and off the field. His commitment to education was recognized when Ken was named North Orange County ROP (NOCROP) Teacher of the Year, an honor recognizing excellence in teaching, professionalism, leadership, and going above and beyond the expectations of the role. With more than 100 teachers in the organization, this is an incredible achievement.

Outside of work, Ken enjoys camping, beach days, snowboarding, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Congrats Ken!

08/07/2026

San Luis Ambulance paramedics and EMTs recently participated in a Helmet & Shoulder Pad Removal for the Spine Injured Athlete course led by CATA GAC Matt Quijano.

The course began with a brief lecture covering the tools, techniques, and step by step approach for safely removing the most common football helmets used throughout our region. Participants then transitioned into hands on skill stations, practicing helmet removal, facemask cutting, and shoulder pad removal while discussing the differences between youth, high school, and collegiate equipment and the resources available in each setting.

Collaborative education like this strengthens the partnership between athletic trainers and EMS providers, helping ensure a coordinated response and the highest level of care for spine injured athletes when every second matters.

Note: Participants are dressed in business casual attire, as required by the facility where the course was held.

08/06/2026

Know an athletic trainer who deserves to be recognized for their dedication and impact?

Whether they advocate for the profession, go above and beyond for their patients, mentor future athletic trainers, or make a difference in their community, now is the time to celebrate them!

Nominate yourself or a deserving colleague for CATA Athletic Trainer of the Month by emailing your Region Director. Region Director contact information can be found on the CATA website.

Help us recognize the athletic trainers who continue to elevate our profession and make a lasting impact every day. 💙💛

08/05/2026

Region 2 Athletic Trainer of the Month: Jeff Ward

Jeff Ward serves in both the secondary school setting and independent consulting, working with Marin Health at Napa High School and Pacific Union College. He earned his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, his master’s degree from Saint Mary’s College, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education (EdD) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Throughout his 31 year career, Jeff has worked with Olympic training centers, national teams, and collegiate athletic programs, where he has developed integrated systems that support the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of athletes. His collaborative leadership has helped launch campus wide wellness initiatives, facilitate equity and inclusion efforts, and spearhead mental health education for coaches and staff.

Jeff is a dedicated member of the CATA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and serves on FWATA’s Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Cultural Competence (EDAC) Committee. He is the true embodiment of advocacy and allyship, consistently volunteering his time and expertise while bringing innovative ideas that advance inclusion, health equity, and meaningful change within our profession.

A passionate advocate for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP, formerly Be The Match), Jeff has been instrumental in expanding donor recruitment efforts within the athletic training community. He has been largely responsible for NMDP’s presence at recent CATA Annual Symposiums and the FWATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposium in Kona, creating onsite donor registration opportunities that have expanded the donor pool and raised awareness of the critical need for a diverse marrow donor registry.

Whether mentoring the next generation of athletic trainers, championing athlete wellness, or leading initiatives that prioritize compassionate care and inclusive cultures, Jeff exemplifies servant leadership. His unwavering commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and the advancement of athletic training continues to leave a lasting impact on the profession and the communities he serves.

08/03/2026

Region 4 AT of the month:

Dr. Shane Stecyk, PhD, ATC, CSCS is being nominated for his unwavering commitment to the athletic training profession through his dedication to educating, mentoring, and inspiring future athletic trainers. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in academic leadership, clinical practice, and professional service, leaving a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues.

Dr. Stecyk earned his BS in Athletic Training from Washington State University, followed by his MS and Ph.D. from Ohio University. He served as the Director of the Athletic Training Program at California State University, Northridge, where he was instrumental in preparing the next generation of athletic trainers for successful careers. He is also the founder of the Institute for Performance, Rehabilitation & Wellness, further expanding opportunities to integrate evidence based sports medicine, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.

With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Stecyk has dedicated his career to treating, educating, and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds. As a certified athletic trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and certified golf fitness professional, he brings a wealth of clinical expertise to the classroom, bridging the gap between research and real world practice.

His research focuses on the relationship between psychological and biomechanical factors affecting injury and performance, with notable work in dance science and baseball pitching. His clinical experience spans high school, collegiate, recreational, and professional athletics, as well as the performing arts and runners.

Dr. Stecyk is committed to advancing whole person health through interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, he and his wife have worked towards developing a comprehensive wellness center that integrates sports medicine, rehabilitation, mental health, injury prevention, and performance optimization. This vision reflects his belief that ATs play a vital role in improving both physical and psychological wellbeing.

07/24/2026

The CATA Clinical Symposium Committee is looking for a student member to join. They will help with the program planning and other aspects of the symposium.

Requirements:
NATA Member
Enrolled in an MSAT program

Interested? Please send your resume and coverletter to [email protected] by August 31st.

07/22/2026

Region 5 Athletic Trainer of the Month: Margaret Ha, MS, ATC, PTA!

Margaret has been a certified athletic trainer for 10 years and currently serves at START Physical Therapy, bringing a wealth of experience across clinical, athletic, and international settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of La Verne, a Master of Science in Kinesiology while serving as a Graduate Associate at Cal State Fullerton, and later completed her Physical Therapist Assistant education at Cerritos College.

Throughout her career, Margaret has worked with patients ranging from 7 to 93 years old, finding the greatest reward in helping individuals return to the activities they love. Her diverse experiences include traveling internationally while working with the Guam Football Association and USA Roller Sports.

Margaret is also dedicated to advancing the athletic training profession. She has served as a preceptor for Azusa Pacific University and Cal State Fullerton, mentoring future athletic trainers, and has presented her research on return to learn after concussion at both regional and national conferences. Outside of work, Margaret enjoys traveling abroad, exploring the outdoors, and discovering new restaurants.

Address

100 The City Drive
Orange, CA
92868-3204

Website

http://www.ca-at.org/

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