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.

10/20/2026

Region 4 Athletic Trainer of the Month: Vicki Lim!

With 29 years of experience, Vicki Lim is a dedicated athletic trainer with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and a proud San Diego State University graduate. Since 2005, she has served as the athletic trainer at Banning High School, making a lasting impact on the health, safety, and well being of student athletes. Vicki loves working with hardworking athletes who push themselves to be their best and is committed to supporting them every step of the way. As a one person medical team, she manages a wide range of responsibilities, from triage and emergency care to rehabilitation and concussion management, often handling multiple needs simultaneously. Beyond her daily responsibilities, Vicki is passionate about advocating for the athletic training profession and increasing awareness of the unique and vital role athletic trainers play in protecting athlete health and safety.

10/07/2026

Join or renew NATA now and get membership through December 31, 2027—including the remainder of 2026 + all of 2027 at a significantly reduced rate.

🔘 Why join?

• 150+ CE courses & up to 200 CEUs included
• Advocacy that supports and protects athletic training
• Networking, mentorship & professional community
• Career resources, job postings & salary data
• State + district membership included

🔘 Flexible payment options are available, including installments and auto-renewal.

🔘 Early Career ATs: The Career Starter Discount offers 50% off year one, 35% off year two and 15% off year three of certification.

And for our California ATs, CATA CHAMP is here to help! Get support, resources and opportunities to help you thrive in your career. Check out ca-at.org/CHAMP

10/06/2026

🎙️ SPECIAL RELEASE EPISODE

wrapituppodcast host Eli Hallak sits down with Aaron Strout, Head Athletic Trainer at Colony High School, to discuss the ongoing fight to protect the Athletic Training profession in California.

Aaron shares how certified Athletic Trainers in his district had their job titles changed to “Athletic Support Specialist” after raising concerns about compliance with California’s title protection law — and why this goes far beyond a job title. It’s about professional recognition, appropriate qualifications, and ultimately the healthcare provided to student-athletes.

Aaron also highlights the support of the California Athletic Trainers’ Association and the responsibility Athletic Trainers have to advocate for the profession and the athletes we serve.

AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION AROUND 27:00.

“What does the NATA do for me? The NATA is a national governing board. They are doing what they do nationally. When it comes to the individual state, that goes on us. We are the gatekeeper.”

“We are the ones that have to protect…”

That means educating legislators. Educating school boards. Educating parents. Educating our communities.

Because if people don’t understand what Athletic Trainers do, they can’t understand what is at stake.

“If we don’t educate, nobody’s going to change their mind.”

That responsibility belongs to all of us.

We cannot expect someone else to protect our profession. We have to know our value, understand the laws that protect our profession, speak up when those protections are challenged, and make sure the people making decisions understand the difference between Athletic Training and simply providing athletic support.

The work is bigger than a title.

It’s about protecting qualified healthcare professionals and the athletes who depend on them.

09/24/2026

The CATA extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and the entire San Diego Section community following the passing of CIF San Diego Section Commissioner Joe Heinz.

Joe Heinz dedicated his career to athletics and to the students and communities of San Diego. As a former student athlete, educator, athletics administrator, and ultimately Commissioner of the CIF San Diego Section, he understood that high school sports are about far more than competition. They are about providing young people with opportunities to learn, grow, belong, and thrive.

Heinz recognized that protecting student athletes requires collaboration among athletic trainers, physicians, coaches, administrators, families, and governing organizations. His leadership came during an especially challenging period, including the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, when difficult decisions had to be made in the interest of students and schools.

That commitment to the whole student athlete remained evident throughout his leadership. Earlier this year, Heinz spoke about the importance of supporting student athlete mental health and creating safe, inclusive, and supportive athletic environments.

The athletic training profession is grateful for leaders who recognize that student athlete safety cannot be separated from the educational mission of high school athletics. The work of athletic trainers, and the decisions made by those who lead education based athletics, ultimately share the same purpose: giving students the opportunity to participate safely and meaningfully in the sports they love.

Joe Heinz leaves behind a significant legacy in San Diego high school athletics. His impact will live on through the students, coaches, athletic trainers, administrators, and communities he served.

The CATA stands with our colleagues throughout the San Diego Section during this difficult time and extends our sincere condolences to Joe’s family and loved ones.

Thank you, Joe, for your service to San Diego’s student athletes and athletics.

09/16/2026

CATA has been working alongside the athletic trainers directly impacted by this issue for some time and we will continue to stand with them. We are committed to advocating for the protections and recognition our profession deserves. We hope this development serves as another step forward in the ongoing fight for meaningful regulation and accountability.

09/15/2026

Region 4 Athletic Trainer of the Month

Oscar Rinon, ATC

College – Recreation & Club Sports | UCLA

Oscar Rinon, ATC, exemplifies the expanding role and impact of athletic trainers within collegiate recreation and club sports. As the Director of Athletic Training Services for UCLA Recreation and Club Sports, Oscar has spent more than a decade building and leading comprehensive sports medicine services for one of the nation’s largest and most diverse collegiate recreation communities.

With 12 years as a certified athletic trainer and more than 11 years at UCLA, Oscar oversees injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and health care services for UCLA’s extensive recreational and club sports programs. His leadership helps ensure that students participating in recreational athletics have access to high quality athletic training care and the resources they need to participate safely and successfully.

The scope of Oscar’s work is impressive. He provides clinical leadership for 15 core intramural sports programs serving more than 5,000 unique participants and approximately 7,000–8,000 annual event enrollments throughout the academic year. In addition, UCLA Recreation supports 54 club teams and approximately 2,700 club athletes. Oscar’s leadership helps meet the unique sports medicine needs of this large and diverse population while promoting injury prevention and student wellness.

Oscar is also committed to building awareness of the athletic training services available to UCLA’s recreation and club sports community. Together with Lead Athletic Trainer Emily Watt, he helps provide a dedicated full time athletic training presence for students who might otherwise have limited access to sports medicine resources.

Oscar joined UCLA Recreation in 2015 after earning his undergraduate education in athletic training at California State University, Northridge. He later earned a master’s degree in Exercise Science from PennWest California. His professional growth at UCLA reflects his dedication to advancing athletic training services and creating sustainable health care resources within collegiate recreation.

09/10/2026

Region 2 Athletic Trainer of the Month

Stephen Bartlinski

NCAA Division I | San José State University

With more than 20 years as a certified athletic trainer, Stephen Bartlinski represents the experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence that define the athletic training profession. Today, as part of the San José State University athletics staff, Stephen continues to go above and beyond in providing exceptional care and support to student athletes while setting a high standard for athletic training services on campus.

Stephen’s connection to San José State runs deep. After graduating from Ithaca College, he completed the San José State athletic training program and has called it home since moving to California in 1994. Returning to SJSU athletics allowed him to bring his extensive experience full circle and serve the university and student athletes he cares deeply about.

Stephen previously spent 11 seasons as the head football AT at Stanford University. During his time there, he developed a reputation as one of the nation’s leading athletic trainers. He was named Stanford Football Man of the Year in 2008 and was frequently invited to share his expertise at national and international conferences, including presentations on concussion management and sports medicine.

His professional experience is extensive. Stephen previously served as the head athletic trainer for the San Jose SaberCats from 1997–2006 and has worked in physical therapy and sports medicine settings throughout the Bay Area. He also spent time in the private sector leading the PROTEK sports bracing line for Thuasne USA.

Throughout his career, Stephen has contributed to research and education within the profession. He co-authored a chapter on spine and cervical spine injuries in The Sports Medicine Field Guide and collaborated with Stanford physicians on research examining acromioclavicular joint injuries in NCAA football. He has also supported athletic training services at major sporting events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics, 2016 Super Bowl, USA Track and Field Junior National Championships, East-West Shrine Game, and numerous other local, national, and international events.

09/08/2026

Region 1 Athletic Trainer of the Month

Valentina Haggard, MA, ATC, CEAS, CEIS II

Industrial Athletic Training | ATI Worksite Solutions

Valentina exemplifies the impact athletic trainers can have beyond the traditional clinical and sports settings. As an on site early intervention specialist with ATI Worksite Solutions, Valentina provides injury prevention, evaluation, and care for more than 700 union employees working in a 24/7 industrial operation. Her role extends well beyond injury care. She supports OSHA compliance, injury investigations, ergonomics, employee education, wellness initiatives, and injury management. She works closely with management, union representatives, and medical teams to coordinate return to work programs, address workplace safety concerns, and promote the overall health and wellbeing of employees. Her efforts help reduce workers’ compensation claims while enhancing access to timely, quality health services in the workplace.

Valentina is also a passionate advocate for the profession and an educator to the next generation of ATs. She regularly hosts athletic training students from the University of the Pacific at her worksite. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Valentina serves as Vice Chair of the CATA COPA Committee, where she helps educate and advocate for the role of athletic trainers in industrial settings. Her leadership and willingness to share her expertise have helped increase awareness of this growing area of practice among athletic trainers and the broader profession.

Tina is highly respected by her clients, colleagues, students, and fellow athletic trainers. Her commitment to employee health, injury prevention, education, advocacy, and professional service demonstrates the breadth and value of athletic training. Her contributions have been recognized previously with the 2022 CATA Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, and she continues to raise the bar for excellence in industrial athletic training.

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!

Address

100 The City Drive
Orange, CA
92868-3204

Website

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

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