Athletic Therapy Ontario® is an OATA Registered Trade Name
Members
Ontario’s Athletic Therapists have a true professional home with the OATA. Since the founding of the Athletic Therapy profession in Canada, the Ontario Association and its AT leaders have been a strong voice and tenacious source of advocacy advancing the profession and its Members.
Ontario’s AT were instrumental in the formation of the national organization and its development of professional certification and academic programs.
Membership in the OATA offers new and returning Members and exceptional history of advocacy and a remarkable peer network. Student Members and Candidates for certification find exceptional role models and potential mentors. The OATA welcomes Members to a vibrant Athletic Therapy community.
Member Benefits
Member benefits and services are top-of-mind to building value and relevance to Members and their practice. Benefits include:
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Discounted Group Malpractice Insurance developed specifically for Ontario ATs as part of the Association’s covid-19 pandemic survival and accommodation including no additional charges for the numerous modalities that are part of most practitioners including extra certifications in physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, first responder as well as (insert some specific points from Hib/Trisura materials);
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Job Bank with regular career and recruitment opportunities for Members at all levels of practice from recent grads to seasoned pros;
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Professional events and networking;
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Discounted access to key sport medicine journals;
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E-Learning, online AT academy offering free and discounted professional development courses from some of the best organizations within sport therapy;
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Virtual Quick Chat sessions to engage with ATs working in the NHL, CFL, NBA, Olympics & Paralympics;
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Access to sport therapy news through OATAs podcasts and demos from leading vendors & suppliers
Member Services
Critical Incident Stress Management for Athletic Therapists
Athletic Therapists are sport medicine first responders and while involved in field play and other point of injury care can be subjected to traumatic injury situations. The OATAs Critical Incident Stress Management program was launched thanks to the leadership of Drew Laskoski and Dr. France Flint in fiscal 2015-2016. The OATA Board supported investing in training and development of a CISM support team. The AT-911 CISM team has been led by Dr. Frances Flint, since its inception, with a cadre of OATA-sponsored trained colleagues offer peer support with experienced AT colleagues.
This CISM program is a first within the AT profession in Canada. The mission of the OATA Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Peer Support Program is to provide education, support, and assistance to Members for incidental or cumulative critical incident stress experienced in the performance of their jobs and/or in the event emergency care situations. The CISM was well-received by ATs during incidents such as the 2018 Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus crash and the death of 24-year old Athletic Therapist Dayna Brons.
Member Engagement
With pandemic restrictions and lockdowns now behind us, in-person events as well as virtual sessions return to the OATA’s annual calendar.
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Working Groups with AT colleagues with monthly meeting on Concussions, Marketing Communications, with Clinic Owners seeking and sharing best practices.
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Access to experts through Knowledge Café sessions and business practice advisors such as the BDO.
Member Milestones
In 2023, the OATA is launching a spotlight tribute to Members who have achieved 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years of membership and practice milestones.
Data may show a Pandemic Baby Boom at least for Athletic Therapists as many Members used the covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns as a time to start or add to their families. The OATA shared in these joyful Member Milestones with a ATs Are Family Makers salute to the 20 AT offspring.
Members' Awards & Recognition
The OATA is approaching 50 years since inception and 30 years since incorporation as an Ontario not-for-profit corporation. There is a proud history of exceptional At leadership the Association is pleased to recognize through different awards.
SAFE SPORT JESSICA DALLIDAY AWARD
The OATA commitment to Safe Sport dates back to 2021, advanced by its 2022 Safe Sport Summit and the mandatory requirement for ATs to renew for their 2023 membership with a completed Safe Sport training certificate. Nominations for the 2023 Award are being announced in conjunction with Mother’s Day, again in honour of Jessica and her remaining family, daughter Rachel and husband Mike. Mike Dalliday has agreed to serve in promoting the Award and will serve on the Safe Sport Award Nominations Working Group and the nominations selection committee reviewing the annual nominations.
CHECK THE SAFE SPORT AWARD BROCHURE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please complete form and send it by email to info@ontarioathletictherapists.com
INSPIRE AWARD
The OATA INSPIRE Award was created to pay tribute to ATs in the prime of their career who have clearly made and continue to make a significant contribution to “raising the AT profession up” to new heights and to new standards by their energy, drive, skills and leadership.
2021
2022
TRILLIUM AWARD
The OATA Trillium Award is presented to Athletic Therapists distinguished by their exceptional contribution to and advancement of the Athletic Therapy profession in Ontario. Let's pay tribute to these trailblazers!!
FOUNDERS' AWARD
The OATA created this special Award to acknowledge the profession's pathfinders in this province. These individuals were the founders of the Association and forged the foundational blocks that continue to support the advancement of Ontario Athletic Therapists and the AT profession in Ontario.
