March 9, 2026
DAT Life Moments | Laramie G.
Being a student in the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program at A.T. Still University (ATSU) is both really difficult and really fulfilling at the same time. You have to carve your schedule into pieces to be a successful employee, a successful person outside of work, and a successful student. I think that is really rewarding and also teaches you a second skill outside of what you're already learning in the classroom and in your job. Time management is a super important skill for everyone in this field.
In my classes right now, I'm learning a lot about implementing programs to better my current place of work and to advance the profession as a whole. I think a lot of what I've taken away from the classes in the DAT program is how I can provide the best possible healthcare to the patients under my care, and also how to take care of myself and separate myself from being an athletic trainer 24/7.
I'm looking forward to taking the Applied Research Project (ARP) research classes and developing a program to implement in my own workplace. I plan to follow it throughout the ARP process in hopes of improving healthcare for the patients I work with in an underserved community and seeing how I can make a difference in the small corner of the world where I work.
I definitely take things from my classes and implement them as best as I can into my workflow. After talking with everyone at the Winter Institute, which is a phenomenal class and seminar put on by our lovely faculty and guest faculty, I am excited to see what I can change with the resources that I have and don't have.
The future of athletic training is bright, and we have all of the tools in front of us to guide future professionals.