WELCOME
WELCOME
A Message from PFATS President Kyle Johnston
Originally formed over six decades ago, a group of Certified Athletic Trainers, known as the National Football League Athletic Trainers Society (NFLATS), came together to share their knowledge of injury identification, treatment and rehabilitation. In 1982 the name was changed to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). PFATS is dedicated to providing 1st class health care for our players, supporting the welfare of our members, and committed to the promotion and advancement of athletic training through education and research.
The Society has a diverse membership that consists of just over two hundred members. Comprised primarily of Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC), many of our members have advanced degrees, specialty certifications, and dual credentials.
Since PFATS’ inception in 1982, our members have seen change and evolution not only in the sport of Football, but also in the Health Care that is provided. Just as we have over the last several decades, we continue to champion initiatives, research, and programs to ensure we evolve with these changes and are providing the highest quality care to those we are called to serve. We work closely with the NFL Physician Society (NFLPS), National Football League (NFL), the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and collaborate with various other health care industries and professional societies in the spirit of improving Player Health and Safety. Many of our members serve in leadership positions on various medical committees and tasks forces within the NFL and Sports Medicine industry to help drive our mission to “make a difference”.
Giving back to the profession of Athletic Training, along with an overall desire for philanthropy, is at the heart of PFATS working to make a difference. In conjunction with the NFL Foundation, PFATS awards 32 Ethnic Minority scholarships and 32 Female Athletic training scholarships annually. PFATS and the PFATS Foundation also sponsor several other community and Athletic Training endeavors that aim to make a lasting impact for generations to come.
The PFATS website provides a resource for those looking for information about our profession, our society, our members, scholarship programs, internship opportunities, educational seminars, and our charitable involvement in our communities and within the Athletic Training profession. We will utilize the website to provide our profession and members with important information and updates. Finally, we thank our Founding Partner Gatorade, along with so many other partners and vendors who share our same passion and mission… “PFATS cares to make a difference.”
Kyle Johnston, ATC, LAT
PFATS President
Vice President, Sports Medicine and Performance/Head Athletic Trainer
Miami Dolphins
OUR MISSION
The Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) is a Professional Association representing the athletic trainers of the National Football League. We serve the players of the NFL, the member Clubs, and other members of the community. Our purpose is to ensure the highest quality of health care is provided to the National Football League. We are dedicated to the welfare of our members and committed to the promotion and advancement of athletic training through education and research. The Society is founded on the professional integrity and the ethical standards of our members and the fellowship that exists among us.
"PFATS cares to make a difference"
OUR HISTORY
In the early 1960's, a small group of NFL athletic trainers saw an opportunity to share knowledge and techniques on injury prevention and rehabilitation while attending the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium. In subsequent years they formed initially as the National Football League Athletic Trainers Society (NFLATS). In 1982, NFLATS was officially renamed to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). PFATS adopted a comprehensive constitution and has since grown to a membership of over 158 NFL athletic trainers nationwide. Today, membership is limited to those professionally certified in accordance with the most current NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement and who are employed full-time as athletic trainers by any of the 32 NFL franchises.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Voted on by membership, the PFATS Executive Committee acts in the best interest of all members by providing organizational direction, fulfilling the strategic planning goals and executing decision-making according to the mission, vision and values of PFATS.
OUR PARTNERS
Our PFATS Partners are at the core of our organization. We value our relationships and collaboration to provide our membership with the most up-to-date technology and resources to advance our profession.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
PFATS is proud to have strategic alliances with important organizations in the sports medicine industry such as the NFL, NFLPS, NATA, GSSI, USA Football and the Korey Stringer Institute. These alliances allow us to reach a broader audience and achieve success by learning from each other.
