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The FWATA Public Relations Committee Social Media team is highlighting members of District 8 each month.  This month we highlight Hawaii State Representative; Louise Inafuku

District 8 Monthly Member Highlight: Louise Inafuku MS, ATC, RD
Current Position: Athletic Trainer, Iolani School
Current FWATA Title: Hawaii State Representative

What first made you choose athletic training? What inspired you to become an athletic trainer?

I have been an athlete my whole life and have rarely gotten injured. So it came as a shock to me freshmen year in high school when my athletic trainer told me I couldn’t participate in that weeks track meet because of an ankle sprain. “can’t you just fix it”, I asked naively. The answer of course was no, and this piqued my interest into human anatomy and physiology. I was interested in knowing how the body functioned and worked to repair itself. I aslo wanted to help others to stay active throughout their life while staying relative injury-free.

How did you first get involved in FWATA?

I am a HATA Past-President so it was a natural step into the Hawaii State Representative position. Being so remote, it is often difficult to justify a trip during the busy athletic season to make it to District Conferences. However during my presidency I was fortunate enough to make the trip and also privy to attend the FWATA Board Meetings. Sitting in on those meetings truly opened up my eyes into how the association worked and gave me a sense of ownership of FWATA and HATA. This inspired me to change some of the structuring of HATA and make it more organized and efficient.

What advice would you give to AT students?

Get involved in a committee. It doesn’t matter what committee it is because you never know what you will be able to learn from being involved in that particular committee. Just come with an open mind and speak up; your opinion counts.

What are you most proud of when you look back on your career? Or what is your most memorable moment in the profession?

Saving lives. I am proud to be part of a profession that teaches not only advanced lifesaving skills, but the confidence to know that if we do not act accordingly, that person could suffer devastating consequences.

What are you looking forward to most as our profession continues to grow and develop?

Public recognition. Having the lay person refer to us as ATHLETIC trainers and understand that we are medical professionals educated in the recognition, prevention and rehabilitation of acute and chronic injuries and not there to get someone physically fit or to lose weight.

 

Courtesy of the Public Relations Committee