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The FWATA Public Relations Committee Social Media team is highlighting members of District 8 each month.  This month we highlight NevATA President; Mark D’Anza

District 8 Monthly Member Highlight: Mark D’Anza ATC
Current Position: Head Athletic Trainer, Durango High School
Current FWATA Title: NevATA President

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

I realized early on I liked helping people. My science classes also seemed to come easiest to me when in school. Having participated in athletics pretty much my whole life the field of athletic training became very desirable to me as it puts all of these different aspects of my life together in one package.

How did you first get involved in FWATA?

I have attended annual meetings in the past, but my actual involvement in FWATA began in 2013 when Nevada’s representative at the time and current FWATA Treasurer Todd Hamburg asked if I would accept a nomination to run for President in Nevada. I was scheduled to take the reins from Todd at FWATA in Kona, but when Todd became the FWATA treasurer this past January, I officially became the representative for Nevada to FWATA. In the short time I have been working with the rest of the managing board, I have learned how important it is to become active in the profession. I have met some amazing people and continue learning what it really means to be an athletic trainer.

What advice would you give to AT students?

Get over yourself. You may be asked to work something that does not seem glamorous, get over it. You can gain experience working with any athlete at any level and you should never think you are too big to represent your profession to someone that needs your expertise.

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

As much fun as I have had working exciting events, I am most proud of the students I have helped along the way. UNLV took me in as a preceptor while I was working as an athletic trainer at a high school in Las Vegas. I did not realize how much I would enjoy teaching until I actually did it. Seeing the light bulb go off in someone’s head became something I really enjoyed seeing and has spawned a second career of sorts as I teach now in addition to acting as an athletic trainer. I really saw the impact one person can have when I had 5 of my former students working alongside me as colleagues in other high schools in Las Vegas. Seeing my students develop and move forward with their careers has by far been the most rewarding thing I have accomplished.

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

I always look forward to seeing how technology can assist our physical skills to improve the overall care of our athletes.

 

Courtesy of the Public Relations Committee