Keith Shireman leads the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association and is working on retention

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What is your AT Story?

I learned about AT from a colleague and started noticing motocross needed help.

Graduated in 1995 through the internship route

I became friends with Lorner Strong and she mentored me through the process

My work has all been in the secondary school setting except for the side hustle working with motocross

3rd year at Cabot

I was at Bentonville High School for 15 years

In Arkansas, your certification qualifies you for licensure.  There is a very small licensing fee.

You need a physician statement signing off that you have a license.

The AR practice act has not changed since its inception in 1995.  We have met resistance to change from other organizations on changing it.

The PT board helped and mentored until ATs got their board established.

This created a difficult situation with somewhat a conflict of interest where the PT board was preventing the AT board from advancing the practice of ATs.

We had an officer pass away from heat exhaustion at the fire academy and they did not have anyone helping regulate their heat illness  

Border states can be a bargaining chip for getting legislature passed.

Last year we had 14 MAT students graduate and leave AR and one stay.

The population of ATs – 300+

Lots of places to go hiking, mountains, trails outdoors, beautiful seasons, mountain bike trails.

What is a big challenge for Athletic Trainers in Arkansas?

Practice act is one.

Teacher pay was changed to the learns act

So everyone was put on the same pay scale.

We are meeting with the AT students to encourage them to stay in Arkansas and what are their sticking points.

You're recruiting ATs to work in your state…what is your sales pitch?

Lots of places to go hiking, mountains, trails outdoors, beautiful seasons, and mountain bike trails.

Contact Us:

Keith Shireman

Jeremy Jackson

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