03/26/2026
Celebrating National Athletic Training Month! Meet Kaiea Vera 🌟
Growing up in Hawaii, Kaiea was surrounded by a strong sense of community and a culture centered on helping others. Wanting to positively impact their hometown while pursuing higher education, he found his path in athletic training—earning both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees despite the barriers many Native Hawaiians face in accessing higher education.
Their favorite part of the job? Seeing people return to doing what they love after going through rehabilitation together. Nothing brings Kaiea more joy than watching others recover, succeed, and truly thrive.
A common misconception? That athletic trainers are simply personal trainers or coaches. In reality, ATCs provide essential healthcare services across many settings—from athletics and entertainment to outpatient clinics, operating rooms, and emergency departments. Their skills go far beyond exercise and manual therapy.
For Kaiea, athletic training is more than a profession—it’s a way to give back, support others, and help communities stay active and healthy. 💙
