
The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program in the Doisy College of Health Sciences is a graduate professional program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
December 23, 2008
Happy Holidays from the SLU ATEP!!!

December 19, 2008
Darcy Downey Interviewed in University News
By: Laura Casey
Posted: 11/20/08
Sometimes, ankle wrapping and ice packs just don't do the trick. When it comes to this, Saint Louis University (athletic) trainers turn to alternative approaches to treating a wide range of sports injuries.With a common goal of alleviating pain, techniques such as chiropractics, acupuncture, massage therapy, laser therapy, "rolfing" and light therapy are methods that make up these alternative approaches.Unfortunately, every injury is unique.
There is no one, universal algorithm applicable to every case."You have to look at treatment options on an individual basis," Miya Sullivan, SLU's assistant athletic trainer, said. "Of course, we want to try and use all of the services we have at SLU, but if that doesn't work, I would be open to trying alternative approaches."
Darcy Downey, clinical coordinator for athletic training education, reiterated this sentiment."It's definitely something to look at if 'regular' measures aren't working," she said.Regardless of the effectiveness of these so-called "regular" measures, alternative treatments are becoming a more standard method of therapy.
According to an article on Managedhealthcareexecutive.com, more than 36 percent of adults over the age 18 have sought some type of alternative treatment.Because of their cheaper prices, alternative treatments are becoming more popular. The same online article said that 60 percent of healthcare companies have jumped on board to this trend.
One of the therapies that SLU (athletic) trainers are currently using is laser light therapy. Sullivan explained how she has been having good success with an alternative treatment called "light therapy" on some athletes. This is the same therapy that Lance Armstrong and his teammates made use of during the Tour de France.
Downey said that many of these alternative treatments could be effective. She emphasized a technique called "rolfing," a structural integration technique featured on Oprah. Rolfing is similar to a deep tissue massage, except it uses a whole-body approach. It is a series of 10 sessions designed to realign the body's structure to reduce pain. She said SLU doesn't use this approach too often. At the University of Texas (where she used to work), however, the rolfing technique was used frequenly.
Along with physical measures, Downey also emphasized looking at nutritional aspects, as they can have a huge effect on healing. Freshman Nicole Kent, a member of SLU's field hockey team, said that each team works with a dietician who outlines what they should and shouldn't be eating. Athletes are educated on what the makeup of the food they each should look like and encouraged to be conscious of how it affects them. While they are not required to take dietary supplements, Kent said that some men's teams are required to take a protein supplement called "Muscle Milk" after workouts.So, why are these approaches labeled as alternative or unconventional?
Many of these methods are based off of unscientific methods, principles and knowledge. Many of them also lack a scientific model for experimentation. Some people, including Sullivan, say they think that the power of the mind may play a part in the results of these treatments. The power of the mind can affect the healing process.
Whether or not skeptics agree, the effectiveness of these measures is incontrovertible.
"They definitely have a place," Downey said.
© Copyright 2008 St. Louis University News
December 17, 2008
Getting going on the right foot!!!!
Making an impression of a foot. What a plantar-flexed first ray!
Preparing the plaster cast of the foot for production of an orthotic.

Checking out the large production facility.
December 01, 2008
U101 wraps with some food and fun

- Getting connected to the SLU community: Involvement on campus
- All about SLU: Learning about campus resources
- Decision Making in College: Issues for college students
- Time management: Achieving your goals
- Academic Success: Tips for in and out of the classroom
- Diversity: Exposure and understanding
- Career preparation: Values as they relate to your choices
- The Jesuit mission: Core values
The class also had a field trip to Rams Park and did a med campus scavenger hunt.
Good stuff from the NATA

Salary Survey Shows Pay Scale on the Rise
November 23, 2008
Big Weekend for the Billikens
Its been a fun weekend on campus!

Saturday afternoon, the Men's Basketball team knocked off Boston College at a rocking, nearly sold out, Chaifetz Arena. Athletic trainer Jonathan Burch was kept busy, especially when Kevin Lisch took a shot to the nose and came back to lead the team to victory!


Last, but not least, SLU hosted the A-10 volleyball championship. The 21st ranked Billikens swept its way to victory over Xavier and Dayton! Best of luck to them and athletic trainer Theresa Hummel as they move on to the NCAA tournament.

November 08, 2008
Its 1:45 am and the Hockey Bills just beat Mizzou 4-2


November 06, 2008
AAOS posts article on Athletic Trainers as Physician Extenders

November 05, 2008
SLU Volleyball Lead Story on ESPNU website

Chaifetz Arena Profiled in the Post-Dispatch
October 27, 2008
Football Field Trip

October 19, 2008
ESPN Outside the Lines Video Regarding Athletic Trainers


For 16-year-old Jaquan Waller, his passion for football ended in tragedy last month. After just two carries in a high school football game, the junior running back from Greenville, North Carolina collapsed on the sideline and was declared brain dead the following morning. This after being cleared to play following a head injury in practice two days prior. Waller died from complications of second impact syndrome (SIS), when a second concussion occurs before the first one has completely healed. Sunday on Outside the Lines, David Amber examines the need for Certified Athletic Trainers to protect high school football players.
October 17, 2008
SLU Hydrotherapy pool featured on Grimm website
October 15, 2008
Post-Dispatch appearance

Wednesday, Oct. 15 2008
October 07, 2008
Welcome to the team!


October 03, 2008
Program Advisory Board has first meeting



Dr. Scott Kaar, Saint Louis University Orthopedics
Aaron McBride, Pioneer Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Dr. Paul Nativi, Saint Louis University Team Dentist
Laura O’Connor, Heritage Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Fred Shinn, Monroe County Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Dr. Tyler Wadsworth, SLU Primary Care Physician
Dr. Mike Cannon, ATEP Medical Director
Darcy Downey, ATEP Clinical Coordinator
October 02, 2008
Eating Saint Louis Event

September 24, 2008
A fresh non-traditional perspective!

Upon being asked the question in high school, "where do you want to go to college?", I had to find an answer. At first I took the route of wanting to please the wrong people (ehem, Dad) and decided to take on the position of an architect. It didn't take long to realize this answer wasn't going to exactly allow my life to pan out the way I wanted.
September 15, 2008
Talk a Walk Around the Med Campus
Hopefully their experience will help you get to know us better.
Make sure you take a map! MEDICAL CENTER MAP
There is also a video tour! MEDICAL CENTER VIDEO TOUR
Our tour starts at the Crave Coffeehouse, where we grab a latte for extra energy.
Then we start, of course, at the Athletic Training Education Program offices!
A quick check of our e-mail at the computer lab!
Then its off to the Center for Advanced Dental Education. Look at those great smiles!
We grab a breather along the babbling brook adjacent to the sparkling new Doisy Research Building.
We meet with our academic advisor on the 4th floor of the Nursing Building.
Then off to the Medical Bookstore to grab a clicker.
Then grab some resources at the Health Sciences/Medical Center Library.
All this activity worked up a hearty appetite, so we grab a nutritious lunch at Fresh Gatherings Cafe.
Then its back to our residence hall in the timely and convenient shuttle.
Thanks for joining us....come back and visit soon!
September 03, 2008
Congrats to Aimee!

August 28, 2008
Welcome Home!
Nick Giovannetti, Angela DeLaria & Alyson Dykes
August 21, 2008
Countdown to kickoff
August 20, 2008
Saint Louis University Climbs in U.S. News & World Report 'Best Colleges' Rankings
ST. LOUIS -- U.S. News & World Report once again has recognized Saint Louis University as one of the finest Jesuit, Catholic universities in the United States.
In the 2009 edition of "America's Best Colleges," SLU climbed to No. 80 among the more than 250 national universities in the country -- a list topped by Harvard, Princeton and Yale. The ranking placed SLU among the top five Jesuit universities in the country for the sixth consecutive year.
"With an exceptional combination of Jesuit values, challenging academics and groundbreaking research, it's no surprise that Saint Louis University continues to attract such national attention," said University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
SLU's undergraduate programs continue to earn national recognition.
Individual programs also made this year's rankings. The University's undergraduate engineering programs -- offered through SLU's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology -- were named among the top 40 in the nation. Additional rankings for SLU are expected to be included in extended rankings scheduled to be released online tomorrow. The U.S. News rankings come on the heels of another national honor for SLU's undergraduate programs.
In July, The Princeton Review, a New York-based education services company, recognized SLU as one of the best schools in the country for undergraduate education. Only about 15 percent of America's 2,500 four-year colleges made the 2009 edition of "The Best 368 Colleges."
The top rankings for SLU don't end at the undergraduate level. Earlier this year, U.S. News named SLU's health law program the best in the nation for the fifth year in a row. In its "Best Graduate Schools 2009" issue, the magazine also gave high marks to numerous other graduate programs, including geriatrics, part-time MBA, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
SLU also is recognized as one of the nation's leading education values. Both Barron's Best Buys in College Education and Consumers Digest have recognized SLU as a best buy in higher education. The University strives to keep its nationally recognized education affordable, which is why 97 percent of freshmen receive scholarships.
The U.S. News and Princeton Review rankings come at an exciting time at SLU. This year, the University has enrolled one of its biggest and brightest freshman classes in history, drawing students from all 50 states and more than 80 foreign countries.
This spring, SLU opened the $81 million Chaifetz Arena on campus. This 10,600-seat, multipurpose arena offers the Billikens a true home court advantage and provides a world-class venue for top-notch concerts. The University also recently completed another historic building project: the Edward A. Doisy Research Center. This $82 million, state-of-the-art facility is helping SLU's world-renowned scientists further research discoveries in key areas, such as cancer and aging.
Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,300 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University has provided one-of-a-kind education, leadership and service for 190 years.
August 12, 2008
A "Grand Connection" with Billiken Athletics

The SLU magazine "Grand Connections" ran a nice article on the academic/athletics collaboration in its July edition. We have also placed the article on the at.slu.edu website.
Read it here:
http://www.slu.edu/Documents/doisy/ATGrandConnectionsarticle.pdf
Our partnership is also evident by the SLU athletes that have chosen Athletic Training as their major:
Lindsay Ciresa, Freshman. Softball
Mallory Dugger, Freshman, Women's Track & Field
Ashley Gaillot, Freshman, Volleyball
J.J. Hannigan, Sophomore, Men's Track & Field
Evan Johnson, Freshman, Men's Soccer
Heather King, Senior, Women's Basketball
Colleen Kustura, Freshman, Women's Soccer
Zach Miller, Freshman, Baseball
Keri O'Keefe, Sophomore, Softball
Cody Stites, Sophomore, Baseball
Caitlin Werkmeister, Sophomore, Women's Soccer
Best of luck to them as they start fall practices!
August 05, 2008
On TV about practice in the heat...

He was interviewed by Art Holliday about the dangers of practice in the heat during 2-a-days.
See it here:
http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=151501&catid=3