This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University
Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their
clinical instructor. The number, quality and diversity of clinical
instruction is a major asset for the SLU AT education program.
Rick Larsen ATC serves as the primary approved clinical instructor for three SLU AT students with the football team at Washington University in St. Louis. They are J.J. Hannigan (MAT Class of 2012), Janese Evans (MAT Class of 2013) and Katie Herington (MAT Class of 2013).
Washington University Football
By: Katie
Mae Herington (MAT Class of 2013)
I
have spent my first clinical experience at Washington University in St. Louis
working primarily with Rick Larsen. I’ve also gotten to work with Jim
Anderson, Kelly Lawson, and Kellie Black. It has been a great experience
so far. Each athletic trainer has had different experiences, so it’s nice
to have different opinions on certain treatments, taping techniques, and other
things pertaining to athletic training. I’ve been working specifically
with the football team, so I’ve gotten to see a wide variety of injuries. We’ve
had multiple ACL tears, a tibial plateau fracture, an elbow hyperextension,
torn ligaments in hands, as well as multiple other fractures, dislocations, and
contusions. As a first clinical experience I feel like I’ve been exposed
to a wide variety of injuries, and now have a better idea how to handle
them.
Working
with Rick has been a very educational experience. He has very high
expectations for all of his athletic training students and will hold them up to
a high standard of performance everyday. One education tool he has used
with us has been assigning each student a certain injury to follow. After
filling out a SOAP note on our assigned athlete we present our information to
Rick and the other athletic training students. After presenting, there
will be follow-up questions from Rick and our peers, and then we’ll discuss
things we should’ve considered including in our report and what we could’ve
done different. I like these assignments because they allow us to practice
skills we need to be competent at as ATCs.
Overall
this experience has been extremely enlightening. Not only have I improved
my taping skills drastically, I’ve learned new techniques, learned extensive
wound care, practiced different modalities, covered multiple competencies, and
discussed and treated many different injuries. Working with Rick has
been a great experience. He often shares stories from his 30 years as an
ATC, which are extremely beneficial considering Rick’s extensive career and all
of his unique experiences.
I
enjoy working at Washington University, and I can’t wait to see what else I
learn in this clinical rotation.
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Rick Larsen ATC (second from left) with SLU AT student JJ Hannigan, Katie Herington and Janese Evans (left to right) |
Washington University Football
By: Janese Evans (MAT Class of 2013)
I am currently doing my first clinical rotation at
Washington University in St. Louis working with the football team under Head
Athletic Trainer, Rick Larsen. I have the opportunity to work with three other
SLU students: JJ Hannigan, Katie Herington, and Katie Schneebeck. So far my experience at Wash
U has been incredible. I’ve learned so many new things, witnessed quite a few
injuries, and built great relationships with my ACI, the other SLU students,
the other Wash U Athletic Trainers, the football coaches, and most importantly
with the football players. Rick Larsen is extremely knowledgeable and has so
much experience and advice to offer. Larsen is always trying to get us to think
critically and is constantly pushing myself and the other AT students to take
advantage of these opportunities that we have. Larsen encourages us to think
like clinicians and gives us the opportunity to showcase what we learn in class
and apply it to our clinical experience. This first clinical rotation so far
has been a great journey and I look forward to learning so much more before it
is over.
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Everyone has to "carry their share" in this clinical rotation! |