SLU AT Student Connects the Classroom and the Clinical Setting at Vianney HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - St. John Vianney High School

By: Danny Smith (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

I have been blessed and privileged to begin my clinical experience at St. John Vianney High School. At Vianney I have had the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business, Tim Trupiano ATC.  Tim has taught me so much about the field of athletic training and health care in general.  I can already notice my skills and confidence growing each day I go to my clinical site.  

At St. John Vianney High School I have had the opportunity to care for student-athletes competing in football, soccer, and cross-country.  I have been able to demonstrate my skills in wound care and preventative taping on a daily basis.  I really enjoy being able to get the athletes back on the field and ready to play their best.  I have also had the opportunity to practice my assessment skills.  I am extremely fortunate to be able to learn a skill in class and then be able to demonstrate that skill later the same day.  

The experience and knowledge I have gained at St. John Vianney High School will impact my career in health care for the rest of my life.  I have been able to practice taking patient histories and communicating with patients.  During home football games, I have also had the opportunity to speak with and learn from Vianney’s team doctors.  This opportunity has been a real life application of the interprofessional education I have received from SLU.  I am excited for all that my future career in health care has in store for me, but I will never forget that it all started in the athletic training room at St. John Vianney High School.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their preceptors. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU AT Program.