March 30, 2016

SLU AT Student Gets Unique Clinical Opportunities at Harris-Stowe State University


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Harris-Stowe State University
By: Amelia Meigs (MAT Class of 2017)

Harris-Stowe State University is a unique clinical site that offers students the opportunity to work with many different healthcare professionals in a collegiate setting. At Harris-Stowe, I have had the opportunity to work with athletes, write concussion and drug safety protocols, assist my preceptor in writing strength and conditioning programs, help revise Institutional Review Board grant requests, and observe games. The athletic trainer at HSSU, Tim Herlihy ATC, is passionate about athletic training. We spend a lot of time in discussion about emerging topics in athletic training, what I learned in the classroom, and new research.


Harris-Stowe provides an excellent opportunity to learn about administration in athletic training. Tim has guided my involvement in writing protocols, assisting research, and working with other healthcare professionals to care for athletes. Additionally, I have been able to tape, rehabilitate injuries, and apply modalities. I am able to work on my prevention skills through deep core and general strengthening protocols Tim institutes for several of the teams.
One special part of Harris-Stowe is its partnership with Logan Chiropractic College. With this partnership, Logan chiropractors and chiropractic students evaluate and treat athletes once a week. They also send chiropractors out to many games to observe and assist with treatment. Working with other healthcare professionals has expanded my knowledge and understanding of the role of the many different healthcare providers in an athletic setting. Harris-Stowe is a wonderful combination of many areas of athletic training that it is difficult to get experience in as a student—namely prevention and administration. Go Hornets!

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.

March 22, 2016

SLU AT Students get an Amazing International Interprofessional Rugby Experience at USA 7's in Las Vegas


Rugby Medicine - 2016 USA 7's - Las Vegas, Nevada
By: Cara Bowton and Angelina Vitale (MAT Class of 2016)

We had an amazing opportunity to connect with USA Rugby over the long weekend coordinated by Michael Keating, ATC.  March 3rd and 4th, we attended the USA Rugby Sports Medicine Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Specialists and medical professionals from around the world came to speak about issues concerning medical care in rugby.  A few of the key topics were concussion protocol using a Head Injury Assessment tool (HIA), hip and knee pathology related to rugby injury, and the World Rugby legislation on laws of tackling when considering age bans.  We were able to meet and talk to those who are leaders in rugby medicine.


Cara Bowton, Kemba Noel-London ATC, Angie Vitale and John Honcharuk ATC
Once the symposium concluded we rushed over to Sam Boyd Stadium to work the USA Rugby 7’s tournament with the general medical staff, where we had the chance to connect with SLU Alum, Kemba Noel-London MAT, ATC.  We assisted the medical staff in a variety of ways, including helping out in the medical room, joining the match day doctors on the pitch, and posting up in the press box for concussion spotting.  Friday through Sunday evening we spent our days at the stadium helping with each injury regardless of the athlete’s team affiliation.  


The medical staff consisted of match day doctors, athletic trainers, chiropractors, physical therapists, and an x-ray technician.  Working closely with each profession gave us a better understanding of how multiple health care professionals can work fluidly to provide the best care for athletes, in adjunct with each team’s physiotherapist.  All injured athletes were escorted to the medical room where either a quick decision was made for return to play or a longer evaluation was conducted, often with the help of translators for the non-English speaking athletes.   Concussions, lacerations, infection, and broken bones were all easily managed on site.  An EAP (emergency action plan) was provided to each of us before the tournament to ensure each one of us were competent in all medical situations.

At the end of a very long weekend, Angie and I were lucky to have these experiences with the help of Michael Keating, ATC.  We are extremely thankful to have been a part of the international tournament and learn about current medical topics of rugby.

March 19, 2016

Two SLU AT Students Honored with Scholarships by the MAATA


Saint Louis University Athletic Training Students Stephanie Ross and Collin Peterson (MAT Class of 2017) were honored as 2016 Professional Student Scholarship recipients by the Mid-America Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA Distict 5) at the MAATA Annual Meeting Honors and Awards Dinner on March 18, 2016 at the University Plaza Conference Center in Springfield, Missouri.

Collin and Stephanie with MAATA Preseident Rob Marshall ATC
Congratulations Stephanie and Collin!

March 16, 2016

SLU AT Student is Excited Each Day about her Learning Experience at Westminster Christian Academy

 SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy
By: Ali Graham (MAT Class of 2017)

Each day as I walk into Westminster Christian Academy I am very excited to see what the day will bring. I am very fortunate to have been placed at Westminster Christian Academy for my second clinical experience for this experience will be invaluable for my future. Hilary Orf  MAT, ATC at Westminster, has been there for 3 years now. She graduated from the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program and has been such a great mentor to me throughout this experience. She is very approachable, has a wealth of knowledge, and possesses great integrity. Hilary truly cares about her athletes and it shows through her practice. I have truly valued my time with Hilary for she has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has helped me improve my professional skills tremendously.
Throughout my time at Westminster Christian Academy I have developed my musculoskeletal assessment and treatment skills. Hilary has encouraged me to evaluate injuries and predict possible diagnoses. I have gained experience as to when it is appropriate to send an athlete for a physician referral. Once diagnosed, I have been able to take athletes through rehabilitation protocols, and apply the rehabilitation exercises and stretches as learned in class. I believe this is one of the best aspects about Saint Louis University's AT Program. As students, we are able to take the knowledge we learn in class and apply it at our clinical sites. During this clinical experience I have been able to observe SCAT 3 Concussion assessments performed on athletes. Without this experience I would only have classroom teaching of the SCAT 3 test, now I have been able to take this knowledge and witness first hand what occurs in the field. Once a concussion has been diagnosed, I have observed the Missouri State Law in action for concussion return to play protocol.

Westminster's spring sports have just started up so I am excited to experience and learn more. Fortunately, my time at Westminster is not up!

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.

March 14, 2016

SLU AT Student Feels Supported by Dedicated Preceptor at Affton HS

SLU Clinical Site Spotlight - Affton High School
By: Mada Hauck (MAT Class of 2017)
    
The clinical experience at Affton provides students with the opportunity to work on skills, autonomy, and have some fun while you’re at it. The Athletic Trainer at Affton, Becky Stigen ATC, has been working there for 7 years. Her passion for the athletes and community at Affton is clear from the first day there. She allows her students to learn from experience while providing help where it is needed. 


In my time at Affton, I have been able to tape, apply modalities, rehabilitate, and perform many evaluations. It is nice to know that I can put my skills from class into action, but Becky is always there to help if I am unsure or make a mistake. I never feel pressure to do anything, but rather have plenty of opportunities to mature my clinical skills. 


Affton is truly the best combination of learning and experience. Becky’s upbeat attitude and love for the profession enhances the atmosphere and makes it very conducive to learning. I am thankful for Becky and my experience thus far at Affton.

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.

March 13, 2016

SLU AT Student Experiences Professional Growth Facilitated by Preceptor at CBC HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School
By: C.J. Spink (MAT Class of 2016)

Christian Brothers College High School has been a great experience for me and has helped me develop into a professional in the field of athletic training. Kristen Jeans ATC, the head athletic trainer at CBC, has been at CBC for the past ten years. Kristen is one of the best preceptors you could ask for because she gives you an extremely large amount of autonomy when it comes to treating athletes. Rather than just acting as an athletic training student, I am allowed to function as if I am already an athletic trainer, but still under the supervision of one that is certified. Not only is she there to answer any questions I may have, but she asks for and values my opinions as well. We work as a team when treating our athletes, which provides a good demonstration as to how all athletic training settings should function.
This clinical experience has allowed me to cultivate relationships as well as build trust with the coaches and athletes that we care for. I feel as much a part of the CBC athletic program as any other staff member employed at the school due to the friendliness and respect that is given to me from each individual in the building.

Not only have I been able to build good relationships, but, most importantly, I have been able to build confidence in my ability to treat athletes on my own. I have experienced what it is like to make the decision whether or not to refer an athlete, send them in an ambulance, or treat them in house, which is a scary thing for an athletic training student who had never made that type of decision. My clinical rotation at CBC has made me believe that I could cover any athletic event on my own and be able to provide excellent coverage and support to the athletes who are in my care.

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.

March 11, 2016

SLU AT Student Appreciates the Efforts of His Preceptors at Webster University


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster University
By: Ryan Lilly (MAT Class of 2016)

As my final year in SLU’s AT program comes to a close, I have been given the opportunity to spend my last semester at Webster University. Webster is a small private college located in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis.  Webster has a variety of sports including women’s volleyball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, tennis, baseball, softball, cross country and track and field. The athletic trainers at Webster are Jenny Popken ATC and Martin Fields ATC. Throughout the whole year I have been working closely with them and absorbing as much knowledge as I can.
Webster has provided me with many learning opportunities. Each day I am able to continue working on a variety of my skills.  Some the skills I have been able to work on the most are evaluations, rehabilitation programs, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, taping, wound care and first aid. Martin and Jenny have worked hard with me on athletic training skills and have progressively let me become more and more involved. Martin and Jenny are always asking me what I want to learn about and take the time teach me what it is I want to learn. In addition to this, they are always evaluating me and provide me feedback or teach me something that they think would be useful in my future.
I am thankful for the opportunity to learn from the Athletic Trainers at Webster University.

They have taught me more than I could have hoped for. I am looking forward to the remaining time I get to spend at Webster and being able to soak up as much knowledge as I can.

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.

March 10, 2016

SLU AT Students Experience a Clinical Site with a Holistic Approach at John Burroughs HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs High School
By: Angie Vitale (MAT Class of 2016) and Morgan Jasperson (MAT Class of 2017)

This semester, we have had the great opportunity to be placed at John Burroughs High School for our clinical rotations. Located in Ladue, Missouri, John Burroughs is a small private, coed high school for grades 7-12. John Burroughs takes a holistic approach to education, placing heavy emphasis on extracurricular activities to help develop the individual on a higher level. It is evident through our interactions with these students that their participation in sports has a positive impact on their lives in many ways. Not only are the students respectful and show impeccable sportsmanship during competition, but they also exhibit a strong sense of unity with their teammates and enjoyment in what they do.
Our preceptor, Dean Tiffany, ATC, has been the head athletic trainer at John Burroughs for over 16 years. He graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training and went on to complete his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration at Lindenwood University. In addition to his role as head ATC, Dean also is the school’s assistant athletic director, as well as the boys’ JV and Varsity wrestling coach.

We came into this semester with winter sports in full swing, allowing us to dive right in to basketball and wrestling events. Under the supervision of Dean, we have taken part in injury prevention, immediate care, and rehabilitation for these athletes. Wrestling, in particular, has been a very eye opening experience for us in terms of the broad spectrum of injuries we have seen, from acute blood and wound care to concussion recognition/treatment. Recently we hosted our district’s wrestling tournament, which proved to be a great experience in both injury management and event planning and coordination. As winter sports wind down, we are  looking forward to the upcoming spring season! 

We wish the best of luck to all our athletes now and in the future. Go Bombers!!

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.

March 09, 2016

SLU AT Students Benefit from a Mix of Preceptors in an NCAA Division I Setting at SIU-Edwardsville

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville
By: Erika Cook and Brady Moore (MAT Class of 2016)

Another exciting semester here with the Cougars of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville! Basketball is coming to end as post season tournaments begin soon. Softball, Baseball, and women’s and men’s track competitive seasons are just beginning. This means that the athletic training room is very busy pretty much all day. Whether athletes are getting ready for practice, doing exercises in her or his rehab program, getting soft tissue work done, or getting treatment after practice, there is always plenty work to do all day long.


March is National Athletic Training Month, so we want to take the time talk about each of our preceptors for a moment. First, Gerry Schlemer, M.S.Ed., ATC, LAT, has been the head athletic trainer since 2004. He covers men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s golf. He’s also an adjunct faculty member in the Kinesiology and Health Education Department. 

There are three assistant athletic trainers. James Mays, M.S.Ed., ATC, LAT covers men’s soccer and softball. Alex Sawyer, M.A.T., ATC, LAT cover women’s basketball and volleyball; she’s also a graduate of SLU AT Program. Ben Heimos, M.S., ATC, LAT, CSCS covers women’s soccer and baseball. 

There are also three graduate assistants. Allison Barloon, ATC, LAT cover men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field. Ryan Salerno, ATC, LAT covers men’s wrestling. Lastly, Ashley Ball, ATC, LAT covers club hockey and club football.

All of our preceptors work together to provide quality care for over 300 student athletes. They have all set such a great example of what a professional looks like, and we learn something new from one of them every day.

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.

March 08, 2016

SLU AT Student Learns from Actively Engaged Preceptor at Parkway South HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway South High School
By: Sarah Haenchen (MAT Class of 2017)

I am doing my spring clinical rotation at Parkway South High School. I love working at PSH because there are a variety of sports and sports I have not seen such as wrestling, water polo, swim and dive, and boy’s volleyball. My preceptor, Mike Tzianos ATC, is one of the best ATs provided by Mercy Sports Medicine. I have learned a ton from Mike, and he has helped me refine my skills. I am not only learning, but also teaching. Mike has learned some new skills from me from what I have learned in class. We also share journal articles with each other to keep up with evidence-based practice especially for rehabs about why we do certain exercises. This helps us give quality care to the athletes.
Not only have I been learning and developing my skills with evaluations and treatments, I have also learned about the administrative side in athletic training. There is a lot of documentation that has to be done each day, and you always have to follow up with the athlete and other health care professionals involved in the patient’s care. In order to improve communication between the athlete, coaches and parents, Mike and I created a document that has information about the athlete’s injury or condition and whether they are allowed to participate in sporting activities. While making this document seems like a small task, it will have a huge impact. I am excited that other athletic trainers working with Mercy Sports Medicine will use our document in the future after it has gone through a few more revisions.

What I like most about working with Mike and at PSH is that I am constantly being challenged. Whether it is Mike asking me questions about an injury or rehab, we have limited supplies or I am working at a sport I have never been around I try to keep a positive attitude and an open mind. It can be frustrating to figure out a rehab and then realize I do not have the equipment for the exercise. I have learned though that there are several ways to do an exercise and some exercises can be done without equipment. My experience at PSH has been great, and I hope to keep improving the care for our athletes.

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.

March 07, 2016

SLU AT Students Get a Variety of Experiences in a Positive Environment at Fontbonne University


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Fontbonne University
By: Andrew Gomez and Lauren Scalise (MAT Class of 2016); Stephanie Uhrich and Bri LaBarbera (MAT Class of 2017)

Fontbonne University has provided us with a great experience so far! Our four preceptors; Andrea Lindquist ATC, Ann Schmerbauch ATC (SLU Alum), Jaci Clauson ATC and Brittany Koops ATC (SLU Alum); provide us with a deeper learning base when it comes to evaluations and rehabilitation because each AT has a different way of doing things. This is helpful because it keeps us away from getting into a standard routine. The great thing about this site is that our preceptors are on a constant rotation of all the sports. This is really beneficial because the athletes are familiar with all the ATs. When they come in with questions or for rehab they can talk to any of the ATs and everyone is on the same page.

We get experience with a wide variety of sports at the NCAA Division III collegiate level. We have worked with soccer, basketball, cross country, track & field, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, and volleyball. We have spent a lot of time on developing rehabilitation protocols for athletes and how to guide them through the rehabilitation process. We also have learned a few new taping techniques to help with shin splints, Achilles tendon pathology, and even TFCC just to name a few.  

The athletes and AT staff at Fontbonne University are great to work with!  Every day we come in, we leave with new knowledge pertaining to the athletic training profession. Fontbonne provides unique hands on experience and opportunities giving us a greater experience working from on court evaluations to post-surgical rehabilitation.


What makes Fontbonne University one of the best experiences we’ve had is the care and positive attitudes that all our preceptors bring each day. The AT room isn’t just a place where we treat and rehab athletes, it’s a place of comfort and safety. The care and love that all four preceptors have for everyone makes a safe, fun, and stress relieving environment. Because of this we thank you all for giving us an experience of a lifetime.  

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.

SLU AT Student Finds Community that Supports Creativity and Critical Thinking at St. Mary's HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - St. Mary's High School
By: Krystin Haas (MAT Class of 2016)

St. Mary's High School is an excellent site to be at for a clinical placement. There is a lot of room for creative and critical thinking. My preceptor, Bridget Quirk MAT, ATC, is a very intelligent person and a great athletic trainer and I hope to soak up as much knowledge from her that I can before I leave. This is the first year that this school has had their very own full-time athletic trainer. Bridget does an excellent job with facilitating and implementing processes that have never been done before and figuring out what will work best for the school through trial and error. St. Mary's staff is very willing to work with her and they all form a wonderful team because everyone sees what is best in the end; that is the safety and wellness of the athletes. 


It is a great process to be a part of and a wonderful experience to be able to see these things take place. My time here has given me knowledge of how to go about implementing different ideas if I am ever put in the position where processes need to be started. Hopefully, if this happened I would have the support and trust from the staff wherever I am, like at St. Mary's gives Bridget. This was a great place to finish up my clinical experiences as a student and will help me wherever I end up after graduation. 

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.

March 06, 2016

SLU AT Students Benefit from Great Environment for Learning at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University
By: Andrea Strebler, Jack Dunlap and Demeisha Crawford (MAT Class of 2016)

During the fall semester at Washington University we were assigned primarily with football and secondly men’s and women’s soccer. The combination of PY1’s and PY2’s was a great environment for learning and bouncing ideas off each other. The sheer amount of injuries was a perfect atmosphere for mentoring, learning new techniques and collaboration from the various health care providers. Our transition to winter season, mainly basketball was much needed.


Spring semester at Washington University kicked off full swing January 9th, 2016. Both basketball teams were in the beginning of regular season play and eager to succeed. With prestigious coaches on both the men and women’s sides the bears were excited and raring to go. The three of us were feeling the same way, well rested from our winter breaks and excited for this spring semester. As PY2’s at Washington University as our last semester of clinical practicum we were given much more responsibilities. Initial evaluations, reassessments, rehabilitations, documentation and overall care was to be PY2 responsibility thus forward. We were excited to take on these new responsibilities full go.


Low Level Laser Therapy – LLLT (therapeutic modality) was a new addition to the Washington University athletic training room. At first it was the new craze, after time we came to find obvious positive results that no other therapeutic modality had given before. Our primary uses have been for chronic injury (i.e. patellar tendinopathy), abrasions (i.e. turf burns), and chronic muscle strains (hamstring strains). One of the most telling examples was an athlete who had suffered a substantial turf abrasion with exudate and significant pain. We treated this athlete with low wattage and the large laser head over the area for two treatment cycles. After the treatments the athlete reported less pain and exudate and visibly we saw scar formation. Rick Larson says, “It is an effective modality for connective tissues, primarily for circulatory benefits”.


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.

March 05, 2016

SLU AT Student Appreciates Autonomy and Trust Provided by Preceptor at Parkway West HS



SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway West High School
By: Rachel Spika (MAT Class of 2016)

For my final semester in the SLU Athletic Training Program, I am continuing my clinical rotation experience at Parkway West High School. My first semester at West was largely about getting to know my preceptor, Matt Berning MAT, LAT, ATC, our athletes, and many of the school staff members and coaches. One of my biggest priorities was building strong, trusting relationships with all of these people in order to develop the best communication pathways and highest quality of patient care.  

I would describe the focus of my current, and final, semester at West to be on my own independence in terms of critical thinking and decision-making skills. My preceptor has stepped back more in the past couple of months, and he encourages me to conduct my patient, coach, and parent interactions on my own. I go through injury evaluations and rehabilitations, treatments, documentation, and contact with parents and coaches as if I am already a certified athletic trainer. This has been extremely beneficial for my professional development, especially as my BOC exam date looms closer and closer. 

This semester has also provided many opportunities for me to dive deeper into a few particular topics of interest to me within athletic training. I recently gained experience with administering the Functional Movement Screen to some of our basketball athletes. My preceptor and I have been collaborating with West’s strength and conditioning specialist to create rehabilitative and preventative exercises for our athletes in order to address and correct deficits that were noted during the screen. This is just one of the many ways that my time at Parkway West has benefited my professional development and therefore my quality of patient care in my future career. I look forward to continuing this growth throughout the upcoming spring sports season.

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.

March 04, 2016

SLU AT Students Experience Growth in a Busy Division I Setting with the Billikens

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics
By: Dave O’Loughlin (MAT Class of 2016) with Danny Smith, Bailey Draheim and Collin Peterson (MAT Class of 2017)

My time has been extensive at SLU, and I am thankful for it. Sometimes it gets frustrating always being busy while some of my classmates are free, but I view this as added time to learn and get experience. Through several hours at SLU, I have learned a great amount of material, gained a lot of confidence in decision making and clinician-patient communication, and learned to think outside the box and approach problems from different angles.


Just recently, we added three students in their first professional year – Danny Smith, Bailey Draheim and Collin Peterson. This has been a very positive experience for all of us, being that I now have the opportunity to pass on what I have learned, and have the capacity to lead other students following in my direction. For the PY1’s, they were “thrown into the fire” right away and forced to adapt on the fly and learn and work in a fast-paced environment. I think this aspect has helped them a lot in their clinical growth, as it directly correlates to the quick decision making and thinking on your feet required to be a good athletic trainer.

For my own sake, I have been learning a good deal about the business side of athletic training, i.e. billing, doctor referrals, hospital visits, scheduling, administration, etc. The PY1’s are getting a crash course of techniques to implement into the musculoskeletal assessments and rehabilitation.

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.

March 03, 2016

SLU AT Students Enjoy a Dynamic and Positive Learning Experience at Webster Groves HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By: Alissa Beeman (MAT Class of 2016) and Max Alander (MAT Class of 2017)

This spring we are doing our athletic training clinical rotation at Webster Groves High School in Webster Groves, MO. Sean Wright, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer at Webster Groves, provides copious amounts of challenges to always further develop our clinical skills. Regardless of the situation, whether it’s a new tape job or new type of trauma, he expects our full presence and participation so that this new experience will no longer be new to us in our future.

Alissa has been here since last August, and she is very comfortable with her role everyday. The athletes and coaches are now familiar which makes this line of work a lot more enjoyable. We've been exposed to working with other interprofessional health care providers such as physicians, physician assistants and counselors. Working with these professionals has been valuable in that it forces us out of our comfort zone, which ultimately makes us better clinicians.


One really great thing about working with Sean is he is always pushing us to learn new things. If we have down time in the training room, he’ll pull out the orthoplast and tell us to make him a splint. If we have an athlete walk in for rehab, he encourages us to present him with new exercises, and not use the same ones as we did last time. His persistence to constantly better us as clinicians is inspiring and unparalleled.

Our experience this spring has been such a positive one. To say we will leave here better clinicians with an heightened skill set is an understatement. We are pushed everyday to be the best we can be, and we are so very grateful for that. We are looking forward to continuing our learning as we dive into the last season of sports here at Webster Groves.

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.

March 02, 2016

SAVE THE DATE - SLATS Bowl-a-thon - April 6th at Moolah Lanes


Alumni, students, friends and family members of the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program, mark your calendars for April 6, 2016 as the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) hosts our annual Bowl-A-Thon event from 6pm to 8pm at the Moolah Lanes, 3821 Lindell Blvd, adjacent to the Frost Campus at SLU!



Please join us and support this great event as we raise money for the Saint Louis University Bauman Endowed Scholarship for Athletic Training by having fun bowling, eating, and making great memories. 



In its first year a scholarship was to an athletic training student in the professional phase of the SLU AT Program. This year, with the great support from everyone last year, we were able to award TWO amazing students a scholarship! 


So let’s keep the tradition going so we can continue to assist future athletic training students! 

For more information email: atep@slu.edu or call 314-977-8561.