December 31, 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE SLU AT PROGRAM!


The faculty, staff and students of the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program wishes you a happy and successful New Year!

Last Year Fr. James Martin SJ posted "New Year's Resolutions for Absolutely Everyone"

We are reposting, because they are even more appropriate for 2017:

1.) Be Kind. That means...

2.) Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt. After all, why not? Everyone is carrying around some sort of burden. Usually one that you don't even know about. So give them a break. Even if they're being unreasonable....

3.) Especially when you're talking about them with someone else. Honor the absent, as the saying goes. Spiritually speaking, it's essential. It's part of charity. Practically speaking, it makes sense too. Why? First, because you'll feel crummy about yourself afterwards. Second, because the person you're complaining to will probably see you as negative. Finally, it will inevitably get back to them. More to the point, it's mean.

4.) Don't be a jerk. There is simply no need to be. At all. Zero. Just because you're having a rotten day doesn't mean you have to pass it along your misery to someone else. It's important to share your struggles with friends. Essential. But being in a bad mood is no excuse to be a jerk. If you feel your moving into that territory, ask yourself a simple question, "Am I being a jerk?" If you're somehow unable to discern that, the look on other people's faces will tell you.

5.) Give a call, pay a visit, or send a note to someone who is sick, lonely, struggling. It will cost you nothing, but will mean everything to them. Think of how you feel when someone reaches out.

6.) Release yourself from that grudge. In other words, forgive. It's ridiculous to hold onto things for so long. It eats away at you like a cancer, and it poisons the other person's life. It also, most likely, serves to turn them against you even more. You think you are justified in being mad? You probably are. People can be jerks. But there are probably people justified in holding a grudge against you, too. So just let it go.

7.) Stop being so sarcastic. A little of that goes too far. You may think you're being Oscar Wilde, but you're often just being mean. Sarcasm can be an effective antidote to pomposity, but sometimes it's just cruel.

8.) Listen patiently to someone who is long-winded, or boring, or, especially. complaining. They're usually insecure, lonely or in pain. Your listening is a gift to them. It may mean that you're the only person they have to talk to. Yes, it's hard. But God sees what you're doing. And, after all, people have to listen to you.

9.) Help someone who is really needy. A homeless person. A poor person. A refugee. A sick person. A grieving person. It's not hard to figure out how to do it. And if you don't know anyone like that, write a check. That's not so hard either. Helping doesn't require an advanced degree.

10.) Be kind. Did I mention that? It bears repeating, because if you are kind, then you'll make a lot of people happy in the New Year. Yourself too. And God.

LINK TO ORIGINAL POST:
https://www.facebook.com/FrJamesMartin/photos/a.139618381495.120357.46899546495/10153207099316496/?type=1&theater

December 19, 2016

SLU AT Students Conduct Toy and Book Drive for Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

SLATS Annual Holiday Toy and Book Drive
By: Olivia Robinson and Sarah Haenchen (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

In the recent holiday seasons students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) has organized a toy and book drive to collect gifts for the children at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Cardinal Glennon is a St. Louis area hospital that opened its doors in 1956 to children in need of medical care. Cardinal Glennon is a part of the SSM Health. SSM and the SLU Athletic Training Program enjoy a wonderful relationship ever since the beginning of our program.
  
Each year SLATS puts on a holiday toy and book drive to put a smile on the kids faces, and show how thankful our community is for the hospital that helps them. This was one of our best years yet. We collected an assortment of 50+ boys and girls toys.
  
This year our winners with the most donations were, Sarah Haenchen in first place, and Bridget Bushong and Emily Mott in a tie for second place. As always SLATS appreciates and thanks all of our donors. 

We are looking forward to another successful toy and book drive next year!

December 15, 2016

Happy Holidays from the SLU Athletic Training Program!

The faculty, staff and students of the 
Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program 
wish you God's blessings on this Christmas holiday!

December 11, 2016

SLU AT Alums Return to Share their Experiences with Current Students

SLU Athletic Training Program Alumni Panel
By: Sarah Haenchen and Olivia Robinson (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

On November 28, 2016, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) hosted a panel of SLU athletic training alumni to talk to current athletic training students about their experiences and their jobs. Hilary Orf MAT, ATC (Class of 2013) works with Athletico at Westminster Christian Academy high school. Alex Sawyer MAT, ATC (Class of 2013) works in the college setting at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Kelly Peck MAT, ATC (Class of 2014) works in the industrial setting at Boeing with Work-Fit. 

It was fascinating to learn about the industrial setting because that is not a setting we are exposed to often. The AT students really enjoyed hearing the panelists talk about their clinical rotations as students and how our clinical rotations could lead to a job. The panelists also gave us great advice in the transition from being a student to a professional. This was a great event for the athletic training students to learn more about the different settings and prepare them for their future. 

December 05, 2016

Student from Ireland Enjoys a Semester-Long Experience in Athletic Training at Saint Louis University

International Clinical Exchange - SLU and Athlone Institute of Technology
By: Robbie Cassidy (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy student – Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland)

I have been working and studying at St. Louis University for 14 weeks now and moving into my last week here I feel that I have got the experience I was looking for. Working with Westminster Christian Academy and the SLU women’s basketball team I have learned and practiced many new techniques. I found working with the high school introduced me to a variety of new sports and the reality of injuries associated with them. Hillary Orf MAT, ATC, my preceptor at the high school, has helped me in every aspect of my work experience and has been a pleasure to work with. With the constant flow of athletes in and out of the athletic training room I have been able to evaluate multiple injuries in a comfortable environment before discussing the possible diagnoses with my colleagues and determining the right course of action allowing me to develop my clinical examination skills. Every day I have learned from my co-workers and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Women's Basketball practice starts at 6:00 A.M. in the incredible Chaifetz Arena, so we would usually be in the athletic training room by 5:30 A.M. to begin setting up for practice and taping the players. After practice I work with some of the players on their rehab programs or continue treatment with them. On game-day we will set-up the therapy table just off-court and will sit courtside with the team. The atmosphere and build-up for games is exciting and with the team being ranked #1 in the A-10 conference has really added to the overall experience. In short, working with the women’s basketball team has been a new experience as I have never worked with an elite team of the same calibre before. Lizzy Kienstra MAT, ATC and Kara Cummins-Ludwig MS, ATC, my preceptors at SLU, provided much in the way of mentoring and advice and for this I am grateful. 

When I arrived at SLU I was welcomed by Anthony Breitbach PhD, ATC, the Athletic Training program director, who took the time to show me around the city of St. Louis and helped me to get settled in. Coming to St. Louis alone was a bit overwhelming at first but Dr Breitbach went out of his way to make my initial couple of weeks here as easy and as comfortable as possible. We have kept in good contact the entire time I have been here and he has helped me out on numerous occasions. I was placed in two PY2 classes at SLU where I have learned a significant amount about the treatment and maintenance of athletes under excellent professors (Dr. Kitty Newsham, Dr. Mike Markee and Dr. Tim Howell) who have been a great help in and out of the classroom. 

It has not only been the professors here at SLU who have helped me in my studies, as I have also received assistance from my fellow students who have acted as mentors. One such student Collin Peterson, introduced to me through Dr. Breitbach, has been my guide in handling the program and swiftly became a friend that I could rely on here. He has helped me to adapt to the new culture and has introduced me to the social life of St. Louis.

I have really enjoyed my time at Saint Louis University and hope to keep up the relationships with all the new friends I have made.

Dr. Erik Swartz featured speaker for 6th Annual SLU AT Speakers Series - February 20, 2017


Erik Swartz, Ph.D., ATC, FNATA, will be the featured speaker for the 6th annual Saint Louis University Athletic Training Speakers Series and Recognition Ceremony this Spring. The event is presented by the Saint Louis University chapter of Iota Tau Alpha National Athletic Training Honor Society.

Dr. Swartz is a professor and the Department of Kinesiology Chair at the University of New Hampshire; he is also the creator of a new football tackling and blocking program designed to reduce head injuries in athletes. Dr. Swartz’s presentation – Changing the Paradigm: Can Taking Football Helmets Off Reduce Head Injuries? -  will take place Monday, February 20 at 7:00pm in the Huh Auditorium at the Center for Global Citizenship at Saint Louis University.

After the featured speaker, there will be a panel discussion addressing head safety issues facing the sport of football today. The panel will include: Washington University Athletic Training and former St. Louis Rams Athletic Trainer Jim Anderson, Super Bowl Champion and former St. Louis Rams Center Andy McCollum and Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School Football Coach Scott Pingel.

It will be proceeded by the Iota Tau Alpha Initiation Ceremony and be followed by a social sponsored by the SLU Athletic Training Society (SLATS).

Here is the link to the official announcement: http://www.slu.edu/doisy/doisy-news/2016/at_speakerseries_17.php

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