SLU AT Student Finds a Welcoming Clinical Site at Parkway West High School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway West High School
By: Donielle Francis (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

This semester, I have the pleasure of continuing my clinical experience at Parkway West High School, learning under the guidance of Matt Berning, ATC from Mercy Sports Medicine. I arrived at West amid the winter sports working with basketball, wrestling and swimming and diving. We are now in full swing with the spring sports which includes baseball, soccer, lacrosse, track and field, water polo, volleyball and tennis. This has given me the opportunity to work with sports that I have never worked with. Transitioning from a college clinical experience to a high school experience has been significantly different yet very beneficial. I have been able to methodically work on enhancing my injury evaluation skills, taping, as well as diving into more rehabilitation protocols.

Parkway West has been a very friendly and welcoming environment. I have been treated like a valuable member of the team from day one. Matt has showed me how important it is to have good working relationships and communication with all involved, from the Athletic Directors, to coaches, players and parents. Also, with Matt being a part of Mercy Sports Medicine, I have seen the benefit of having coordinated sports medicine care with the physicians, orthopedists, physical therapists and athletic trainers. The communication ensures that all are on the same page which is very beneficial to the student athlete.

I am truly enjoying my time at West so far and I look forward to continuing my semester here and developing my skills.

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.