October 31, 2017

SLU AT Student Enjoys Clinical Experience at Parkway South HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway South High School
By:  Maddie Bresnahan (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

This year I get the opportunity to be at Parkway South High School with preceptor Mike Tzianos ATC who is at South through Mercy Sports Medicine! I enjoy learning under Mike's guidance, he is an experienced athletic trainer with so much knowledge to share with me. I get to spend the afternoons with Mike and become accustomed  to working in a high school and treating high school athletes.
I’ve already learned so much this semester! I constantly get to practice my athletic training skills. I tape, evaluate, and rehab athletes daily and I get great feedback from my preceptor to improve my skills. He also is always teaching my new skills and helpful tips to improve myself.

I love my clinical site this semester! And I am excited to continue learning and practicing athletic training 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.

October 30, 2017

SLU AT Students Find Excellent Professional Role Model in Preceptor at Kirkwood HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Kirkwood High School
By:  Christopher Mecherle and Matt Murphy (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Being the only certified athletic trainer at a large school can be chaotic and trying at times but Denise Grider MAT, ATC, CSCS, our preceptor at Kirkwood High School, has proved that she is more than capable of dealing with the sometimes-overwhelming workload. We are fortunate to have her as a guide along the first steps of our career paths.

Through her we have learned how to keep order in the chaos, care for patients in an efficient and thorough manner, and interact with fellow faculty. In addition to teaching us new ways to tape, therapeutic modalities, and other hands on skills required for athletic training, Denise has showed us the way to earn the trust of our patients and truly get to know them in order to provide full care.

While Denise has been incredible, the students and faculty at Kirkwood have also been outstanding. The atmosphere the students, coaches, and administration create definitely makes going into the school everyday interesting and enjoyable. It's safe to say that Denise’s professionalism has rubbed off on us, and it certainly aided our growth towards becoming athletic trainers. The rest of the school has also made a positive impact in our first few months of our First Professional Year.

It has been an absolute pleasure to spend our first clinical experience at Kirkwood High School, and we hope to carry the experience we have gathered there to wherever we work in the future.

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.

October 28, 2017

SLU AT Student Values the Hands-on Clinical Opportunities at Christian Brothers College HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School
By: Wyatt Whitegoat (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This year, I have the opportunity to enhance my skills as an athletic training student at Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School. At CBC, I am currently covering football, soccer, and cross-country. My preceptor, Kristin Jeans ATC, LMT, who works at CBC through Mercy Sports Medicine, has made the opportunity a remarkable experience.
At the guidance of Kristin, I am able assess and treat injuries by applying the knowledge I gained from my previous clinical settings and lectures. As I apply my techniques, Kristin has been very interactive and responsive with my approach, which has enhanced my clinical judgment and confidence as an athletic training student.

Moreover, at CBC I am able to enhance my knowledge and capabilities of manual therapy. As a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Kristin has been able to demonstrate various massage techniques for muscular related release for the body. The techniques used have been beneficial for pre- and post-treatments. As a strong believer of manual therapy, I have learned tremendous massage therapy skills that I will consistently utilize.
Lastly, at CBC I am able to improve and gain more knowledge focused on rehabilitation. Rehabilitation has always been an interest of mine, so being able to integrate and learn skills from a clinical site and preceptor, like Kristin, has been a great component to my confidence as a future athletic trainer.

Overall, Christian Brothers College High School has been a great site. I am continually excited about the skills I will learn throughout the year. 

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.

October 26, 2017

SLU Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Sponsors Continuing Education Workshop - December 2, 2017

Advances in the Management of Knee Pathology

Saturday, December 2, 2017
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Multipurpose Room, Allied Health Building
Saint Louis University

Interventions for knee pathology evolve over time. Keeping current with the latest techniques is sometimes difficult. What works? Does it work for everyone? How can I select the best intervention for my patient? Join colleagues at this 4 hour continuing education program addressing chronic and acute knee pathology.

Topics include:

Task-specific Movement Training Intervention for Patellofemoral Pain
Gretchen Salsich, PT, PhD

Contemporary Interventions for Patellar Tendinopathy
Mike Markee, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT,ATC

ACL Injury and Reconstruction in the Skeletally Immature Athlete
Scott Kaar, MD

Identifying and Locating Quality Evidence for Busy Clinicians
Mary Krieger, R.N., M.L.I.S

Saint Louis University, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training (BOC AP# P3877) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 4 EBP Category hours/CEUs.

Saint Louis University School of Medicine Continuing Education Program is a continuing education sponsor for the State of Illinois to provide Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy CE courses.
State of Illinois Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor License # 216-000085 Expiration Date: 09/30/2018 CE Contact hours: 4.0

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, a participant will be able to:
  • Describe the relationship between movement impairments and patellofemoral pain
  • Discuss the efficacy of current interventions for patella tendinopathy
  • Explain the consequences of delaying surgical stabilization in the ACL-deficient adolescent
  • Identify high quality evidence with a targeted search strategy.

Target Audience
  • This program is intended for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

Fees
  • Early Bird (payment by 11/27/2017) $50
  • Regular Registration (after 11/27/2017) $60

Registration and payment information
  • Registration form and payment information are available through Saint Louis University REGISTRATION LINK
  • If paying by check, please contact Kitty Newsham (knewsham@slu.edu)

Cancellation/Refund Policy
A full refund of the conference registration fees will be made for requests received by November 30, 2017. No refunds will be processed after November 30, 2017. In the event a program is cancelled, participants are entitled to a full refund.
All refund requests must be sent in writing (postal or email) to, and received by Kitty Newsham at Saint Louis University’ 3437 Caroline Mall, St Louis, MO 63104 or knewsham@slu.edu). Refunds approved by November 30, 2017, will be issued to the original payer in the same amount as the payment received.

Directions
South on Grand from I-64/40 or North on Grand from I-44. Turn East on Chouteau to South on Theresa.

Garage parking is accessible from Theresa or Rutgers Ave.
Hickory East Garage: 3424 Hickory St. Garage Rate: $2 per hour, $6 per day

AT Student and Military Veteran Finds a Home at SLU with his Preceptor at St. John Vianney HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - St. John Vianney High School
By: Brian Leach (MAT Class of 2019)

The last year in the military is an exciting time for most services members. I was so excited to start down a new path, and my mind was flooded with all the possibilities. I was actually planning on returning to University of Missouri Kansas City where I had just been accepted. But after remembering a conversation between my sister and I about Saint Louis University when I was 11 years old, I realized that I needed to apply. I wanted to go to school for Anthropology at first, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of Athletic Training Program a few lines down on the list. After a little thought, I decided that Athletic Training was the major for me, and so I applied and got in.

Now here I am four years later doing my clinicals at Saint John Vianney, a school my father used to brag about but had never attended. I am currently under the guidance of Tim Trupiano, ATC head Athletic Trainer at Vianney. I honestly cannot think of a better place to begin my clinical experience. Tim Trupiano reminds me a lot of one of my best friends from the military. Easy going guy that puts everything he can into being great at his job. I couldn’t be more grateful. I am especially thankful to begin my clinical experience at a site without modalities. I think that this is helpful for the sake of keeping things simple. Here I can learn to appreciate a more hands on, bare bones approach to treatment rather than getting lost in all the options.

I feel that I am building a solid foundation as I move forward into my future of becoming a good Athletic Trainer.

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.

October 25, 2017

SLU AT Student Finds Ample Clinical Learning Opportunities at Lindbergh HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight- Lindbergh High School
By: Erin Fabbri (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

My first clinical site for this fall semester is at Lindbergh High School. I am the first SLU AT student to be at this clinical site. I am really enjoying my experience at Lindbergh High School thus far. This fall season has been very busy with 10 sports and 25 teams in total.

My preceptor, Danielle Zee-Cheng, ATC and I get along extremely well. I have learned so much from her and she allows me to practice my AT skills on a daily basis. Each day I am there I learn something new whether it is a new injury, new evaluation, new way to tape or different stretching techniques. The athletic training room is always crowded which has allowed me to get lots of practice taping on a daily basis. Lindbergh does not have a lot of modalities so that enables me to practice my hands on skills and learn different ways to perform treatment.

I am looking forward to the rest of my semester at Lindbergh. The majority of the fall sports are ending their seasons and then winter sports will begin. I have gained great relationships with coaches and administration at Lindbergh. Lindbergh High School has been a great clinical site. 

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.

October 24, 2017

SLU AT Students Benefit from Excellent Facilities and Dedicated Preceptors at Missouri Baptist University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Missouri Baptist University
By: Matt Eifert, Ryan Frantz and Justin Ullom (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

What can we say about Missouri Baptist University? The first thing that struck us was the almost overwhelming number of modalities that they have available to use in their athletic training room. Essentially, if you could dream it, you could get your hands on it at MoBap. The wide range of modalities has helped us to develop our rehabilitation skills on multiple levels, from simply using an innovative Normatech machine, to more complicated things such as doing a combination of stim and ultrasound. It is obvious that MoBap does not shy away from advances in medicine, as any modality that has proven benefits is used, no matter how recently it was discovered. Clearly there are the simple things such as bags of ice, but then there are also the more recent modalities such as the aforementioned Normatech machines, which deal with intermittent compression, as well as fire-cupping. It was extremely beneficial to the three of us to have all these modalities present at our first clinical site, because now we are proficient across the board is the use of them.

The other thing we came to love at MoBap was building the relationship with the athletes. When we first arrived, we had two long weeks of two a days where we did not know any of the players, nor their mannerisms. As we have built our relationships with the players, we have come to realize when an athlete is just being himself, or when he is actually hurt. We also found that the stronger our bond became with the athletes, the more easily they trusted us with what we were asking them to do, no longer being skeptical of who we were or if we actually knew what we were doing. That was one of our barriers initially, as we are the same age or barely older than some of these athletes, so they could not necessarily trust that we had the knowledge in us to properly treat them right off the bat.

In summary, we have gotten a great idea of what it is like to take care of athletes at the college level, as well as how important it is to build a strong bond with your athletes so that they trust you with your care. College level athletics are taken much more seriously than high school, and it shows in how the athletes expect to be treated for quick return to play from injuries, as well as the vastly larger time commitment that is involved with taking care of a college-level athletic team as compared to what some high school teams require.

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.

October 23, 2017

SLU AT Student Experiences an Individual Approach to Health Care at Cardinal Ritter College Prep


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Cardinal Ritter College Prep
By: Juan Calero Alonso (MAT Class of 2019)

This semester, I've had the opportunity to learn from my preceptor and SLU AT Alum Christopher (CJ) Spink MAT, ATC. I am really enjoying my experience at Cardinal Ritter college prep so far. Working with football, soccer and volleyball has been a great tool to develop new skills to help with my career development. So far I have had opportunities to learn about first aid care, rehabilitation treatments, injury evaluation and many other skills that athletic trainers use on a daily basis. My preceptor has a good relationship with the athletes and it is great to see how he manages every one of them according to their injury and personality.

Since we do not have any modalities to use at Cardinal Ritter College Prep, most of what we do focuses on injury prevention and rehabilitation with the resources that we have which means that I get to learn what to do if a modality is not available. So far I have been able to see different student- athletes with different injuries. I have helped with their rehab exercises as they approach the return to play stage. It is good to see how a player works with you in order to get stronger throughout the week and then goes on to perform well on their Friday Night football game.

It has truly been a great experience so far and I look forward to learn more and improve my skills throughout this semester.

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.

October 22, 2017

SLU AT Student Learns Through the Support of Preceptor/Alum at Rockwood Summit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School
By: Maggie Rowell (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

I began my first clinical rotation at Rockwood Summit High School. It has approximately 1,200 students and has had great success in their athletics, including 3 state championships in the past year. I was very excited to start working with the athletes and learn more about the profession outside of the classroom.

 I was fortunate enough to be placed with a Saint Louis University Athletic Training Alumnus, Tony Mosello, MAT, ATC, LAT. It is nice to work with an alum because he understands exactly what I am learning, the different tests and techniques we are taught, and adjusts our learning styles in reference to my knowledge set. It has also been nice getting to know the different coaches, athletes, parents, athletic directors, and physicians that we encounter in our day-to-day events.

Rockwood Summit has a wide variety of fall sports such as field hockey, soccer, volleyball, football, and many more. Since there are so many fall sports, there is always someone coming into the Athletic Training room looking for tape, rehab work, injury diagnosis, or help with a therapeutic modality. I have also been exposed to many triage situations. We have dealt with fractures, knee injuries, heart conditions, heat stress, and even a cervical spine injury. At first, it was intimidating to be engulfed in an environment where I may not have the proper skills to confidently have an action plan ready. However, by working with Tony, I was able to step out of my comfort zone and continuously learn through action. It is allowing me to take on new challenges that I would not have learned in the classroom.

Outside of being exposed to new injuries, I have also been exposed to the different, more subtle, responsibilities of an Athletic Trainer. I have learned how to properly keep in close communication with the athletes, parents, and physicians throughout the plan of care. I have learned the importance of developing trust with the athletes by being approachable and relaxed. Lastly, I have learned it is very important to document all aspects of an athlete’s care.

I am excited to continue learning new things as I continue being exposed to the athletic training profession at Rockwood Summit 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.

October 21, 2017

SLU AT Student has Rewarding Experience with the Students and Staff at Triad HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Triad High School
By: Jazmon Carroll (MAT Class of 2019)

Since August, I have had the opportunity to join the athletic training staff and student athletes at Triad High School in Troy, Illinois. I have had the pleasure in observing and learning from Jack Edgar ATC, my preceptor, as we work with Triad Athletics. So far, our main focus has been on football, but I have also been given opportunities to work with individual athletes of other sports as they progress through their injury rehabilitation.

Each day, I arrive about two hours before all practices begin. During this time, I assist in practice prep and preparing the athletes for practice, through taping, modality and manual therapy. After all preparations are finish, I then go out and cover football practice. Typically, you can find me at every football practice, every Varsity football game, every home JV/Freshman football game, and every home soccer game. Being at these events is important because it allows me to not only provide medical assistance when needed, but I am also able to connect and get to know the athletes.
The best day out of the week would definitely have to be game day. Fans fill the stands in excitement as they cheer on their Knights. I can honestly say the Troy community supports their players no matter what. Regardless of the results, they are proud of them.

Ending the game with a victory is thrilling, but for me the most rewarding part would have to be witnessing an injured athlete return to play, and I would say that I have the best seat in the house.

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.

October 20, 2017

SLU AT Students See Their Skills Progressing with the Busy Pace at Affton HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Affton High School
By: Rory Cusack and Chase Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

At Affton High School, with our preceptor Becky Stigen ATC, we have been learning so much so fast!

Within the last 2 months, we have experienced many different types of injuries and have observed different sporting events at each level such as soccer, football, cross country, and more.

Within the last month, we have dealt with several situations in which we have had to send athletes to the hospital, for example, head laceration, fracture dislocation in the ankle, broken nose, and much more. As the semester as progressed, we have improved on our taping and evaluation skills. We are finally able to do real evaluations on the ankle and help figure out rehabilitation programs to help the athletes return to play.

Being at Affton is a great experience for us and we have been enjoying every minute of it. There is never a dull moment and we are continuously learning more and expanding our skill set.

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.

October 19, 2017

SLU AT Student Appreciates How Classroom Learning Integrates with Clinical Experience at Parkway West HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway West High School
By: Cody Hutson (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

During my time at Parkway West High School I have learned greatly about how to present one’s self as well as apply skills that we as students have learned in class. It is important to have confidence as an athletic trainer because while in the high school setting, everything we say will be taken seriously and a building of trust with the athletes is crucial to the healing process.

There are also opportunities to be less serious and can joke around with those around us, but we need to maintain a degree of respect and professionalism. Just because we are dealing with energetic high school athletes does not mean that we can forget who and what we represent and lose sight on the responsibilities given to us while at work.
It is strangely fun being able to go back to the same site every day but returning with a new technique or piece of knowledge that I could wield to be more useful to the athletic trainer that I am studying under. Having the opportunity to use something I was able to learn that day leaves a bigger impression and makes the information easier for me to remember than simply just in the classroom setting.

Being able to gain confidence on a nearly daily basis is a good feeling and I appreciate everything my preceptor Matthew Berning, ATC, the Parkway West staff, and the student athletes have done for me.

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.

October 12, 2017

SLU AT Students Thrive with Veteran Preceptor's Team Approach at Webster Groves HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By: Pat O'Neill (SLU MAT Class of 2018); Dimitri Kilian and Paul Lamb (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Our clinical experience at Webster Groves High School has centered around a team-based approach to caring for a diverse community of athletes across the spectrum of sports. Critical to this team-based approach is communication that allows all voices to be heard, and collaboration that encourages all members of our team to be engaged in the care of our athletes. Our preceptor Sean Wright ATC has cultivated this culture of collaborating to give the best care to an athlete since he started at Webster Groves 10 years ago. 

Sean strengthens this culture by inviting the next generation of athletic trainers, who Sean teaches in his athletic training classes at the high school, into the AT room for observation hours. We have found that athletes who are also in Sean’s athletic training classes have a better understanding of their injuries, and are often more accepting of diagnoses and the rehab protocols that follow. This is unique, as many high school athletes don’t have a similar background in foundational principles of athletic training, and thus are less likely to understand the severity, mechanism, or timetable for their injury. 

During this busy Fall season, we have experienced a wide range of athletic events. Our football and volleyball teams have gotten off to hot starts, while our soccer and softball squads have built upon their successes as they get prepared for postseason play. From Friday night football games to cross-country meets, the chance to see athletes of different sports and different levels has strengthened our knowledge base by reinforcing competencies of Athletic Training that may be practiced in one sport, but not another. 

Day by day, our team at Webster strives to work together to care for our athletes in the best way possible. Sean emboldens each member of our staff to curate confidence in themselves through independent evaluations, while nurturing a team-based atmosphere among our group that’s there to lend an idea or helping hand when needed. With postseason sports on the horizon for fall sports, and winter sports just around the corner, we’re looking forward to more great experiences with the Statesmen!

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.

October 10, 2017

SLU AT Students Get a Multicultural Sports Medicine Experience at Bishop DuBourg High School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School
By: CJ Butler (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Cat Chua (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This semester at Bishop DuBourg High School we have had the opportunity to not only increase our academic knowledge of athletic training but also our cultural knowledge. Initially we worked with Pablo Merino and Juan Miguel Rodriguez Perez, two physiotherapy students from Camilo Jose Cela University in Madrid Spain. They taught us a lot about the differences in medicine in Spain compared to the U.S. and other techniques that we can use to give our patients the best possible care. After Pablo and Juanmi left, two athletic training students from Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland, Jason Kenny and Jordan Finnegan, are with us for the rest of the semester. It has been a great learning experience for both of us to get different viewpoints and practices from these different cultures.
Our preceptor, Nate Jarman, MAT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES/PES, who works at Bishop DuBourg through SSM Health/SLU Hospital, has also helped us learn a lot, especially when it comes to strength and conditioning. He recently started a summer strengthening course for athletes to participate in, which has shown us how year round training affects the athlete’s performance and health. We are constantly quizzed and taught new ideas from Nate who takes a full body approach in the rehabilitation of injured 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.

October 09, 2017

SLU AT Students Enjoy Unique Learning Environment with Staff and Students at Lindenwood-Belleville


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Lindenwood University-Belleville
By: Ben Wildman (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Sarah Menzuber (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This semester, we have joined the Athletic Training staff and students at Lindenwood University-Belleville. We have greatly benefitted from the abundant insight and experience of our many preceptors as we work with the Lynx football team. Our clinical experience has proven to be a unique and dynamic learning environment as we not only learn from our preceptors but also our peers in the Lindenwood-Belleville Athletic Training program. We began the semester in August assisting with football pre-season camp. During camp we learned the importance of recognizing and tending to urgent situations. We also had opportunities to work with individual student-athletes as they progress through the various stages of injuries and rehabilitation. 


Each day we arrive and assist with various duties from rehab to practice prep and then cover football practice. We arrive two hours before practice to begin rehab with the injured student-athletes. Having the opportunity to go to Lindenwood almost every day allows us to get to know the athletes and their injuries thoroughly, which provides us with the knowledge for improved rehab and treatment options. During practice, as an Athletic Training Staff, we oversee the whole field so we can assist any athlete that may need critical attention.  We are also there to provide quick fixes to the athletes, from bandaging a wound to assuring they stay hydrated, so they can return to play. 

Game days are incredibly exciting. We enjoy the energy the Lynx bring to each game and regardless of the result they are proud of the continuing development as a team and program. On game days, the importance of urgency is especially stressed, as the game is fast-paced and athletes, coaches, and fans, are looking for efficient and effective solutions. Also, these days can be very rewarding for both the players and us as athletic training students –whether we take home a win or help an injured athlete return to play to score the winning touchdown. We are looking forward to the next few weeks with home games to cheer on the team! Go Lynx! 

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.

Join SLU AT Faculty and Students for "Monday Night Tweets"



Interact with SLU Athletic Training Program faculty and students on Twitter for "Monday Night Tweets" by following @SLU_AT and using the hashtag #MNTATSLU!

8:00-9:00 pm CT on Mondays, October 16 & November 13th.

October 08, 2017

SLU AT Student Builds Knowledge and Skills in Busy Setting at Parkway Central High School


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway Central High School
By: Bridget Bushong (SLU MAT Class of 2018) 

This school year I am at Parkway Central High School as my final clinical rotation. I am really enjoying my experience at Parkway Central thus far. I have seen many injuries that I have not experienced before. Therefore, I practice evaluation techniques and assessing new injuries and I am becoming more comfortable doing them. 

Parkway Central is a large school with eight fall sports, four winter sports and eight spring sports there is always a lot going on in the athletic training room. My preceptor, Michael Aaron MAT, ATC, is awesome at giving me opportunities to practice new things. It’s great because he is a SLU alum so he’s a great resource for things relating to classes as well as being at Parkway Central.

I aspire to work in the high school setting so this experience is showing me everything that an AT does in the high school. We see a wide range of injuries and complaints from athletes so it keeps me on my toes for whatever is going to happen next. The athletic training room has limited modalities so a lot of the stuff we do is hands on. This has helped me develop my rehab skills and adapt to how a patient is responding to the treatment we are doing with them. It’s satisfying to see that my treatment helps an athlete to feel better and challenges me when something may not work how I originally thought it would. 

I cannot wait to see what the rest of this school year holds for me at Parkway Central.

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.

October 07, 2017

SLU AT Students Enjoy Learning in the Collaborative Environment at Washington University


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University in St. Louis Athletics
By: Jenna Ginsberg and Mike Milek (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Danielle Jabcyznski and Jesse Schmitt (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Washington University has been a very impactful experience so far. Being able to work with such an experienced preceptor, Rick Larsen ATC, along with three other ATC’s, including recent SLU graduate Bailey Draheim MAT, ATC, has been great for our collaborative problem solving skills. The PY1’s developing skillset is challenged and growing everyday, and the PY2’s are held to very high standards of accountability in the day-to-day work of caring for the football team. 

Being with the football team provides constant opportunity for improvement in our ability to provide acute and emergency care, rehabilitation, and administrative/organizational skills. The university setting also allows us to practice with an abundance of great resources such as laser therapy and hydrotherapy in the form of an underwater treadmill. 

The sports medicine team at Washington University is vast, which allows us as students to witness great teamwork and interprofessional care between physicians, chiropractors, and other heath care professionals in addition to the athletic training staff. Rick Larsen and the rest of the athletic training team have created a very efficient system in which the coaches and athletes have great respect for what the AT’s do. Working in this environment as students has been and will continue to be great for our professional development.  
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.

October 06, 2017

SLU AT Students Benefit from the Team Approach to Health Care at John Burroughs School


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School
By: Caitlin Gibson (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Adam Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Our clinical site at John Burroughs has provided us with an enriching environment where we have been able to further develop and refine our skills as athletic training students. Under the supervision and direction of Dean Tiffany ATC, the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director at JBS, new elements of learning take place every day. John Burroughs is a high school setting (grades 7-12), which requires its students to partake in a sport during their curriculum. With this setup, there are numerous opportunities to observe, assess and provide treatment/rehabilitation programs to a range of adolescent athletes playing a variety of sports. 
Starting in the latter part of July, we began with football mini-camp and in the following weeks, added to our list of fall sports including: cross country, field hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and golf. While each sport has its specific demands, it is the constant influx of varying athletes which provides its challenges to provide appropriate treatment. Having a team consisting of an athletic trainer, athletic training students, on-site nurse, and physician on-call, provides us the opportunity to learn from these disciplines and give each student well rounded care. 
We have a consistent schedule Monday through Saturday, with responsibilities consisting of prepping waters/Gatorade, injury ice, field setup, treatments, administrative duties, and practice/game medical coverage. This requires team efficiency to ensure that our athletes are being seen and treated adequately and on schedule. We have a good relationship with Dean, our preceptor, while each day can be demanding physically and mentally, we try to keep a fun, lively environment within the athletic training room. 

Overall, from taping techniques, physical evaluation, rehab programming, communication with coaching staff, and learning the nuances of each athlete, JBS provides a challenging environment in which we have been able to elevate our level of competency, in preparation of being certified athletic trainers. 

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.

October 05, 2017

SLU AT Students Appreciate the Opportunity to Gain Clinical Experience with Billiken Athletics


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics
By: Ryan Dale and Donielle Francis (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

We have the privilege of being placed at Saint Louis University for our PY2 Clinical site. We are currently in the midst of the fall season here at SLU and Donielle is assisting mainly with women’s soccer with Lizzy Kienstra, MAT, ATC, and Ryan is assisting primarily with men’s soccer with preceptor Ben Heimos, ATC. This placement has afforded us the opportunity to work in a collegiate Division 1 setting and be exposed to a diverse group of athletes. 


Donielle: This year I get to learn from preceptor Lizzy Kienstra, a SLU MAT grad. I am assisting her with the Women’s Soccer team, which is currently in season, as well as assisting the Women’s Basketball and Swimming and Diving Teams as they prepare for their upcoming seasons. I have been able to assist Lizzy in all aspects of injury evaluation, treatments and rehab plans. This has given me great hands on experience and instant feedback which is helping me feel more and more confident in my abilities. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year to continue to hone my skills at SLU!

Ryan: I have the incredible opportunity with Ben Heimos, ATC and the Saint Louis University Men’s Soccer team. Being able to assist the Athletics Department that I once represented as an athlete is an honor. My experience has been truly great so far; I like the increased responsibility, and ability to be hands-on to practice my skills. Ben allows me to work within all the domains of athletic training, and the athletes trust me to provide them with the best possible care. I have also enjoyed working with and learning from all the other ATs at Chaifetz. I am excited to continue to grow as an Athletic Trainer alongside so many knowledgeable mentors.

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.

October 04, 2017

SLU AT Student Advances Clinical Skills with Preceptor/Alum at DeSmet Jesuit and Mercy Sports Medicine


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - DeSmet Jesuit High School
By: Alex Hubbs (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

Gaining clinical experience with De Smet Jesuit High School under Mercy Sports Medicine preceptor Dan Herrin MAT, ATC has been a terrific start to the final year in the MAT program. Focusing mostly on soccer and football, I have been able to continue to develop my skills in evaluating orthopedic injury, as well as rehabilitating the injured athlete. De Smet provides ample opportunity to work with a variety of athletes, and their community focus has been a welcoming experience. 

The ability to focus on mostly soccer and football have also helped to further advance my skills in emergency management. Dan has been a valuable asset in these situations, allowing me to learn both through observation and with hands-on experience. Dan’s professionalism and candor with his athletes is a trait I highly respect, and hope to carry in to my own practice. His guidance throughout the clinical experience has been advantageous towards developing the skills necessary to become an exceptional health care provider. 
Operating under a Mercy Sports Medicine preceptor again has allowed me to understand how the everyday operations within the sports medicine team help to provide the best care possible for all athletes.  I am thankful for the opportunity to grow clinically not only with Mercy, but also with De Smet 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.