April 30, 2018

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Finds Inspiration from AT's at her Alma Mater - Stagg HS in Chicago

New AT Student Blog Post - Allison Stefan (SLU MAT Class of 2020) 

I am a junior student in the SLU AT Program from Chicago. As time is winding down in my pre-professional portion of the program and the professional phase fast approaches, I am looking forward to my future endeavors. In the past three years I have gained valuable knowledge from the great opportunities I have experienced in our program. From direct observation hours at Track Meets here at SLU to touring the Cardinals Athletic Training room, I feel I am prepared to take on the professional phase starting this summer. 

One memory that has motivated me to keep pushing through, is over spring break I returned to my high school to observe Certified Athletic Trainers, Kat Hermanas ATC, Reggie Castillo ATC, and Sharon West ATC at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. It was such an amazing feeling coming back to the Athletic Training room I once was treated at as a student-athlete and where I realized what I wanted to do with my life. The rush of student-athletes crowding the Athletic Training room when the sound of the last bell rang brought back a flood of meaningful memories.


Over the course of the week, Reggie, Kat and Sharon enlightened me of new techniques that they implement in practice. From observing multiple ankle and knee tapings for the girls’ soccer team, to icing sore shoulders of the baseball players, and rehab/ strengthening program for an ACL tear recovery, I got to witness multiple tasks I will be doing in the future at my clinical sites.  Kat, Reggie, and Sharon demonstrated great practice by having the student-athlete repeat back the instructions they provided them, taking good SOAP notes for documentation, and having the injured student-athletes complete rehab notes pages logging the exercises they were doing. 

I had a wonderful time spending a full week in an Athletic Training setting which was a promising feeling that I chose the right path for a career. I got to play around with different types of tape/ equipment, observe strengthening and stretching techniques, and ask questions about how the AT got to where they were today, all things we have been practicing these past three years. My favorite was when the student-athletes would come up to me and ask me about their injury. Even though I couldn’t help the student-athletes at that point, knowing that I will be able to assist in the near future was encouraging. 

Overall, I could not have asked to observe better AT’s during my direct observation week at Stagg High School. I am both eager and nervous starting the professional phase in a few short weeks, but look forward to continuing down the path to reach my career goal as an Athletic Trainer. 

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

April 29, 2018

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Gets Eye-Opening Look into Her Future as an Athletic Trainer

New AT Student Blog Post - Caitlyn Thomas (SLU MAT Class of 2020)  

I am wrapping up my third year in the SLU Athletic Training program, and this year has been eye-opening in terms of my future as an Athletic Trainer.

I was able to participate in Direct Observation hours, which was super helpful in gaining a little bit of a better understanding of what I am about to get myself into next year with Clinical Practicum, and potentially what my future career could look like. I was fortunate enough to get hours at Fontbonne University, John Burroughs School, a SLU club hockey event, the NCAA and SEC Gymnastics Championships, and the NCAA Bowling Championships.

My favorite places that I went and got direct observation hours at were John Burroughs Scool, and the Gymnastics Championships. At JBS, Caitlin Gibson (PY2) and Danielle Jabczynski (PY1) offered me so much advice on how to approach my upcoming classes, they walked me through why they did what they did when treating an athlete, and they told me about their different experiences at other clinical sites. During the Gymnastics Championships, I was able to hangout in the Athletic Training tent and observe our SLU PY students, as well as different team’s Athletic Trainers, provide care to the gymnasts. I loved the atmosphere of the gymnastics events, and would potentially be interested in working with gymnasts in my future.

I am anxious/excited/nervous about the upcoming semesters in the SLU AT program. So far, I feel like my classes have prepared me to succeed, but it’s going to be a whole new experience to be starting clinical in the fall and finally getting some hands-on experience. First off, however, I have to take the so-called “hardest class” of our program: Gross Anatomy. I’m nervous and excited at the same time for that class. I know I won’t have much of a Summer, but at least I’ll be putting in work along with my fellow classmates.

Here’s to the future!

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

April 27, 2018

SLU Pre-Professional AT Student Reunites with her High School AT's to Prepare for Professional Coursework


New AT Student Blog Post - Hannah Daily (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

I am a current junior in the SLU Athletic Training program. Throughout my past three years of the program I have engaged in numerous science courses including: organic chemistry, physics and exercise physiology. This program has allowed me to explore much of what SLU has to offer through sciences as well as elective courses in which I have been able to obtain a minor in Spanish and concentration in IPE. Before enduring the upcoming professional years of the program, I have also been able to enjoy the city of St. Louis in my spare time by going to countless festivals, tourist attractions and local eateries near campus. I have also been able to experience the MoATA conference and be a part of the SLATS executive board as class representative. Thus far this program has been challenging yet rewarding and this semester I have been able to get a taste of what the upcoming years have to offer.

During this spring semester I have been lucky enough to observe a few different clinical sites including: Webster Groves High School, NCAA Bowling and SLU Track and Field. These sites have helped to gear my idea as to what type of athlete I want to work with later on in life. In particular, over my spring break I was able to meet with Central Illinois athletic trainers Matt Munjoy ATC and Brie Cimino ATC who let me tag along during the week. Brie is the head athletic trainer at Central A&M high school where she has been able to form close relationships with her athletes as well as the great administrative staff and team coaches. She showed me the ropes of what it is like to be a certified athletic trainer and work with high school athletes during the after-school rush and long evenings at sporting events. Through this experience I formed great connections with Matt and Brie while learning about the small town high school experience. 

This was a great opportunity and I am looking forward to my last two years as a professional phase student in the SLU AT program.

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

April 05, 2018

SLU AT Program Advisory Board Plays an Important Role in Strategic Planning

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program has a Program Advisory Board of 12 external community stakeholders that has a valuable role in program improvement.  Currently the SLU Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, the Athletic Training Program and the Program in Physical Therapy are engaging in department and program level strategic planning facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Giancola.

On the evening of April 4, 2018, the AT Program Advisory Board participated in this process and provided valuable feedback through a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) Analysis activity.


2017-2018 SLU AT Program Advisory Board

Matt Bayes, M.D. - Bluetail Medical Group (community & clinical partner)
Jonathan Burch, ATC - Saint Louis University - Department of Athletics (clinical partner)
Julie Davitz, MHS, PT, ATC  - SSM (alum & community partner)
Scott Kaar, M.D. - Saint Louis University – SSM/SLUCare Sports Medicine (community partner)
Rick Larsen, MS, ATC - Washington University (community & clinical partner)
Aaron McBride, MPT, ATC - Apex Network Physical Therapy (community partner)
Jason Muchow, MHA, ATC - Mercy Sports Medicine (community & clinical partner)
Paul Nativi, DMD - Nikodem Dental & Saint Louis University, Team Dentist  (community partner)
Laura O’Connor, MPT, OCS - Athletico (alum & community partner)
Mike Overturf, ATC, PES - Athletico (community & clinical partner)
Fred Shinn, MS, PT - ATI Physical Therapy (community & clinical partner)
Becky Stigen MS, ATC - Affton High School (community & clinical partner)
L. Tyler Wadsworth, M.D. - SLU Athletic Training Program Medical Director

April 04, 2018

SLU AT Students Enjoy Contributing to a Championship Season at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By:  Matt Eifert and Sarah Menzuber (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Webster Groves High School is filled with a variety of competitive athletes and a supportive community behind them. The basketball team’s success over the last decade has paved a road for future champions and opened the gym doors to a growing fanbase.  Our preceptor Sean Wright ATC ensures that these high schoolers perform to their fullest extent.

Most times the athletic training room can be cramped with athletes of all shapes, sizes, and levels of competition.  Working with WGHS students is a rewarding experience, the AT Room is always filled with injured athletes and their entourage after school. The players adhere to rehab plans; knowing that the AT staff is looking out for their best interests. The  men’s basketball team started districts at the beginning of March, and repeated as state champions!

All while enjoying the excitement of districts, spring sports just started up as well.  We are excited to meet new athletes and watch their programs succeed.  We have been working with a lot of athletes on preseason injury prevention and treatment, so they can be well conditioned to produce optimal performance.  These high school athletes have been amazing to work with and create relationships with.  They are all very motivated to rehab their injuries and return to play as soon as possible, which makes our job exciting and well worth the time put in.

Learning from Sean has also been a great experience, and we know we will leave Webster Groves at the end of the semester with new skills and perspectives to help us grow in our knowledge and confidence as Athletic Training students.

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.