March 27, 2020

SLU AT Students Value Learning Opportunities Provided by Preceptor at Fontbonne University


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Fontbonne University
By: Carmen Roberson (SLU MAT Class of 2020) and Gabby Herod (SLU MAT Class of 2021)

Our experience at Fontbonne University has been very rewarding. We have had the pleasure of learning from my preceptor, SLU Alum Ann Schmerbauch MAT, ATC, and two graduate assistant Athletic Trainers who completed their Athletic Training programs at Mizzou. Since Ann is the only full-time AT at Fontbonne, We have been able to engage in clinical practice with a variety of sports teams.

This has granted us the opportunity to learn and take on new challenges from different athletes. We have learned how to do a lot with a little in terms of AT resources and I have learned the importance of gaining positive relationships with athletes. At Fontbonne, we are provided with a lot of hands-on time with athletes implementing rehab protocols, using therapeutic modalities, and practicing manual techniques. 

Carmen Roberson
My experience at Fontbonne has been awesome. I feel very confident in my skillsets at this point of my journey as an Athletic Training Student. Being at Fontbonne has given me the opportunity to learn and grow even more in preparation for the BOC exam. Ann provides me with a lot of hands-on time with athletes and is always encouraging me to take on new challenges.

Gabby Herod
During my time at Fontbonne so far, I have treated athletes from Women’s and Men’s basketball, Men’s volleyball, Track, and Softball. Being at a NCAA Division III university has given me the chance to have close relationships with each athlete. I primarily assess new injuries and design rehabilitation programs for different and pre-existing issues. 

I believe that being at Fontbonne University gives me the necessary time to give quality care to each athlete and that is why I love it so much. Carmen is also at Fontbonne for her year clinical rotation. I love having a PY2 with me this semester. She gives me so much great advice that I have been really needing lately. Ann has also given me so much insight on how to demonstrate my skills in the best way each 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 26, 2020

SLU AT Student's Confidence Grows through Clinical Experience at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By: Abby Hoffman (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

The second half of my year-long clinical rotation has given me an immersive experience in basketball and wrestling, which are two sports I didn’t get much exposure to at my other clinical sites. I have enjoyed these two sports because I’ve learned more ways to create rehabilitation programs and return to play criteria that are more sports specific. I feel more confident in my abilities to help an athlete get stronger and return to their sport within an appropriate amount of time.

A year ago, I remember myself feeling incapable to create a relevant rehab program and assess whether or not an athlete was ready to return. Seeing where I am today with my skill level as well as seeing my growth makes me confident and excited for the future.


I look forward to going to Webster every day and gaining knowledge from new experiences while also doing the tasks I’ve done many times before to help perfect my practice. Of course, the biggest worry I have right now is taking the Board of Certification exam, however, I know that learninf from my preceptor Sean Wright ATC at Webster and practicing the skills I’ve learned throughout my education are helping me “study”.

There’s so much more than entry level information that a student can learn from their preceptor and clinical site. I am appreciative of the opportunity I have to acquire proficiency and competence.

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 25, 2020

SLU AT Students Experience a Dynamic and Collaborative Learning Environment with Billiken Athletics

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Billiken Athletics
By: Caitlyn Thomas, Maria Lingardo, Gwyn Brown, Courtney Nall, Becca McGrail, Justin Durham (SLU MAT Class of 2020) and Josh Hicks, Jose Blanco, Kate Perko, Iris Herrera (Class of 2021)

Being at SLU is a unique experience because of the collaboration between multiple preceptors and students. Even though each preceptor is paired with a student, the students get the opportunity to work together while evaluating patients in the clinic. All of the preceptors have assigned sports, so we get the chance to interact mostly with the sports our preceptors manage. However, when in the clinic, we get the opportunity to help out with treatments of all the athletes, as needed. Every preceptor has a different style of treating; this has given the students multiple exposures to various modes of treatment depending on the injuries. Having this variation is a great way for the students to be exposed to the versatility of athletic training. Another great aspect of SLU is the amount of different health care professionals we have the opportunity to engage with. We can work with strength and conditioning specialists, physicians, physical therapists, and registered dietitians to aide in providing quality care to the athletes.



Courtney Nall and Iris Herrera with preceptor Angie Bradley, ATC: 
We have really enjoyed our clinical experience this semester with the SLU women’s soccer and track and field teams. Our preceptor Angie Bradley, ATC has an immense amount of knowledge and experience and we are grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her. We also appreciate how we can consult other students and preceptors but we still feel like we have plenty to do because there are only 2-3 students per sport.

Justin Durham with preceptor Ben Heimos ATC: 
SLU has been a great clinical experience that has allowed me to get a lot of hands on experience and get to know many great people. Ben has been a great preceptor; he gives me the opportunity to practice my skills everyday and if I ever have a question he is always there to help.

Caitlyn Thomas and Jose Blanco with preceptor Petra Knight, MS, ATC, CES: 
Getting clinical experience with Petra Knight and Women’s Basketball, Field Hockey, and Cross Country at SLU has been enlightening. Petra allows us to be very hands-on with the athletes, and our confidence has sky-rocketed because of that.


Maria Lingardo, Gwyn Brown and Josh Hicks with preceptor Jonathan Burch ATC: 
Our preceptor, Jonathan Burch, makes the clinical site a fun place to learn. Working with other PY1 students is a great way to transfer class material into real world experience. All of the PY2 students and Certified Athletic Trainers are very helpful and enjoy sharing their knowledge with the PY1 students. It is a great atmosphere to get the most out of the clinical experience.

Becca McGrail and Kate Perko with preceptor Elena Melillo. MA, ATC: 
We have really enjoyed having Elena as our preceptor this semester at SLU. Elena covers the softball, volleyball, and women’s swim team. Being a young professional, she is able to give me and the other graduate students doing clinicals at SLU great incite into the transition from being students to 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.

March 24, 2020

SLU AT Students from Multiple Levels Learn in an Interprofessional Context at John Burroughs School


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School
By: Hannah Daily (SLU MAT Class of 2020) and Maddie Bozych (SLU MAT Class of 2021)

John Burroughs is such a fantastic place to be for an athletic training student. As a school, they are a 7th-12th grade institution that has a holistic approach to education with pride in their high rigor academics and extracurricular activities. The athletic mission at JBS is “to champion character through athletics so that we cultivate holistic growth in self and community” which shines through in their policy that the student must be in a sport every season, or be in a weight lifting program. 


The facilities at JBS cannot be beat for a secondary school. The athletic training room is connected to the nurses office, which cultivates a great opportunity for interprofessional work between the two, which is vital at the high school level. They have many modalities like heat, whirlpool, electrical stim and ultrasound. They also have many great tools for rehab as well. 

Dean Tiffany ATC is the head athletic trainer at John Burroughs. Dean has taught us great taping techniques, the importance of good evaluation and special test skills, and we even got to play around with cupping. Along with being the head AT, he is the wrestling coach and assistant athletic director. Dean has shown through all his responsibilities, what directions you can take in this profession and it is really exciting to see all the opportunities you could have if you work hard enough! 
The winter was quite busy at JBS with basketball, wrestling and swimming in full swing. Brian Bounds has filled in as AT throughout the winter while Dean has been coaching. He is an athletic trainer through Mercy and has experience with professional soccer. Brian has shown us a lot that he has learned throughout his career, especially manual techniques. There is a great relationship between PY1 and PY2 here. We have to work together on a lot of the athletes and put both of our knowledge together to find the best for the patient. JBS is a great place for the PY2 to step up and show their role as a mentor to the PY1. 

Dean has cultivated great relationships with everyone at the school, and there is a lot of respect for him and the athletic training students. Everyone I have encountered at JBS has been amazing. The Athletic director, Peter Tasker, is so welcoming and great towards us. The coaches are all amazing in giving us their full cooperation and trust while treating the athletes. The students are fantastic and are used to having SLU students, so they are quick to open up, very respectful, and will do any treatment or rehab we ask of them. 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 22, 2020

SLU AT Student Appreciates Unique Role of Alum in Preceptor at Fort Zumwalt South HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Fort Zumwalt South High School
By: Cheyenne Meinershagen (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

I am spending the last semester of my clinical experience under the leadership of my preceptor, Athletico AT and SLU MAT Class of 2015 graduate Josh Harris MAT, ATC. 


Having a former SLU student as a preceptor has been amazing for me because Josh understands the program and the expectations placed on us and holds myself, my evaluations, and my skills to a high standard. 


Josh has given me autonomy in the AT Room to initially manage all cases that walk through the door from initial evaluation, treatment, rehab, to return to play. Having a preceptor not only confident in their abilities, but mine has made my final semester at SLU everything I hoped it would be. 

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 21, 2020

SLU AT Student Broadens His Clinical Skills at Bishop DuBourg High School


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School
By: Joey Wenzl (SLU MAT Class of 2021)

This semester at Bishop DuBourg High School, I have been immersed in the high school setting. Initially I was a little concerned about how I would adapt coming from Washington University that had just about every modality to a place that had only ice. However, I have learned that there are many ways to solve the problems with other techniques that don’t involve the use of modalities. 


This has helped me gain confidence with what I can do and how I learn. This has also could be useful in the future as I start looking for a job, knowing it doesn’t matter if the place has all the fancy equipment to use. Nate has shown me manual techniques that he uses that make working without the modalities effective. I have started to pick up on some of them as we have progressed through the semester and as they have matched up with the coursework. 


If I have questions about anything my preceptor, SSM Health Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Nate Jarman ATC is a wonderful person to ask. He is knowledgeable in many subjects and is willing to answer my questions. He also quizzes me which keeps me on my toes. If he’s working on someone and it isn’t that busy, he’ll ask questions about what he’s doing or the structures he’s working on and how that all relates and why that caused the injury or condition that has the person coming in to see us that 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 20, 2020

SLU AT Students Appreciate Learning with Multiple Preceptors at SIU-Edwardsville


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
By: Conner Mongoven and Rachel Wilhelm (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

After completing our rotations with the women’s soccer and volleyball teams, the both of us moved on to being with the men’s and women’s basketball teams. We are fortunate to be able to continue moving around within the athletics and sports medicine departments which allows us to gain more experience with different certified Athletic Trainers and different sports. These opportunities are beneficial and integral to building our foundations and they are helpful as we will soon transition into certified professional practice.


Conner: 
This semester I have been with the men’s basketball team. I was excited to get my first experience with a college basketball team, and it was cool to do so at the Division I level. The Athletic Trainer for men’s basketball is James Mays, ATC. He has been at SIUe for 13 years and therefore had a lot to offer as my preceptor. In addition to getting to practice and learn more about evaluations, treatments and rehabilitation programs around this team, I was able to gain a lot of knowledge about the relationship between the Athletic Trainers and the Strength and Conditioning Coaches from James. He discussed with me how they work together and coordinate rehab plans and return to play protocols to ensure the best care and safety for the athletes. After basketball I will be returning to be with the women’s soccer and volleyball teams as I enjoyed them in the Fall.

Rachel: 
The sport I have spent most of my time with this semester is women’s basketball. I came in very excited to be with the team due to my growing interest in the sport and my goal of working with teams in the future. The Athletic Trainer for the women’s basketball team is Gerry Schlemer, ATC.  He is also the Head Athletic Trainer and has a lot of knowledge and experience under his belt that he is always willing to share with me. I was able to gain a lot of clinical experience with him as my preceptor. With this team I was able to practice my skills in completing musculoskeletal evaluations, using therapeutic modalities, and creating and teaching rehab protocols to athletes. With basketball season being over, I will now switch to help with the softball team with their Athletic Trainer, David Londo, ATC, who is a Graduate Assistant at SIUe. I have little experience with softball, so I am looking forward to all that I will be able to learn in my final clinical rotation.

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 19, 2020

SLU AT Student Enjoys the Continuity of a Year-long Clinical Experience at Westminster Christian Academy


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy 
By: Alejandra Chavez (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

My time at Westminster Christian Academy has been great! It’s been awesome getting to be at the same clinical site for more than one semester because I have been able to spend more time with the same group of athletes. My time at WCA feels like it is flying by so quickly and it is hard to believe I have only a few more months left until I finish my last clinical rotation.

One of my favorite parts about being at WCA has been how kind and welcoming everyone has been from the beginning. The WCA family have truly made me feel like an integral part of the team. Being at the high school setting has provided me with many experiences that has pushed me to be more creative and take new approaches to the treatment of injuries because of the limited supplies and equipment compared to other settings, which is one of the primary reasons why I chose to be at this setting for my PY2 rotation. Although being at the high school setting can be chaotic at times, it has taught me many valuable skills that I know I will take with me as I begin my career as an athletic trainer.


Learning from Mercy Sports Medicine AT and SLU Alum Katherine Love ATC has been an amazing experience as well. She has taught me a lot and has helped me gain a lot more confidence in my skills. She’s encouraging, allows me to be very independent and is always open to answering any questions I have. I feel very lucky to have her as my preceptor and I value the relationship I have with her.

Overall, I am extremely thankful for the experience I have had at WCA. This experience has helped me to grow a lot personally and professionally and I am excited for what’s to come in the final few months I have at WCA.

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 18, 2020

Tips for the Transition to On-line and Remote Learning


Saint Louis University Athletic Training faculty member Dr. Kitty Newsham provides some great advice for students and faculty transitioning to remote and on-line learning.

1. Stick with your routine.
Just because you're not commuting and going into a classroom doesn't mean you should skip your school-day morning preparations. Wake up at your normal time, shower, and get dressed in real clothes – put shoes on. It may sound trivial, but this helps you mentally prepare for the day ahead and get into the "I'm going to class" mindset. It also lets others in your house know that you have something important on your schedule. Your ‘live’ or synchronous classes will be scheduled. You should designate a regular time for your asynchronous classes that is effective, not just convenient. Keep in mind that the work did not get ‘easier’ because it went on-line; don’t speed through the assignments

2. Create a work space
Although it might be tempting to head to your couch, you're better off setting up a study station. If you don't have a designated study station/office, you might use your dining room or kitchen table if appropriate. Sit in a chair with your feet on the floor; this may help you feel like you are in a ‘class’. It is very important to avoid busy areas where distractions are likely. Also, consider the background if you will need to turn your computer camera on.  If you can arrange to be behind a closed door to minimize distractions, do it!

3. Don’t sit all day; get some fresh air.
Sitting all day isn't healthy even if you're on campus, but distance courses means you skip your commute and might have fewer reasons to get up from your chair throughout the day. You can set your work space up as a ‘standing desk’ if you prefer, but you should stand up regularly to stretch or move around.

Take advantage of the extra time you’ve gained from not commuting, it's a good opportunity to exercise, either working out at home or going for a walk outside. Since you are encouraged to stay home, you're likely to spend a lot of time indoors. Open your blinds/shades and windows to let in natural daylight and fresh air if you can. If you can get outdoors for a walk or run, keep your distance from others — and be sure to wash your hands as soon as you return home.

4. Stay connected with your classmates and instructors.
If you work on a group project, make sure to check in regularly just like you would on-campus. Create lists to keep yourself organized and focused. Share this list with your “study buddy” if that will keep you accountable. Use technology to keep in touch with you classmates and instructors - - more than just email or messaging, make phone or video calls to get answers to the questions that might require some back and forth. Asking questions is probably more important now than ever.

5. Fight the urge to multitask.
This may seem like a convenient time to catch up on chores around the house, but it's easier than you'd expect to get distracted. Taking a break is OK, but don’t let chores distract you at the wrong time. Your designated class time for asynchronous classes is not the time to straighten up, start a load of laundry, or begin a game session.

The same goes for other distractions. Ignore your phone and email during ‘class time’. Don’t leave your TV on, even if it's just background noise; the visual distraction is too much. Schedule breaks in the day to take care of chores or electronic entertainment. Don’t get sucked into social media, especially during designated class time.

6. If you share living space, prepare for disruptions.
It might be hard to get work done if you share your home, but even harder with people who do not have your same responsibilities. It is important to plan and have some flexibility. Work around others’ schedules as much as you can. Give them space, and ask them to give you space to complete your work.  Use headphones, especially during synchronous class sessions.

March 17, 2020

SLU AT Students Appreciate the Community's Contribution to their Clinical Growth at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University in St. Louis Athletics
By: Allison Stefan and Mitchell Buerck (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

This spring semester at Washington University, with basketball season and winter sports coming to an end and spring sports starting up, the athletic training room has kept us very busy. Our preceptors, Grant Rohrig MAT, ATC, Jim Anderson BS, ATC, and Mary Collins MAT, ATC, have given us way more responsibility in the athletic training room, as well as, some autonomy to make decisions regarding the care of the athletes.

Something we both have enjoyed this semester is helping the same athletes through-out their rehabilitation programs. Both of us have our own athletes that we see daily and have progressed toward the goal of returning the athlete to play. We have definitely seen major improvements in our rehabilitation skills and coming up with programs that coincide with which stage of the healing process the athlete is in. In addition, we have managed some pretty interesting injuries this semester, including an athlete fracturing three metacarpal bones from a direct blow of a thigh, a broken nose, and another torn ACL.


This semester has been very rewarding for the both of us because the athletes have seen us every day and now feel very comfortable coming to us for things. We have made a deeper connection with athletes from multiple teams and the trust they have in us is developing more and more each week.

We also have established a wholesome relationship with many of the coaches at WashU. With the tragedy of the passing of longtime WashU Head Athletic Trainer Rick Larsen ATC, the athletic department has really come together as a community. They have include us in the support and we both feel very appreciated at WashU. We are looking forward to getting back outside this spring and continuing helping the athletes through their injuries.

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 16, 2020

SLU AT Student Appreciates Preceptor's Support in Her Professional Development


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School
By: Emma Yonkers (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

I keep telling myself this is the home stretch and it feels bittersweet. I am lucky to be able to finish my college career at such a great clinical site like Rockwood Summit. Winter sports are winding down and there is a lull in the madness. It won’t last long, however. Spring sports are on the horizon, which means more long days, cold nights on the sidelines for soccer, and shivering, despite wearing what feels like a dozen layers, in the Gator watching baseball. I am really excited to wrap up my time here with so many wonderful experiences under my belt, knowing I gave it my best.

Winter sports were filled with some common conditions like sprained ankles, skin infections in wrestlers, and jammed fingers in basketball players. I have also had experience managing some less common conditions. The most interesting acute injury I have seen this season was a dislocated elbow. Seeing a gross deformity like that and understanding what needs to be done in that moment is a really good feeling. You know that athlete is scared and unsure of what is going to happen, so being the person who can take charge and help makes all the hard work and long nights worth it.


The independence and trust that I have earned at Summit have allowed me to understand how to navigate my transition to practice. Knowing that soon, I will be able to remove the “student” title from my name and be able to say I am an athletic trainer is the best feeling ever. Balancing schoolwork, clinical, and studying for the board exam has proven difficult but not impossible. I am grateful to have an awesome preceptor, SLU alum and Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Tony Mosello MAT, ATC, who supports my learning and respects my time so I can manage everything and still take care of myself. His mentorship has made me excited for what is coming next, but is also a good reminder to live in the moment and focus on using what I know to continue improving.

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, 2020

Interprofessional Collaboration in International Sports Science and Sports Medicine Survey

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY - Recruitment Statement for Research Participation

1.     Dr. Anthony Breitbach and Dr. Gert Ulrich are inviting you to participate in this research study. You are being asked to participate in this research study because you are a sports science and/or sports medicine professional.

2.     The title of this study is “International perspectives on interprofessional collaboration and learning in sports science and sports medicine”. The purpose of this study is to get more insight to the intersection of interprofessional collaboration/education in sport science and sports medicine.

3.     Your participation in this study will involve completion of anonymous on-line survey and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The survey is conducted in the English language.

4.     The risks to you as a participant are minimal. These include loss of anonymity. However, to protect your anonymity, no identifying information will be requested or collected.

5.     The results of this study may be published in scientific research journals or presented at professional conferences. However, your name and identity will not be revealed and your record will remain anonymous.

6.     Participation in this study will not benefit you directly. Your participation may benefit others by improving the understanding and practice of interprofessional collaboration in sports science and sports medicine.

7.     You can choose not to participate. If you decide not to participate, there will not be a penalty to  you or loss of any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. You may withdraw from this study at any time.

8.     If you have questions about this research study, you can call Dr. Anthony Breitbach at 314-977- 8654. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, you can call the Saint Louis University Institutional Review Board at 314-977-7744 and reference IRB #30950.

Follow this link to access the survey:
https://slu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d3St2T3OYQTIGDX