UCJC Student Reflects on International Clinical Exchange Experience at Saint Louis University

SLU AT International Clinical Exchange Spotlight - Universidad Camilo Jose Cela (Madrid)

By: Ramon Morales (UCJC Class of 2022)

As an international student from UCJC - Universidad Camilo Jose Cela Madrid -Spain. In my last clinical internship at Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program, I was immersed in the University's sports medical system (Chaifetz Arena sports medicine clinic) and High School (Webster Groves High School). I was given the instruction and practical clinical in athletic training with an intensive and continuous training process. The clinical rotation period in two different athletic training departments gave me a level of knowledge and approach to the injured athlete in the USA's day- to-day competitive and training sports at two different educational levels of athletes.

My first assignment at the Chaifetz Arena SLU Sports Medicine and Athletic Training department under my preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC, represented two main things during my experience. One was taught by a great professional with daily dedication and facilitation, patiently coordinating at the same time the set of professionals who were dedicated to reinforcing and complementing my reasonable period in different clinical cases. In that way, I could then receive practice and clinical approach in softball, Volleyball, cross county and swimming, and women's basketball and field hockey with Elena Melillo ATC and Maddie Bozych ATC. My preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC, was daily interested in reinforcing my clinical practice in the evaluation and specific treatment of the athlete, the interpretation and exploration of the rehabilitation programs, and in my learning in the use of the highest technology of the department (ALTER-G anti-gravity treadmill equipment, Laser, HiVAmat high frequency, Hydrotherapy treadmill, Game-ready, stim modalities, etc.,) as well as manual or instrumental techniques of daily application (Graston technique, Vacuum Cup, etc.). Also, the practice in the coverage and preparation of sports practices within the whole spectrum of Athletic Training.

From the beginning, the team led by SLU Head Athletic Trainer Johnathan Burch, ATC, gave me a warm welcome and worked with me based on getting the best experience. Immediately, colleagues such as Mike Markee, PT, ATC were concerned about incorporating observation and practical participation in important post-operative cases (ACL- Meniscus- Achilles' tendon repair), receiving updated scientific information and encouraging me to participate.

My second clinical sports rotation at Webster Groves High School was equally exceptional and exciting, guided and well received by a stimulating person, my preceptor Sean Wright, ATC. With the confidence previously gotten, I went directly to the clinical action, interaction, and immediate decision in clinical cases at the initial prevention level. Acute injuries in children and adolescents in plenty bone maturity, multiple patients, being my preceptor next to me asking me what you suggest and what you propose? Telling me; Perfect, ok go ahead, in full therapeutic action using your manual therapeutic and interpretative skills. It was a tremendous responsibility to give a solution to each case, besides having my colleagues students Alex Smith and Giovanna Charles (MAT Class of 2023). They bought their experience and daily support in practice collaborating with me at all times.

At the end of my experience as an international student, I feel like I must finally say it!!!! I have learned about the USA's institutional and administrative clinical management of ATs. The SLU and its Athletic Training program is a high-level institution where one feels protected with an exceptional and intensive agenda that immediately surrounds you, giving you multiple practical and educational tools. All its staff is attentive to you, making the most of your stay. I feel very grateful to all of you. Thank you, SLU, Professors Anthony Breitbach ATC, Katie Sniffen ATC, and Timothy Howell ATC, for this beautiful and unforgettable opportunity.

Mi primera asignacion al Chaifetz Arena Saint Louis University Sport Medicine and Athletic Training department a cargo de mi preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC junto dos cosas primordiales durante mi experiencia una ser instruido por un gran profesional con dedicación diaria y facilitación a la practica clínica coordinando con paciencia no solo mi formación si no a la vez al conjunto de profesionales que se abocaron a reforzar y complimentar durante mi periodo practico mi rotación en diferentes casos clínicos de esa manera pude entonces recibir practicas y enfoque clínico no solo en Soft ball,Volley ball ,Cross county y natación si no Basketball femenino y Hockey de la mano de Elena Melillo ATC and Maddie Bozych ATC. Mi preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC estuvo diariamente interesada en reforzar mi clínica practica en la evaluación y tratamiento especifico del atleta , en la interpretación, exploración de los programas de rehabilitación y en mi aprendizaje en el manejo de la mas alta tecnología del departamento (ALTER-G anti-gravity treadmill equipment, Laser, HiVAmat hifg frecuency, Hydrotherapy treadmill,Game ready, stim modalities etc,) asi como técnicas manuales o instrumentales de diaria aplicación (Graston technique , Vacuum Cup, etc). De igual forma la practica en la cobertura y preparacion de practicas deportivas dentro de todo el espectro del Athletic Training.

Desde el inico el equipo dirigido por SLU Head Athletic Trainer Jonathan Burch ATC me dio una calida acogida y trabajo en función de mi mayor experiencia. De forma inmediata colegas como Dr. Mike Markee, PT, ATC se preocupo por incorporación a la observación,y practica participación en casos post operatorios importantes (ACL- Meniscus- Achilles tendón repair) recibiendo actualizada información científica y estimulándome a dar mi aporte y participación.

Mi segunda rotación clínico deportiva en Webster Groves High School fue igualmente excepcional y excitante, orientado y bien recibido por una estimulante persona mi preceptor Sean Wright, ATC y ya con la confianza ganada de la primera rotación , pase directamente a la acción clínica , interactuación y decisión directa en casos clínicos en el mas alto nivel preventivo y agudo de lesiones en niños y adolescentes en pleno desarrollo de madures ósea , multiples casos , situaciones directas de contusiones , estando mi preceptor al lado preguntándome ¿Qué sugieres tu?, ¿que propones ? ..muy bien, ok avanza.. en plena acción terapéutica utilizando tu capacidad manual terapeutica e interpretación propia , fue de una responsabilidad tremenda en darle solución a cada caso, además de contar con mis compañeros Alex Smith and Giovanna Charles (MAT Class of 2023) quienes compratieron su experiencia apoyo diario en la practica colaborando conmigo en todo momento.

Al final de mi experiencia  como estudiante internacional,  Siento que debo finalmente decirlo

!!!! he aprendido sobre el manejo clínico institucional y administrativo del AT en USA,La SLU y su programa de Athletic Training es una institucion de alto nivel donde uno se siente protegido e igual a todos, con una agenda excepcional e intensiva que te envuelve inmediatamente dándote multiples herramientas practicas y educativas , todo su personal esta atento a que tu aproveches al maximo tu estadia, me siento muy agradecido a todos Gracias SLU , gracias Profs. Anthony Breitbach, Katie Sniffen and Timothy Howell por esta maravillosa e inolvidable oportunidad.