SLU AT Students Share an Immersive Clinical Opportunity with the Gateway Grizzlies

By: Olivia Hiscox and Jacob Kidwell (MAT Class of 2025)

Our experience with the Gateway Grizzlies has been fulfilling and immersive. Our time has allowed us to showcase our skills that we have been building on over the past year, while also learning new skill sets and ways in which the knowledge we already have could be enriched. Working alongside our preceptor, Margaret Rall, LAT, ATC, we have been able to actively participate in both injury evaluation as well as rehabilitation strategies, these strategies include but are not limited to, modalities, manual therapy, and wound care. 

The team, managers, coaches, and our preceptor have all been extremely welcoming, offering anything that we may need to ensure that our time is well spent and that our learning is vast. These connections that we have formed allow us to learn many of the basic but essential skills required of an athletic trainer. Learning in such an environment is something that allows you to learn in an involved manner, as well as in ways that can’t be taught outright inside the classroom. We are extremely grateful to the Gateway Grizzlies, Margaret Rall, and the Saint Louis University Athletic Training program for providing the opportunity for us to improve as future athletic trainers in an environment that facilitates us as students.  

This is one of a series of posts authored by students enrolled in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program. The number of clinical sites, the quality and diversity of the clinical experience opportunities, and the contemporary expertise of our preceptors are strengths of the CAATE Accredited SLU AT Program.

SLU AT Student Immersed in Clnical Practice with the STL City2 Club

By: Krystal Kohenskey (MAT Class of 2025)

This summer I am provided the opportunity to learn under my preceptor Zach Hopkins, MAT, ATC, at STL City 2. All City programs use physicians associated with WashU. Being able to gain clinical experience at City 2 has been an amazing experience. Everything about the City program, both first team and second, has been extraordinary. Everyone is so nice and willing to help you navigate any obstacles you might encounter. All the staff go out of their way to know your name and get to know you. Sometimes the team even allows me to play with them during practice which is a lot of fun.  

So far this summer I have learned a lot and been able to apply knowledge of my skills in the athletic training room. We use a lot of modalities with our athletes, and this has exposed me to different methods and techniques I have not experienced before, like laser and KT tape. One of our athletes broke their fibula and I have been working with him on his rehab and progression this summer. That has been one of my biggest projects. I’ve gotten comfortable with my knowledge and ability to apply what I have learned to my practice. 

I am so grateful for this opportunity and to be able to expand my knowledge with Zach and all the other medical and professional staff I have gotten to learn from. I can’t wait to see what other knowledge I am able to obtain this summer.  

This is one of a series of posts authored by students enrolled in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program. The number of clinical sites, the quality and diversity of the clinical experience opportunities, and the contemporary expertise of our preceptors are strengths of the CAATE Accredited SLU AT Program.

SLU AT Student Immersed in Clinical Practice in a Physician's Office

By: Madison Wriborg (MAT Class of 2025)

During my summer field experience, I have had the opportunity of assisting Dr. Bayes and his medical staff at Bluetail medical group with regenerative and sports medicine. During rotations I assist aside Dr. Bayes with ultrasound guided injections ranging from steroidal injections to platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections. During my time at Bluetail Medical Group I get to see a lot of different imaging like X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound guided treatments which has been great for testing my anatomy!

Another opportunity I get at Bluetail Medical Group is getting to have quality patient interactions with a wide variety of patient age ranges which has been informative and rewarding. Getting to work with Dr. Bayes has been such a great experience and even more fun working aside his medical staff, Paige Kasson, PA, Devon Guckes, ATC. Assisting in the clinical setting has really sparked an interest for my future career path as an athletic trainer.

I feel my time at Bluetail Medical Group has already improved so many skills needed for my professional development. I have gotten the chance to work on my patient communication and assessment skills along with honing in on my knowledge of anatomy and physiology which are major steps to fostering my professional development. I feel very supported when I am assisting at Bluetail Medical Group and want to thank Dr. Bayes, Paige Kasson, Devon Guckes, and all of Bluetail Medical Group for such a great summer of learning and growing! 

This is one of a series of posts authored by students enrolled in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program. The number of clinical sites, the quality and diversity of the clinical experience opportunities, and the contemporary expertise of our preceptors are strengths of the CAATE Accredited SLU AT Program.