SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics

Saint Louis University, Home of the Billikens!

By:  Janese Evans and Lizzy Kienstra (SLU MAT Class of 2013)    

Janese Evans and Lizzy Kienstra in the Chaifetz Arena hydrotherapy area.

There is never a dull moment working at Saint Louis University Athletics with such talented athletes. SLU Athletics has 16 sports and a sports medicine team that includes: 2 orthopedic team physicians, 2 primary care team physicians, 5 physical therapists, 4 certified athletic trainers, 2 PY2 students, and 2 strength and conditioning coaches. Working with such a diverse sports medicine staff, we are able to learn different perspectives on the most effective ways to treat our athletes.

Janese Evans performing a knee exam.

Working at a Division I University, we have gotten the opportunity to travel with different sports teams, observe surgeries, follow up with doctor appointments and physical therapy appointments, and have access to state of the art therapeutic modalities. SLU is definitely a clinical rotation that enhances your skill set for those interested in working in Division I setting. Working long hours, being flexible, extensive traveling, and building relationships is just a small aspect what our preceptors do on a daily basis!

Lizzy Kienstra guiding a Swim-Ex workout.

Each preceptor at SLU brings their own uniqueness to the sports medicine team culture. This allows PY1 and PY2 students to get varying perspectives on how to deal with musculoskeletal injuries. One of the advantages of a clinical rotation at SLU is that the sports medicine team already has previous knowledge about the reputation of our AT program and the type of work ethic and skill sets the program provides for its students. Therefore, we are able to come in and showcase our abilities and instill a level of trust with our preceptors and assist in the treatment of their athletes. We look forward to continue to grow as professionals as we transition to basketball, softball, and baseball. We are also excited to serve as mentors to the additional 4 PY1s that we also have rotations at SLU in the spring.  Go Bills!!!

Congrats to the Men’s Soccer team on becoming 2012 A-10 conference champions!

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.