February 28, 2013

March is National Athletic Training Month!


The Saint Louis University AT Program is looking forward to National Athletic Training Month!  This year's theme is "Every Body Needs and Athletic Trainer"...#NATM2013

"Like us" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SLUAthleticTraining
OR
"Follow us" on Twitter at twitter.com/SLU_AT
to see our program's activities!

February 16, 2013

"Higher Purpose, Greater Good" Articulates What's Different About SLU




Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. 

Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 14,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis, Missouri and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.

"Higher purpose. Greater good." helps us communicate what's different about SLU - the University's DNA. It helps us articulate the University's core purpose, which is for the "greater good" and the University's core essence, which is our "higher purpose."
"Higher purpose. Greater good." is more than just a phrase. It's a reflection of who Saint Louis University is. In it, words reflect deeds. 

  • Pursuing Degrees, Majoring in Impact: Career choice, community impact, service learning,vigorous academics.
  • Formation in a World of Information: Diversity, global reach, transformation.
  • Shaping St. Louis with Bricks and Mortarboards: 25 years of progress, economic impact, alumni's value to the region, a leading research institution.
  • Major Research Center for Self Discovery: Personal and career exploration, journeys (big and small), challenging ideas.
  • Core Classes Become Core Values: The Jesuit tradition, ethical values, educating the whole person, service learning.
  • Gateway to Explorers, Navigators and Seekers of Truth: The Jesuit mission, SLU's history in St. Louis, leadership.

Concrete examples about SLU that illustrate "Higher purpose. Greater good."
  • Students, faculty and staff members cumulatively complete more than a million hours of community service each year.
  • The University has been recognized as a character-building college by The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development.
  • SLU was named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year in 2012. It is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.
  • SLU's chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, is the largest in the nation per capita, as well as one of the biggest student organizations on campus.
  • A 2012 economic impact study showed that Saint Louis University is the largest single developer in the Midtown area, with more than $850 million in campus improvements, enhancements and expansions during the past 25 years.
  • The new College for Public Health and Social Justice uniquely addresses the health and well being of society's most vulnerable by bring all of the disciplines of public health and social work together.
  • The law school's legal clinics provide nearly 40,000 hours of free legal serve annually to the community.
  • The John Cook School of Business offers several mission-driven certificate programs, including those in service leadership, sustainable business practices, and corporate ethics and compliance management.
  • The Center for World Health and Medicine, inaugurated in 2010, pursues new treatments for neglected diseases such as malaria, river blindness and childhood diarrhea. These initiatives offer promising solutions for diseases that ravage the developing world.
  • The Center for Sustainability continues to foster discovery through groundbreaking research with assistance from programs such as the Alberici Fund for Innovation, a $1.5 million commitment to seed cross/interdisciplinary research focused on creating solutions to the urgent sustainability issues facing society.
  • SLU's Center for Global Citizenship encourage all students to develop as globally diverse leaders by using modern technology to connect local and international worlds.

February 15, 2013

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University



Washington University, Home of the Bears
By: Vince Di Renzo, Bridget Quirk and Ryan Vallo, SLU MAT Class of 2013

After a busy and exciting fall at Washington University, we’re back for another semester as we complete our final clinical rotation. Wash U is a NCAA Division III University known for its competitive athletics and prestigious academics. Wash U has four full time athletic trainers on staff who oversee our clinical experience: Rick Larsen, ATC, Jim Anderson, ATC, Mary Tarzon, ATC, and Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program alum, Jacob Blasingame, ATC. We are currently helping out with men and women’s basketball as both teams wrap up a great season.

Vince Di Renzo, Jim Anderson ATC, Bridget Quirk and Ryan Vallo
Wash U head athletic trainer Rick Larsen has a lot in store for us this spring. He has set up mini rotations to enhance our clinical experience. One mini rotation will be athletic training administration. We will have the opportunity to manage inventory of athletic training room supplies and assist in filing insurance claims. Another rotation will be with the Wash U team physicians. We will observe sports medicine physicians Dr. Mark Halstead and Dr. Matt Matava as they further evaluate our injured athletes. Lastly, we will be out on the field with baseball and softball attending to injuries when needed. We are really looking forward to refining our clinical skills set while learning new skills in these rotations.

Recently we implemented Functional Movement Screening (FMS) into our off-season conditioning program for football.  Within the next few weeks, we hope to screen all major sports that we feel can benefit from FMS.   FMS is designed to bring to light any asymmetries between limbs and identify any dysfunctional movement patterns that may increase the risk of injury.  We hope to solidify our athletes’ movement patterns as the foundation for further performance gains and the reduction of injury.

A Washington University football player preforming the hurdle test, one of seven tests administered during functional movement screening.

We feel over the past year that Wash U has been tremendous in helping us grow as future athletic trainers.  It has been a great environment for learning and our preceptors continue to encourage active learning.  As the end of the semester approaches, we hope to continue to build on the knowledge we've gained and continue to be advocates for the athletic training profession.

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.

February 13, 2013

NATA President Jim Thornton Visits SLU AT Program


On February 11, 2013, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program had the opportunity to have National Athletic Trainers' Association President Jim Thornton visit its program, where he interacted with over 100 students, faculty and community members in the Allied Health Building on SLU's Medical Center Campus.  The reason for his visit was to attend the 2013 Initiation Ceremony of SLU's Alpha Iota Chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the national athletic training honor society.

NATA President Jim Thornton with new ITA Members: Michelle Cybulski, Dan Herrin, Nick Gastorf, Hilary Orf,, Jessica Smith and Abby Breseman.
The ceremony welcomed the following new ITA members:  Abby Breseman, Michelle Cybulski, Nick Gastorf, Dan Herrin, Hilary Orf and Jessica Smith.  The ceremony was presided over by SLU ITA Officers Ryan Vallo, Bridget Quirk and Sarah Reifsteck.

After the ceremony Mr. Thornton gave an inspiring address focusing on professional engagement and the pursuit of excellence in health care.  He also helped explain the NATA's role and the significance of the Youth Sports Safety Summit which took place in Washington DC in February 2013.  Food and refreshments for the event were provided by TOSA Medical.

The large crowd present for the event enjoyed a reception afterwards in the lobby of the Allied Health Building.
Mr. Thornton also met with SLU AT students earlier in the day stressing the importance of involvement and professionalism for young professionals in the future of athletic training.

Overall it was an outstanding day and great opportunity for our students and the SLU AT program in general.

February 07, 2013

SLU AT Students Practice Clinical Skills in the Simulation Lab

SLU AT students Jay Maturan and Andrea Auclair suture on the model while John Runde looks on.


Situated in the Doisy College of Health Sciences on the Saint Louis University Medical Center Campus, SLU AT students are lucky to have access to all of the resources of the teaching medical center.  On Thursday, February 7, 2013 the students got the opportunity to practice suturing, suture removal and measurement of rectal temperature in the School of Medicine's Simulation and Clinical Skills Center. 


While not an entry-level skill for athletic trainers, knowledge of suturing is essential for AT's and physicians to work side-by-side in patient care.  Additionally, skill in measuring rectal temperature is necessary in assessing core temperature in the treatment of heat stroke and other conditions.  It is great to have such resources closely available for our students!

Wes Burch, Director of the Simulation and Clinical Skills Center demonstrates suturing for the SLU AT students.
SLU AT students Abby Breseman, Kelly Peck and Cat Costello work together for suturing practice.
Thanks to the School of Nursing, a model was used to practice rectal temperature assessment.

February 02, 2013

SLU AT Faculty and Students Participate in Inaugural MoATA Education Conference

SLU AT Students Arrive at the MoATA Education Conference: Rachel Cocek, Katie Schneebeck, Derrick Neuner, Kelley DeGreeff, Mary Rhatigan, Claire Botting and Katie Herington.
The Missouri Athletic Trainers' Association (MoATA) hosted its first-ever Education Conference on the campus of William Woods University in Fulton, MO.  Over 120 faculty and students from CAATE Accredited AT Programs participated in the conference which consisted of lecture and hands-on seminars for students and educators.  It also featured the MoATA Student Quiz Bowl competition with 7 programs participating.

Dr, Breitbach giving his presentation.
Saint Louis University AT Program Director Dr. Tony Breitbach led off the conference with an update of the National Athletic Trainers' Association's "Future Directions in Athletic Training Education".  SLU AT Clinical Education Coordinator Dr. Tim Howell coordinated the CAATE Presentation and emcee'd the MoATA Student Quiz Bowl.  MoATA President-Elect and SLU AT faculty member Dr. Kitty Newsham also participated in the workshop.

SLU's Quiz Bowl team ready for action!
SLU was represented in the Quiz Bowl by Rachel Cocek, Katie Herington and Katie Schneebeck with Alex Sawyer serving as an alternate.  Derrick Neuner, Claire Botting, Kelley DeGreeff and Mary Rhatigan also took part in the conference.

It was a great day of professional development and fellowship, and everyone hopes that this will be an annual event.