October 29, 2014

SLU AT Students and Faculty Inducted to Allied Health Honor Society


On October 29, 2014 the Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences Chapter of Alpha Eta, the National Allied Health Honor Society, inducted 5 SLU Athletic Training students and 1 Faculty member to the Society.

Alpha Eta recognizes those allied health professionals who have excelled in their field. This recognition is extended to students, alumni, and faculty members. The society promotes both scholarship and fellowship among its members. This commitment to collaboration is reflected in the motto of the society: Together We Serve.

Demeisha Crawford, Rachel Spika, Michael Aaron, Dr. Tim Howell, Candie Hill and Hilary Stepansky

The 2014 Alpha Eta Inductees from the SLU AT Program:
Timothy Howell EdD, ATC, CSCS (Faculty Member)
Michael Aaron (MAT Class of 2015)
Demeisha Crawford (MAT Class of 2016)
Candie Hill (MAT Class of 2016)
Rachel Spika (MAT Class of 2016)
Hilary Stepansky (MAT Class of 2015)

October 17, 2014

SLU Awarded Bid to Host 2015 World Congress by the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy


The Doisy College of Health Sciences is proud to announce the Department of Physical and Athletic Training was awarded a bid by the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT) to host its World Congress on the Saint Louis University campus on June 20-22, 2015. The theme of the 2015 World Congress will be "Overuse Injury and Sport, an Interprofessional Approach".

SLU Center for Global Citizenship on Main (Frost) Campus
The 2015 World Congress will take place just prior to the National Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Symposia and AT Expo which will be held at America's Center in Downtown St. Louis June 23-26, 2015.

The WFATT is a coalition of health care professionals in the fields of sport, exercise, injury/illness prevention and treatment. The primary objective of the WFATT is to promote the highest quality of health care and functional activity through the collaborative efforts of its members. More information is available at www.wfatt.org.

SLU Education Union Auditorium on Medical Center Campus
The WFATT World Congress is a bi-annual scientific meeting held at various international venues. Health care professionals share information and knowledge related to prevention, treatment and management of sports injuries. Previous World Congresses have been held in Dublin, Ireland (2014); Banff, Alberta, Canada (2011); San Antonio, Texas (2009); Tokyo, Japan (2007); Edinburgh, Scotland (2005); and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (2003). Mark Reinking PhD, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training points out, "Hosting the WFATT at Saint Louis University will bring sports scientists and clinicians from around the world to our campus and will model both interprofessional collaboration and evidence-based practice."

SLU Allied Health Building on Medical Center Campus
The Opening Ceremonies will take place at SLU's Center for Global Citizenship on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Scientific presentations and workshops will take place in the Education Union and the Allied Health Building on the SLU Medical Center Campus on June 23rd and 24th. A Gala Dinner will be held in the Allied Health Building Multipurpose Room on June 23rd. The Hotel Ignacio will serve as the host hotel for the World Congress.

Anthony Breitbach PhD, Director of the Athletic Training Program raves, "This is a great opportunity and it further addresses our goal of international engagement providing global opportunities for our students."

For more information on the 2015 WFATT World Congress go to www.slu.edu/wfatt2015, email wfatt2015@slu.edu or call 314-977-8561.

October 09, 2014

Our Professional Experience as SLU AT Students in the National Football League


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - St. Louis Rams
By:  Hilary Stepansky and Jose Mendez (MAT Class of 2015)

Jose and Hilary were once just lowly PY1 students going to school learning about patient care and how to manage athletes’ injures. Never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined that in their PY2 year they would be learning with the St. Louis Rams professional football team. 


So far this semester, we have witnessed a diverse array of injures from ACL tears to quadriceps strains, but the most unique aspect is that the players will and need to be healthy for their job. The role of the athletic trainer in professional sports is the same as any other level except that they are responsible for the athletes’ ability to do their work. Our responsibilities as athletic training may seem canned or trite, but the minuet tasks we accomplish daily allow the athletic training staff to perform their job. Self-titled hydration coordinators, we set up and break down the field for practice with water, Gatorade, and other supplies to help the players stay hydrated. We could tell you the facts about the Rams organization such as the number of Super Bowls (3), the amount of time players spend in the athletic training room (a lot), or the number of ankles taped during an entire season (too many to count). What we cannot tell you is what this means.

Being a part of the Rams organization has taught us that there is more to football than what you see on TV. The players and coaching staff are genuinely kind to us and appreciate all of our hard work. Although the players tackle hard on the field, they are athletes who grew up with a dream of making it to the big leagues. The facts are boring. What is exciting is seeing a player who could not sit up from a treatment table battle through his injury to make a tackle. Or seeing a rookie, unsure of his place on the team, craft himself into an integral part of the Rams community. 

Being given the opportunity to find our place in this community had taught us more than we could have ever imagined. More than just evaluation techniques, tape jobs or rehabilitation protocols. It has taught us how to be better athletic trainers and better people. We would like to thank Reggie, James, Bryon, Tyler, and Nick for coaching us in every aspect of the job. Also the entire coaching staff and front office staff for making us feel at home in Rams Park. And of course the players who tease us when our ice bags are not made to perfection or the HRV program does not work as quickly as we want it to. Thanks to all of you we grow everyday. 

We look forward to the rest of the season with the Rams and expect great things!

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.

October 06, 2014

Family Atmosphere and Busy Schedule at John Burroughs Creates a Great Clinical Site for SLU AT Students



SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School
By: Shannon Kane (MAT Class of 2015) and Dustin Jamboretz (MAT Class of 2016)

John Burroughs School is a 7-12th grade school, and only has 600 students, but every student is required to play a sport.  The small nature of the school makes it feel like a family.  Everyone looks out for each other, and they are very welcoming to new “family members.”  I have felt more than welcome at this school, and look forward to spending the entire year here!  Already, we have kids that can’t wait to see us every day, and ask where we are when one of us is not there.  The kids are the reason I love to go everyday.  They can make my day better (or worse…) just by coming into the AT room.  

Dustin Jamboretz, Dean Tiffany ATC and Shannon Kane
Dean Tiffany ATC is the Athletic Trainer, as well as the Assistant Athletic Director, and the wrestling coach.  Things get very busy from time to time, but that is where we AT students come in. Dean takes time out to teach us, and makes the most out of any learning opportunity. So far we have seen everything from ankle sprains, to a mid-shaft femur fracture.  We have also dealt with heat stroke, a radial fracture, a combination tibia and fibula fracture, and a few concussions, among other things.  Needless to say, we are never bored, there is always something going on.  And even if there is no one at that moment for us to take care of or assess, we are usually talking or learning about something.  

In season right now are football, men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, field hockey, women’s tennis, cross country, and swimming.  The field hockey team has been doing quite well, and our football team has a 4-1 record!  There is some talent on the team, and the head coach is one of the best football coaches I have seen at this level.  

We hope to learn a lot from Dean this semester, and while we never hope that anyone gets injured, we are eager to see what the rest of this already eventful semester has in store for us! 

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.