SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Select Medical at ESPN Wide World of Sports
By: Justin Ullom (SLU MAT Class of 2019)
My clinical experience with Select Medical at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida has been a crazy ride. I have been pleasantly surprised by the experiences I have had here. The ability to network with numerous Athletic Trainers in the Florida area is amazing, especially given that I eventually want to work my way to a coast after college.
It has been wonderful to experience such a wide variety of sports. In the first few weeks alone, I have been assigned to wrestling, softball, volleyball, and baseball. Since we are the only medical providers of the complex, we also take care of the general population. This means that at any given time, there is anywhere from ten thousand to forty thousand people participating at the site.
I was not initially ecstatic about most events are with a younger community, as my aspirations involve working with more elite-level athletes. However, most of these younger athletes are extremely talented with colleges looking at them and their level of play is at a high level.
My confidence in my emergency response skills has improved dramatically throughout this experience as well. In a short time, I have already utilized a spine-board as well as splinting with vacuum splints before sending someone to the hospital. There have also been times where we are the first responders to a spectator having a heart attack working together with EMS personnel.
Fifty or more hours per week, on top of getting this experience with emergencies, it gives me a very accurate idea of what it will be like to be an Athletic Trainer and I cannot be more excited for it.
Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have an immersive field experience in the summer between their two professional years in the program. This blog post details a student's reflection on their experience.
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