October 29, 2018

SLU AT Student Learns in Busy and Supportive Environment at Kirkwood HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Kirkwood High School
By: Hannah Daily (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

This semester I have had the opportunity to gain clinical experience at Kirkwood High School with preceptor Briana Lakebrink, ATC. It is safe to say that Briana has done a phenomenal job of showing me the ropes of an athletic trainer in a high school setting and teaching me how to use my skills outside of the classroom. From the after-school rush to late night football games, I have learned so much from her including: how to handle heat illness during the hot days in early August to new taping techniques to managing concussions and so much more.
While being employed through Athletico, Briana is easily able to connect with other athletic trainers in the area as well as work interprofessionaly with the physical therapists who treat our student athletes. This is a great experience for me as I get to network with Briana’s Athletico team as well as help implement the standards set by Athletico in the high school.
Kirkwood High School has welcomed me with open arms this semester and I have nothing but great things to report thus far in my clinical experience. The athletic department and coaching staff are great at managing the plethora of sports they have going on throughout the week and making sure that game days run as smoothly as possible.

I look forward to these next few months at Kirkwood as I continue to grow and be challenged in new ways every day.

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 23, 2018

SLU AT Student Appreciates Busy Learning Environment at DeSmet Jesuit High School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - DeSmet Jesuit High School
By: Mitchell Buerck (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

In my first year in the professional phase of the SLU Athletic Training Program, I have been assigned to DeSmet Jesuit High School. At DeSmet, Daniel Herrin, MAT, ATC is my preceptor and works for Mercy Sports Medicine. He is also a SLU alumni and has been at DeSmet for three years with previously working at Mizzou. I am also there with Adam Whelehan, a student from Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland for the semester. During this semester so far, we have looked after athletes from the football, soccer, cross country, and swimming and diving. As fall sports end, we will have basketball and wrestling as winter sports.

Being my first year of the professional phase, I am experiencing a lot of new things. My favorite part of this experience is being in the athletic training room after their school lets out, even with it being very hectic. This is where I can put my skills to use and learn new skills as well, such as taping, getting an athletes history, figuring out a plan of action, and much more.


With learning and having more experiences, my confidence in helping the athletes has gone up tremendously and will continue to grow. Overall, DeSmet Jesuit High School has given me a great experience and I’m excited to keep working hard and learning more while I am there.

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 22, 2018

SLU AT Students Find a Welcoming Learning Environment at SIU-Edwardsville

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
By: Jazmon Carroll and Chase Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Thus far, being at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) has been a wonderful opportunity. Last spring, we both were placed at a small college which allowed us to not only grow as athletic training students, but also allowed us to gain more experience which has helped with the transition into a NCAA Division I Athletic Program like SIUE.

The staff has been amazing. Right off the bat, we knew that they were enthusiastic about having us there and wanted us to get the most out of our time here at this institution. With that said, throughout our time at SIUE, we will be rotating among sports in order to gain experience with different athletic teams and learn from different athletic trainers.
To start off these rotations, one of us has been with the women’s volleyball team under the mentorship of Emily Kurtz, ATC, while the other has been with both men’s and women’s soccer with the support of James Mays, ATC, and Ryan Salerno, ATC. By being with different sports, this is giving us the opportunity to have different experiences despite being at the same clinical site which allows us to share our experiences with each other and learn from them. 

We have also had the pleasure of collaborating with the strength and conditioning staff to ensure that the athletes at SIUE receive high quality treatment throughout every stage of his or her recovery.  Although we have only been with this group for a couple months, we are excited to see what the rest of the year brings as we continue to grow as future healthcare providers. 

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 19, 2018

SLU AT Students Develop Clinical Skills with Preceptor/Role Model at Christian Brothers College HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School
By: Alejandra Chavez and Abby Hoffman (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

CBC has been a great clinical site to start practicing skills we’ve learned in class. Every day, we apply athletic tape to prevent and treat injury. We’ve also picked up some new tips to refine our taping techniques, which has been really useful before football games when there are a lot of athletes that need to be taped. In addition, we’ve also learned how to tape outside of the basic taping techniques. 
We have learned a lot about concussions since we have had several diagnosed concussions so far in the year. We have a lot more knowledge about how to manage situations on the field if a concussion is suspected. We have also had the opportunity to perform a SCAT 5 and have athletes check back in every day and fill out a concussion evaluation sheet to track symptoms. Our preceptor, CBC and Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Kristen Jeans ATC, LMT is also a licensed massage therapist, so we have also learned massage techniques to treat athletic injuries.
In addition to learning more about concussions, taping and massage, we have learned from our preceptor Kristen about the importance of maintaining a professional relationship with the athletes, coaches, and parents. Seeing how much the athletes, parents and coaches trust and value Kristen’s work is really inspiring to us to hopefully develop those types of relationships in our careers one day. 

Being at CBC High School for our first clinical experience has been great and we are both excited to immerse ourselves more into this experience and gain a lot more skills and knowledge.

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 18, 2018

SLU AT Students Experience Team Approach to Athletic Health Care at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University Athletics
By: Paul Lamb and Jesse Schmitt (SLU MAT Class of 2019); Maria Lingardo, Courtney Nall and Allison Stefan (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

The 2018 Fall semester has been quite busy for the two 2nd year (PY2) students (Jesse Schmitt and Paul Lamb), and three 1st year (PY1) students (Allison Stefan, Maria Lingardo, and Courtney Nall) at Washington University. While primarily caring for the football team, we have all contributed to treating all athletes at WashU. Our everyday schedule is a mixture of treating athletes using therapeutic modalities, such as laser, game-ready, and underwater treadmill program; as well as an ample amount of taping and preparation before going out to practice. In addition, we help athletes go through their rehab programs.
From day one to now, we have learned how to work together as a team with our preceptors Rick Larsen MS, ATC and Grant Rohrig MAT, ATC. The PY1 students feel comfortable asking questions to the PY2s and the PY2s are always willing to help out the PY1s. We have established mutual trust within our team, and our preceptors have given us more responsibility as weeks go by. One of our favorite parts of the week is when we sit down as a group and discuss injury reports as well as things to improve on from the week before. Team meetings help to ensure everyone is on the same page and that there is not any miscommunication.

At WashU we all get the opportunity to take turns traveling with the football team. Travel trips have provided all of us a great insight to what traveling with a team entails. We have all enjoyed our clinical experience this far at Washington University because we have the opportunities to do things like travel. We all are looking forward to the rest of the semester here and seeing how we keep developing our own skill sets, as well as, how we keep growing as a team.

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 14, 2018

SLU AT Student Enjoys Increased Autonomy with Preceptor's Support at Parkway South HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway South High School
By: Danielle Jabczynski (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

My first month and a half has been a busy but wonderful learning experience so far. I get to work closely with another student from Lindenwood University, which is a unique experience that I have really enjoyed thus far. Being able to learn from another student gives an entirely different perspective. Parkway South's Athletic Trainer Mike Tzianos, ATC, from Mercy Sports Medicine, is an awesome preceptor and I have learned so many new skills in such a short amount of time already.
As a student in the last year of the program, I have been given more responsibilities and more independence in the athletic training room, and on game days as well. It has really given me a chance to use all of my athletic training skillset and challenge myself on a day to day basis. Being at a large public high school with a large athletic program gives me the chance to be hands on, work on a lot of rehabilitation for many different conditions, and learn new taping techniques for certain positions depending on the sport.
I am looking forward to spending the entire year at Parkway South enhancing my relationships with Mike, the athletes and the coaches that I have already gotten to know pretty well. As I finish up my last year in the program, I am excited to have such a great clinical site to help me succeed.

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 07, 2018

SLU AT Students Thrive in Dynamic Interprofessional Setting at Fontbonne University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Fontbonne University
By: Maggie Rowell and Cody Hutson (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

There are two of us Saint Louis University students that are assigned to Fontbonne University, Maggie Rowell and Cody Hutson. Our preceptors are SLU alumni Ann Schmerbauch MAT, ATC, LAT (MAT Class of 2011) and Andrew Gomez, MAT, ATC, LAT(MAT Class of 2016.) We also have the opportunity to work with two Graduate Assistants, Hunter Pescetto ATC, LAT and Sadie Krehbiel ATC, LAT, who recently got their AT Licenses. This allows us to get a perspective on not only how our professional lives will be once we graduate from SLU specifically, but also what it is like to be a newly licensed AT.
Fontbonne University is a NCAA Division III school with approximately 2,000 enrolled students. The university fields 10 Men’s Sports and 11 Women’s Sports. For the Fall season, there are 3 sports we work with majority of the time. The sports include Men and Women’s Soccer and Women’s Volleyball. While there aren’t a wide variety of athletes, it allows us to form great relationships with the athletes and spend quality time with each individual. The athletic community is so welcoming and satisfying to work with that we show up to practice before our classes and then return to Fontbonne’s ATR to continue working with the athletes. Throughout the semester, we are able to follow-up with each injury and guide their recovery with rehabilitation exercises, soft tissue massage, and sport-specific functional exercises. We are able to connect with the athletes by checking in each day to make sure they are heading in the right direction in order for them to return to sport as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The Fontbonne Athletic Training Room is constantly filled with athletes of all sports, whether they are in-season or off-season. This allows us to multi-task in crazy environments and prioritizes athlete’s care in an efficient manner. Every Monday, Chiropractors and a Sports Medicine Physician come to Fontbonne’s AT room to help evaluate athletes. This allows us to collaborate interprofessionally with other healthcare professionals by discussing the proper plan of care for the athletes. As a whole, the Fontbonne’s athletic community is a great learning environment to advance our clinical reasoning skills, manual techniques, evaluation skills, and triage expertise as we advance into our second and final professional year.

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, 2018

SLU AT Student Grows Professionally Alongside Preceptor at Parkway Central HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway Central High School
By: Christopher Mecherle (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

During my second year in the professional phase of the SLU Athletic Training Program, I am honored to have a clinical experience with Parkway Central High School’s certified athletic trainer, Michael Aaron, MAT, ATC. While most of Michael and I’s time are spent at Parkway Central, Michael works for Mercy Sports Medicine. We utilize Mercy policies and protocols, and in turn, it has allowed us to provide the best possible healthcare to the student athletes. Organization has been key, and Michael is always accomplishing what needs to be done in the most efficient manner. I’m happy to be along for the ride.
This will be my second clinical experience in the high school setting, and I can safely say it has been good to be back. The plethora of student athletes that we see everyday has been great hands on experience. The time spent with them has sharpened my skills considerably since my first day this summer. In addition to the athletes, the faculty has also been a pleasure to work with. Each interaction is genuine, and coaches respect our healthcare team.
Overall, Parkway Central High School has been a fantastic place to grow as an AT student, and as a person. We are constantly busy, and being vigilant and calm can be a challenge occasionally. It has pushed my limits to a certain extent, and quite frankly I hope that is always the case.

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 04, 2018

SLU AT Student Appreciates the Busy and Collaborative Environment at Westminster Christian Academy


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy
By: Sarah Menzuber (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This August I began a new clinical experience at Westminster Christian Academy.  I am an athletic training student in my second professional year in the Master of Athletic Training program at Saint Louis University.  At Westminster Christian Academy, I am gaining clinical experience with the supervision of Katherine Love.  A recent SLU grad, Katherine Love MAT, ATC, is the Athletic Trainer at Westminster through Mercy Sports Medicine and is my preceptor for the 2018-2019 school year.  Katherine and I oversee all high school sports and keep busy with our always crowded athletic training room after school.  At Westminster Christian Academy, there is outstanding communication between Katherine, the coaching staff of all teams, the athletic director, the nurse, and other school administrators to ensure the best care for all students’ health and well-being.


So far, we have been fortunate enough to not have had any life-threatening injuries or have had the need to call EMS.  However, a Varsity Football player suffered an ACL tear and just had surgery, so Katherine and I will be working with him on his rehab.  I have seen a variety of injuries this year, including many ankle sprains, muscle strains, shoulder impingement syndrome, and patellofemoral pain.  We work with each athlete individually and design a rehab protocol for them to do after school and at home.  I love the hands-on experience I am getting and working with Katherine and the Westminster athletes.  I am beyond grateful and excited to be here for the entire school year!

Go Wildcats!

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 03, 2018

SLU Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Hosting Continuing Education Program on December 1, 2018


Perspectives in the Management of Foot and Ankle Pathology
Featuring Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC, FACSM, FNATA

Saturday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
December 1, 2018
(rescheduled from April 2018)

Interventions for foot and ankle pathology evolve over time. Keeping current with the latest techniques is sometimes difficult. What works? Does it work for everyone? How can I select the best intervention for my patient? Join colleagues at this 4 hour continuing education program addressing chronic and acute foot and ankle pathology.

Impairment-Based Rehabilitation for Lateral Ankle Instability
Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC FACSM, FNATA

The Foot Core: Clinical Importance of the Intrinsic Foot Muscles
Jay Hertel,  PhD, ATC FACSM, FNATA

Selecting the Right PRO for Your Practice
Randy Richter, PT, PhD

Management of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Ann Hayes, PT, DPT, MHS, OCS

The Role of Muscle Imbalance in MTSS – Soft Tissue
Kitty Newsham, PhD, ATC


Dr. Jay Hertel is the Joe H. Gieck Professor of Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia. He directs UVA's graduate programs in Athletic Training & Sports Medicine and is co-director of the Exercise & Sport Injury Lab. His primary area of research deals with lateral ankle instability which he studies from a multifactorial perspective using diverse methods ranging from laboratory-based assessments of biomechanics and motor control to evidence-based practice principles inherent to clinical epidemiology. Dr. Hertel has authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and presented at numerous national and international sports medicine conferences.

His research has been funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Athletic Trainers' Association, Research & Education Foundation, American Physical Therapy Association, and the National Football League Charities. Dr. Hertel is a fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers' Association. In 2011, he received the Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, the highest career research award in athletic training. Dr. Hertel is a senior associate editor for the Journal of Athletic Training and a member of the international advisory board for Physical Therapy in Sport.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, a participant will be able to:
  • Explain the impairment-based rehabilitation framework  relative to lateral ankle instability
  • Develop rehabilitation progressions for intrinsic foot muscles.
  • Describe effective intervention for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
  • Explain the role of muscle balance in management of MTSS-soft tissue
  • Identify appropriate patient reported outcome measures for your practice.
Target Audience:
  • This program is intended for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Saint Louis University, Dept. of PT and Athletic Training (BOC AP# P3877) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 4 EBP Category hours/CEUs. 

Physical Therapy:   Saint Louis University School of Medicine Continuing Education Program is a continuing education sponsor for the State of Illinois to provide Physical Therapy and Occupation Therapy CE courses. State of Illinois Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor   License # 216-000085 Expiration Date: 09/30/2020 CE Contact hours: 4.0

Location: 
Saint Louis University - Medical Center Campus
Allied Health Building - Auditorium (Room 1043) 
Garage and street parking options available

Fees:
Early Bird (payment by 11/16/2018): $60.00
Regular Registration (after 11/16/2018): $75.00

Registration and payment information:
Registration form and payment information are available through Saint Louis University available here through this REGISTRATION LINK
If paying by check, please contact Kitty Newsham (knewsham@slu.edu)

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
A full refund of the conference registration fees will be made for requests received by April 19, 2018. No refunds will be processed after November 19, 2018. In the event a program is cancelled, participants are entitled to a full refund. 

All refund requests must be sent in writing (postal or email) to, and received by Kitty Newsham at Saint Louis University’ 3437 Caroline Mall, St Louis, MO 63104 or knewsham@slu.edu). 

Refunds approved by November 19, 2018, will be issued to the original payer in the same amount as the payment received. 

Directions: 
South on Grand from I-64/40 or North on Grand from I-44. Turn East on Chouteau to South on Theresa.

Parking:
Garage parking is accessible from Theresa or Rutgers Ave.
Hickory East Garage: 3424 Hickory St.
Garage Rate: $2 per hour, $6 per day
Use THIS address for GPS