SLU AT Student Enjoys Learning and Growth through Clinical Experience at Lindbergh HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Lindbergh High School
By: Rachel Wilhelm (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

Beginning my first professional year in the Athletic Training program at Saint Louis University has led me to the opportunity for my first clinical experience. I am currently set at Lindbergh High School where I am learning under Brenna Pfahler, ATC, LAT. She is a recent graduate of University of Nebraska’s Athletic Training program (Class of 2018) and is currently assigned at Lindbergh HS through her fellowship with AthletiCare.

Brenna and I take care of all sports at Lindbergh. We go in early everyday in order to prep for the rush that comes in as soon as school ends. From there, we see everyone in the AT room from cross country to football and every sport in between. During this time, we do injury evaluations, wound care, taping, and rehab to get them ready, before we head out to the practices and games ourselves. It always keeps us busy, but it is the best time to get to know our athletes and communicate with the coaches.

I have really been enjoying my time at Lindbergh so far. It is amazing to be getting these first hand experiences with the student athletes. I can think back to just two months ago when I first started and see how much I have improved in this short time. The experiences around me have been giving me so many learning opportunities. I have seen and rehabilitated multiple ankle sprains, helped take care of many wounds such as a 6 in. laceration in one of our athlete’s legs, and am currently helping my preceptor oversee two of our football players with AC joint sprains. With so much going on around me, I am trying my best to take everything in.

I can’t wait until the end of the semester when I can look back and see how much I’ve grown through my time at Lindbergh.

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.