September 08, 2020

SLU AT Student Focuses on Athlete Safety in Clinical Experience at Christian Brothers College HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School
By: Gabby Herod (MAT Class of 2021)

During this summer at Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School, Kristen Jeans ATC, LMT, from Mercy Sports Medicine, has again given me a unique experience.  During this COVID-19 pandemic, the typical athletic training experience was not possible.  But Kristen made sure that I saw the side of athletic training that isn’t shown on a typical day. 
Being the summer in St. Louis, it can get very hot and dangerous for athletes. I gained more experience in using a wet bulb and cold water tank and what it really means to make the right decision for the safety of everyone. Demonstrating interpersonal communication with the coaches, athletic director, and parents with this information is very important.


While at CBC, we also discussed COVID and what was needed for the sports teams to operate safely. Dealing with safety policies that will provide the best experience for everyone involved has been a challenge. The work that Kristen has shown me that is necessary to have everything in order hopefully run smoothly during the school year happens during this time. Administration is a part of this profession that should be greatly praised for everything that has to happen. 

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.

September 07, 2020

SLU AT Students Enjoy Summer Clinical Experience with the Billikens



SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Billiken Athletics
By: Maddie Bozych and Kaylla Juarez (MAT Class of 2021)

Saint Louis University Athletic Training Students have made adjustments to the changing conditions during the Summer of 2020.  Maddie Bozych and Kaylla Juarez discuss their common, but separate and socially distanced, immersive clinical experience with SLU Billiken Athletics.



Maddie Bozych 

I had a great summer experience getting to be involved with the SLU Men’s basketball team! While it was a different type of summer, it was just as interesting! I got to learn from Jonathan Burch, ATC, who not only has great expertise on being a Division 1 basketball athletic trainer, but also as the director of sports medicine. It was a great experience to see all the conversations that went into making a safe summer for the basketball team among a pandemic. Some of the Covid precautions I was a part of were figuring out how to reconfigure the athletic training room to make it as safe and distances as a possible, and taking temperatures. 

My daily routine consisted of getting all the supplies ready for weight training, and once we progressed to practices, taping. Once the players were taken care of, I got a look into all of the paperwork it is important for athletes to have at the start of every year, and practice logging it into the software.  

Aside from seeing some of the behind the scenes of what a director of sports medicine and AT does during a pandemic, I did get to do some rehabbing! I was fortune to also get to learn from Mike Markee, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, ATC and be a part of the post-op rehabs of one of our athletes. It was great interprofessional experience as I got to go to physical therapy session and learn the exercises, and then take the athlete through them on off days. Having this bridge role was a great experience for a PY2. I learned a lot in a short time! 



Kaylla Juarez

This summer I was able to get clinical experience with SLU’s Men’s Basketball team with my preceptor Jonathan Burch ATC (JB), Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine.  During my time at SLU, I was able to get back into practicing taping skills that I have not been able to do in a few months.  I was able to learn new taping skills through JB and get a better understanding of why we tape our basketball players the way we do.  

I also got to look at the administration side of athletic training that I did not get a lot of experience with at my other clinical sites.  With us still being in a pandemic, there was a lot of paperwork that had to be done before the rest of the student athletes returned back to campus. It was nice to understand all aspects of athletic training and administration work is something I often forget comes along with this career. SLU will be my clinical site for the 2020-2021 school year, and I am excited to see what else I can learn from my preceptor JB and other preceptors I come across in the SLU athletic training room. 

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.

September 05, 2020

SLU AT Student Integrates Prior Learning with Immersive Clinical Experience at Bayless HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bayless High School
By: Josh Hicks (MAT Class of 2021)

During this very abnormal Summer field experience of 2020 I was at Bayless High School. My preceptor was Adam Krueger ATC, CSCS, SSM Health Sports Medicine. This was Adam’s first year at Bayless and he did awesome. With all of the uncertainty of having a new job and a pandemic, Adam still made my learning experience a priority. I learned from many discussions, demonstrations, and practice.


Outside of screening for COVID, a majority of Adam’s and my time was spent discussing topics and practices in athletic training. These discussions often led to demonstrations and new knowledge and practice. For example, I have learned about joint mobilizations and stretching through classes, but Adam showed me how to combine the two properly. Bayless had few injuries. I was able to do the initial assessment of each injury and Adam would monitor. I was also included in coming up with the rehab programs and I took the student athletes through them. 


At Bayless High School I felt like an athletic trainer. I was part of the team and treated as such. 

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.

September 04, 2020

SLU AT Student Returns to a Familiar Place to Adapt and Learn New Skills


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Cardinal Ritter College Prep
By: Jose Blanco (MAT Class of 2021)

This summer I had the opportunity to return to Cardinal Ritter College Prep. I had my first clinical experience on Fall 2019 and now our paths crossed again in summer, which consisted of a different dynamic compared to the regular year. My preceptor was Cara Bowton, MAT, LAT, ATC, SSM Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer and SLU alum, and she gladly helped me achieve the best possible experience for about two months.


Living while a worldwide pandemic is happening made us adjust to necessary changes to follow a required protocol to provide care to these athletes. I had to understand the importance of following these protocols since the first day, since ensuring the safety of the athletes was our primary goal. However, I still had the opportunity to treat athletes as they needed it. From screening for COVID-19 every player before letting them play to treat them after a practice.


Although at first I had a lot of doubts and concern about this summer, we manage to deliver the best preventative measurements and treatment to athletes that were preparing for their summer. This opportunity taught me interventions to prevent the spread of diseases which is an area that I never thought I would find myself in. It also taught me that health care professionals should keep trying to deliver the best care to overcome this pandemic so that hopefully in our early future we can find ourselves in our normal practice duties.

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.

September 02, 2020

SLU AT Student Gets Unique Learning Experiences with Preceptor's Support at Bishop DuBourg HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School
By: Kate Perko (MAT Class of 2021)

My immersive field experience this summer was spent with Nathan Jarman, MS, CSCS, ATC at Bishop Dubourg High Schools morning sports camps. Though it was not the summer I had anticipated, I am appreciative of the opportunity to learn from Nate. He has so much knowledge to share and kept me on my toes. The administration of Bishop Dubourg were wonderful and immediately treated me as if I was one of their own. 


Nate is an Athletic Trainer with SSM Health Sports Medicine and a key member to the schools COVID-19 response team. On my second or third day at the high school I was invited to sit in on a COVID-19 task force meeting with Nate. It was impressive to see and be part of the “can do” attitude. Instead of focusing on how normal policies are not going to work, administration had to brainstorm new policies that could work instead. I was pleased to be able to offer my two cents into the problem solving. 

Bishop Dubourg is a great clinical site and Nate is an awesome preceptor and mentor. The students at Bishop Dubourg were respectful and receptive to having a SLU AT student. 

I wish the best for the students and teachers as they navigate this new normal. Go Cavaliers!

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.

September 01, 2020

SLU AT Student Appreciates the Benefit of Multiple Immersive Clinical Experiences


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Orchard Farm High School and the Young Athlete Center/Lou Fusz Athletic
By: Iris Herrera (MAT Class of 2021)

This summer I had the privilege of having both Olivia Robinson, MAT, LAT, ATC and Tom McGowan, MEd, LAT, ATC as preceptors. I was able to have a well-rounded experience, where I learned about all of the domains of athletic training. In the mornings I would screen athletes for COVID at Orchard Farm High School with Olivia. While there I was able to create, edit, and implement an emergency action plan. I had exposure to pre-participation documents, physicals, and even inventory. 


With preceptor Tom McGowan I was able to have experiences at the Young Athlete Center (YAC) and Lou Fusz Athletic. At the Young Athlete Center, located inside of the Children’s Specialty Care Center, I observed and assisted with ACL return to play testing. I was also able to observe a functional movement screen. Tom showed me how to use a BIODEX and motion sensors to analyze movement and even let me try them out! At Lou Fusz Athletic I was able to join Tom for soccer practices and a lacrosse tournament. Throughout the summer, Tom set up several evaluations for me to do on athletes. He also guided me through case study cases where he pretended to be my patient.


Overall, I loved my summer field experiences! In the morning I was able to gain more understanding about the administrative component of athletic training and in the afternoon, I was able to be more hands on with patients. I am appreciative of Olivia and Tom for giving me such amazing opportunities to learn from them. 

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.