November 13, 2020

SLU AT Student Experiences a Person-Centered Approach to Health Care at Bishop DuBourg HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School
By: Mason Cotterel (MAT Class of 2022)

I have had the absolute pleasure of learning and developing my professional skills at my first clinical site, Bishop DuBourg High School. During my time at DuBourg, I have helped provide care to a variety of sports, such as Cross country, Girls volleyball, tennis, softball, and cheer. As well as Boys Soccer, and as we approach the winter months Boys Basketball too. Although different than most years, I have gained an amazing clinical experience thanks to my preceptor, Nathan Jarman, MAT, CES, ATC. 


Nate is an experienced Athletic Trainer who works for SSM Health Sports Medicine. He has established Athletic Training as a key component of the Athletics culture at DuBourg. All coaches and athletes know that the Athletic Training services he provides to them, has a person-centered approach that makes everyone know that they are in good hands. I have been amazed with the positive impact having a good relationship with athletes has had on their care. 


I could not have imagined having a better first clinical experience than the one at DuBourg. As a future Healthcare Professional, I am excited to take what I have, and will, learn at DuBourg to optimize my ability to provide the best possible care to future patients. 

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.

November 12, 2020

SLU AT Students Inducted into Alpha Eta Allied Health Honor Society


The Saint Louis University chapter of Alpha Eta, the National Honor Society for Allied Health Professions, held its annual induction ceremony virtually at Saint Louis University on November 12, 2020.


The society is named for the Greek letters equivalent to the first letters of Allied Health (AH), which are Alpha Eta.  The purpose of the Society is the promotion and recognition of significant scholarship, leadership, and contributions to the allied health professions.

The following SLU AT students were honored in this year's ceremony:
  • Madelyn Cavanaugh - Carmel, Indiana (MAT Class of 2022)
  • Amra Kardasevic - St. Louis, Missouri (MAT Class of 2022)
  • Katie Wissing - Brookfield, Wisconsin (MAT Class of 2022)
Congratulations to this year's Alpha Eta honorees!

November 10, 2020

SLU AT Student Adapts to Changing Conditions to Learn at Multiple Clinical Sites


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Cardinal Ritter College Prep and Harris Stowe State University
By: Katie Wissing (MAT Class of 2022)

“Unprecedented,” “new normal,” and “fluid” are some phrases that are becoming more and more common during this COVID-19 pandemic. I would agree that my clinical experience has been unprecedented and fluid as I try to adjust to this new normal. Although the pandemic has created restrictions or delays in athletic seasons and protocols, Cara Bowton, ATC, MAT, at Cardinal Ritter College Prep and Tim Herlihy, ATC, at Harris-Stowe State University, have shown me what it means to be a flexible, efficient athletic trainer. 


Between the mundane tasks of COVID-19 screening and temperature checks, I have been able to develop my repertoire of rehabilitation exercises and interprofessional relationships. Tim has taught me the importance of focusing on the big picture of rehab; exercises need to encompass total body stability and strengthening. He not only focuses on the issue at hand, but ensures the athlete can address functional issues to reduce chances of reinjury. Cara has reminded me that rehab should be user friendly and accessible to anyone. Ensuring that the athlete can do all exercises at home without needing special, expensive equipment allows for a more complete rehabilitation that can be done anywhere. Athletic training truly is a collaboration with any other health-care providers (whether that be a team physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, or otherwise) and the athlete; this requires constant collaboration and communication. 


Additionally, with limited interactions due to the pandemic, I have learned how important it is to make lasting connections with your athletes. The trust that is built between an athletic trainer and her athlete is crucial to providing quality care; when face to face interactions may be limited, the opportunity to build this trust is expedited. Communication, especially during an uncertain time, is crucial; every day brings a new adjustment or protocol. Learning to work and connect with school administrators, the athletes, and parents has been an invaluable opportunity I get to experience every week at Cardinal Ritter College Prep and Harris-Stowe State University. 

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.

November 09, 2020

SLU AT Student Appreciates Support from Preceptor and Community at Westminster Christian Academy


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy
By: Brittany Risko (MAT Class of 2022)

This fall semester so far, we have conquered so many things as a program, college, and university. I have had the opportunity this fall semester to participate in my first clinical experience in the SLU AT Program. I am thankful to have been placed at Westminster Christian Academy with Katherine Love, MAT, ATC, who works for Mercy Sports Medicine and is a graduate from SLU’s AT Graduate Program. It has been a great experience so far! We had a slow start at first due to only practices being held and the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 Pandemic however, I liked being able to get the know the athletes and faculty better before heading into games. 


Katherine is a great preceptor I have learned a lot of skills professionally from her. She has a lot of knowledge to offer and is always there to answer questions. I am starting to get a lot more hands on in my experience with the help of Katherine pushing me to just try things out because it’s better to try and mess up a few times so that she can help teach me how to do it right or guide me in the right direction so that the next time that something similar arises I have the skills to take care of it. I have enjoyed the challenges that she gives me so that I can grow more confident in my skills and abilities as a student athletic trainer.  


The WCA community has been very welcoming with my service dog Penelope as well. Penelope has also had a great time working in her first clinical setting. Penelope’s favorite things include riding in the gator, waiting patiently for an ice cube out of the ice machine, and playing with the football players while they wait to get taped. One of Penelope’s best skill so far in her clinical experience is finding Katherine in the AT room. Overall, Penelope is having a pawesome time as well at Westminster Christian Academy. 

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.

November 01, 2020

SLU AT Student Benefits from Autonomy Provided by Preceptor at DeSmet Jesuit HS


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - DeSmet Jesuit High School
By: Joey Wenzl (MAT Class of 2021)
This semester at De Smet high school has been unlike any of my previous clinical rotations. While there have been practices going on the entire semester, we were unsure exactly what they were practicing for, as games were not being allowed to happen in St. Louis County. This made the practices seem meaningless, but I enjoyed getting to practice my skills in a situation where I had to get them back to playing as soon as possible and could be a little more methodical in my evaluation and any potential rehabilitation. Although, with the no games scheduled, the coaches had practices that were less intense and as a result there weren’t many injuries for me to evaluate. 



Most of the beginning part of the days was spent taking temperatures as a safety precaution and as the semester progressed, there was an app that all students had to complete as well that we checked to make sure they were symptom free. Not exactly the most exciting thing to do, but since it was mandated by the county we decided that it would be best to do. We have progressed to just relying on the symptom check that the athletes do before school now to suffice for our own checks. 


Now that there are games, practices have picked up in intensity and there are more opportunities for me to continue my growth and improve on my skills. In addition to this, some of the players and coaches are starting to trust me more and are allowing me to do more than I had been doing. My preceptor, Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer and SLU alum Dan Herrin MAT, ATC provides supervision and helps me along if I get stuck, but the trust from the players is a confidence booster and having them come to me with their problems and allowing me the first look is something that has helped my growth tremendously. 

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.