April 25, 2023

SLU AT Student participates in hands-on patient care in high school setting

By Alex Davis (MAT Class of 2023)

This semester, I returned back at Alton High School learning more from Andy Renner.  So far, we have been covering basketball and wrestling, helping athletes through their rehab, and I have been studying for the BOC exam.  This has been a great experience having Andy as one of my mentors.  He is a great teacher and a great athletic trainer that does not get many SLU students due to the distance between the school and campus.  These past few weeks have been exciting watching the girls’ basketball team work their way to sectionals and being able to help with the MVC tournament at Enterprise center last week with fellow SLU students.  

This experience has helped me become better at all my skills as a future AT and it has been great getting to experience this with Andy.  It is awesome getting to learn about how he came into the profession, and it is also a great to be with someone that is apart of an organization that I will so become a part of (IATA vice president).  He has helped me study for the BOC exam and helped me understand what I need to do for licensure and gave me suggestions on where to get my continuing education credits after I graduate.

This has been a wonderful school year getting to learn from Andy and being with the athletes at   Alton High School



This is one of a series of posts authored by students enrolled in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program. The number of clinical sites, the quality and diversity of the clinical experience opportunities, and the contemporary expertise of our preceptors are strengths of the CAATE Accredited SLU AT Program.


SLU AT Student gains clinical experience with D1 athletic programs


By: Alex Smith (MAT Class of 2023)

My name is Alex Smith, and I am a PY2 in the athletic training curriculum. My clinical site is at Saint Louis University. I am fortunate enough to collaborate alongside the preceptors in the athletic training facility at a division I collegiate level. My preceptor for this clinical experience is Elena Mellilo, ATC. 


I am fortunate to participate in athletic training duties with my preceptor that covers cross country, track and field, and women’s basketball. Each day, I am able to assist with therapeutic treatments on the patients, monitor practice, and then provide recovery regimens after. The experience has been nothing but exciting. New injuries that I have gotten little exposure of or have even seen have occurred while at my site. This experience has also helped me build my professional development as I can understand how to manage a division I level collegiate team. I obviously am thankful for all the patients that I have worked with and have understood my role. And a special gratitude to my preceptor, Elena, for giving me the opportunities to grow as a future athletic trainer. 






April 24, 2023

SLU Athletic Training Program Hosts MAT Capstone Day on May 5, 2023


Students in the Saint Louis University Master of Athletic Training Class of 2023 will be presenting their Capstone Projects in the Multipurpose Room of the Allied Health Professions Building on SLU's South Campus as well as virtually on-line on May 6, 2022 starting at 9:00 am.


The event is open to the public, and presentation of these projects mark the completion of their experience as students in the SLU Athletic Training Program.

2023 MAT Capstone Day Schedule

9:00 AM - Mason Remeis
Eccentric Exercise and Its Effect with Pain Reduction in Athletes Suffering from Patellar Tendinopathy Injuries: A Critically Appraised Topic

9:15 AM - Olivia Mani
The Effects of Caffeine Consumption on Athletic Performance in Endurance and Strength Activities: A Critically Appraised Topic

9:30 AM - Alex Smith
Traumatic Partial Patellar Tendon Tear in a Female Basketball Player: A case report 

9:45 AM - Lauren Swords
The Influence of Joint Mobilizations on Chronic Ankle Instability: A Literature Review

10:00 AM - Giovanna Charles
The Emotional Health of a Secondary School Multi-Sport Athlete: A Case Study

10:15 AM - Alex Davis
The Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Training During Postoperative ACLR Rehabilitation: A Critically Appraised Topic

10:30 AM - Stacie Galo 
Rehabilitation Considerations for use of Allograft in the Surgical Repair of Osteochondral Lesions Combined with ACL Reconstruction: A Case Study 

10:45 AM -  Emily Haley
Nutritional Supplementation Use in the Management of Concussion: A Literature review

11:00 AM - Muharem Komic
Effectiveness of Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump Power in Female Basketball Players: A Critically Appraised Topic

11:15 AM - Eldwin Neritani
The Effectiveness of Nordic Hamstring Exercises in Reducing Recurrent Hamstring Strain Injuries in Elite Level Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic

11:30 AM - Mary Margaret Cannatella
Post-Operative Outcomes and Return to Play in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Literature Review 

11:45 AM - Jordan Hyink
Effectiveness of Kinesiotape on Scapular Dyskinesis in Asymptomatic Overhead Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic

12:00 NOON - RECOGNITION CEREMONY/PROGRAM AWARDS

Online Access via Zoom: 
For more information email Dr. Anthony Breitbach, Vice Dean and MAT Capstone Course Coordinator at anthony.breitbach@health.slu.edu.

April 05, 2023

SLU AT Student returns to alma mater for athletic training clinical experience at Fontbonne University

By: Lauren Smith (MAT Class of 2024)

My clinical experience at Fontbonne University has been going very well so far. I have enjoyed being able to come back to my alma mater and help provide the care that I once received as a former student athlete myself. It is also nice to see friends and familiar faces around although my role is different now.

Within the past couple months, I have already learned so much and built upon my skillset. I have done countless evals, treatments, and carried out multiple rehab plans. I have gotten to experience and do so many different things like E-stim, ultrasound, cupping, Graston, and GameReady. It’s been great to apply prior knowledge and skills that I learned in labs and also get the opportunity to learn new skills at the same time.


Although there is a lot more to improve on, I have noticed a huge change in my confidence level. I attribute a lot of that to my preceptors Samantha Hochmuth, MAT, LAT, ATC and Clay Thebeau, MAT, LAT, ATC. They always give me the go to look at an athlete who comes into the AT room with an injury and I jump at the opportunity. It’s been fun learning from Sammy and Clay, and I’m looking forward to even more learning experiences as the semester goes on.


This is one of a series of posts authored by students enrolled in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program. The number of clinical sites, the quality and diversity of the clinical experience opportunities, and the contemporary expertise of our preceptors are strengths of the CAATE Accredited SLU AT Program.


SLU AT Student gaining valuable hands-on clinical experience at Rockwood Summit High School


By: Jennifer HasslerMAT Class of 2024)

This semester I am completing my clinical rotation at Rockwood Summit High School with my preceptor and SLU alum Tony Mosello MAT, ATC, LAT. As a PY1 that transferred into SLU mid-year, Tony is phenomenal at not only fostering a learning environment but also making me feel welcome to the SLU family. While I have only been here a short amount of time, I can already see an improvement in my taping and evaluation skills. 


Rockwood Summit boasts many MSHSAA spring sports such as water polo, baseball, boys’ volleyball, and girls’ lacrosse which provides numerous opportunities for me to improve my skills with both lower and upper body injuries while also witnessing new sports. My preceptor allows me to take the lead during patient interactions, but is always available to provide positive criticism and talk through different scenarios afterwards. This style of teaching has allowed me to gain more confidence in myself and has renewed my excitement for my future career as a certified athletic trainer. I’m grateful for the warm welcome I have received from everyone at Rockwood Summit and the patience the athletes show as we work through various learning moments. I am looking forward to the remainder of the semester and my continued growth under Tony’s direction. 



This is one of a series of posts authored by students enrolled in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program. The number of clinical sites, the quality and diversity of the clinical experience opportunities, and the contemporary expertise of our preceptors are strengths of the CAATE Accredited SLU AT Program.