SLU Athletic Training Student Experiences Life as a High School Athletic Trainer

By: Jeremy Gries (MAT Class of 2025)

    My clinical assignment at De Smet Jesuit High School has been a positive learning experience. At De Smet, I am able to practice many of the skills that I am learning in the classroom, such as wound care, modalities, taping, and manual therapy. I also assist my preceptor, Alex Brody ATC, with injury evaluations and rehabilitation. I've enjoyed building strong bonds with the athletes I work with daily. These connections are what make athletic training so special for me. My time at De Smet has positively impacted my growth as a professional in this field.

    This experience taught me how vital it is to make decisions on the spot, think on your feet, and juggle multiple tasks as an athletic trainer. These abilities aren't typically taught in the classroom but are honed through real-world practice in a clinical setting. I'm thankful to De Smet Jesuit and the SLU AT Program for allowing me to sharpen these skills in this setting.

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 Athletic Training Student Gain Clinical Experience with Two Program Alumni

By: Tori Connelly (MAT Class of 2025)

    This Fall I have finally started the long awaited clinical journey at Pattonville High School. In the few months I have been here I have learned so much from my Preceptors Alex Hubbs MAT, ATC and Emily Haley MAT, ATC, both who are SLU AT Program alums. 

    Pattonville High School has many Fall sports going on making it a very busy after school AT room. Both Alex and Emily have quickly pushed me out of my comfort zone to help with evals, and taping. Despite it being busy they always go into great detail about the evals they complete so I can ask more questions and be prepared to do it in the future. It's always an interesting and “keep you on your toes day” at Pattonville and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

    Not only has this site been great for early hands-on learning, it has been an extremely welcoming and fun site not just from my preceptors but from all of the student-athletes, coaches, AD, and additional staff. This was truly the best place for me to start my clinical experience and I can only imagine how much I will continue to learn this semester.

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 Athletic Training Students Return to Their High School for Clinical Experience

By: Olivia Hiscox & Kris Koenig ( MAT Class of 2025)

    Kris Koenig and Olivia Hiscox, PY1s, have been placed at Kirkwood High School this fall with Kelsey Cunningham, an ATC with Athletico. Our experiences at Kirkwood High School have been engaging, insightful, and entertaining. Having Clinicals at a high school has allowed us to understand the dynamics between trainers and high school athletes and recognize the chaotic nature of fall sports and scheduling. Kelsey has been very welcoming and allowed us to ease into the swing of things. As we developed more confidence and competence in the training room, she would give us more autonomy to do certain assessments and modalities which gave us a more realistic insight into what it is like to be an AT. 

    We feel most appreciative and proud of being an AT student when we are on the sidelines during games, celebrating with the team, and being there for athletes when they get injured. The feeling that you get when you are on the field and seeing the student-athlete that you have been helping competing and succeeding is unmatched. We could not be more grateful for our time together with Kelsey and Kirkwood High School athletes and all they have been able to teach us. We cannot wait to see what else Kelsey and KHS have in store for us for the rest of our first semester experiencing clinical hours. 

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 amazing immersive clinical experience with the Gateway Grizzlies

By Yu-Heng Hu (MAT Class of 2024)

My summer experience with the Gateway Grizzlies has been an extraordinary and unparalleled opportunity, undoubtedly the coolest I have ever had. Working alongside my experienced and dedicated preceptor, Geof Manzo, who boasts an impressive fifteen-year tenure with the Grizzlies, has been nothing short of inspiring.

Each day, from 2 o'clock in the afternoon until 6:45pm, I found myself immersed in a world of learning and skill development. Manzo's guidance and support not only allowed me numerous opportunities to practice and refine my scraping, cupping, and massage techniques but also provided me with invaluable insights into the world of athletic training.

I cannot express enough gratitude to both my preceptor and the esteemed SLU athletic training program for bestowing upon me this incredibly valuable experience. This opportunity has not only broadened my knowledge and skill set but has also ignited a deep passion within me for sports medicine and athletic training. As I move forward in my career, I am confident that the lessons and experiences from this summer will remain an integral part of my journey toward becoming a skilled and compassionate healthcare professional.

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 immersive clinical experience with Bluetail Medical Group

By Julia Martinez (MAT Class of 2024)

My experience at Bluetail has been remarkable. I’ve been watching Dr. Bayes and his PA, Paige Rakers, treat patients and perform medical diagnosis and various innovative medical procedures. This includes performing tests, reviewing X-ray and MRI images, using an ultrasound, and performing treatments, such as injections. I am rooming patients that involves getting their vitals, asking history questions, and performing any tests I need to test for the injury. I have also learned how to operate an ultrasound and assist in any treatments. 

This has helped my professional development because I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned and apply it in a clinic setting that has different age groups. I really love learning from Dr. Bayes and Paige. They are very helpful as well as the medical assistants that work there. I’m thankful they treat me like I’m one of them and they are all great teachers! I’m really enjoying my time at Bluetail. 

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 has amazing immersive clinical experience with SLU

By I-Chen Lee (MAT Class of 2024)

Learning alongside our preceptor, Johnathan Burch, at the Saint Louis University men's basketball team has been an invaluable and collaborative experience for us as AT students. The collegiate setting has been appealing and eye-opening to the unique challenges and opportunities that come with caring for elite athletes. The dynamic nature of the team environment has been both thrilling and demanding, pushing us to grow both personally and professionally. We have appreciated the mental challenges we face on a day-to-day basis, always having to utilize problem-solving and critical thinking skills to achieve each unique goal. 

JB has played a pivotal role in shaping our clinical experience. His exceptional organizational skills have established a clear framework for our work, ensuring that we maintain a high standard of care. Moreover, he possesses a true teaching spirit, always encouraging us to approach our tasks with strong and well-reasoned perspectives. This approach has fostered critical thinking and a deepened understanding of the athletic training profession. We greatly appreciate JB and his staff as well as the SLU Men’s Basketball family for providing us with the best possible environment for growing and developing our clinical skillsets in preparation for our last year of program. 

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.