SLU AT Program Celebrates 2018 Graduates

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program celebrated its 2018 graduating students in the Doisy College of Health Sciences Precommencement Ceremony on May 18th and University Commencement on May 19th at Chaifetz Arena.

An additional highlight of the Doisy College Precommencement was 2018 Master of Athletic graduate Killian Hollo outstanding performance of the national anthem!

Congratulations to SLU's 2018 Master of Athletic Training graduates:

• Adam Beck
• Madeleine Bresnahan
• Bridget Bushong
• CJ Butler
• Ryan Dale
• Donielle Francis
• Caitlin Gibson
• Jenna Ginsberg
• Killian Hollo
• Alex Hubbs
• Michael Milek
• Patrick O'Neill
• Wyatt Whitegoat
• Benjamin Wildman

Congratulations to students in the SLU's 3+2 program track from the MAT Class of 2019; who received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Degree in 2018:

• Juan Calero Alonso
• Catherine Chua
• Rory Cusack
• Matthew Eifert
• Erin Fabbri
• Ryan Frantz
• Grant Hollander
• Cody Hutson
• Danielle Jabczynski
• Paul Lamb
• Brian Leach
• Chase Long
• Christopher Mecherle
• Sarah Menzuber
• Matt Murphy
• Maggie Rowell
• Justin Ullom

SLU Pre-professional AT Student is Excited for the Next Step in Her Unique Path to Athletic Training

New AT Student Blog Post - Alejandra Chavez-Hernandez (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

I entered the Athletic Training program in Fall 2016 as a transfer student, and it’s crazy to think I will be a PY1 this upcoming Fall!

I did not take the traditional path to college, but that has not stopped me from having amazing opportunities as an AT student at SLU. Some of the highlights of my time in the AT program have been through the directed observation opportunities. I had really great experiences being a DO student, but two of my favorites were observing at Harris Stowe State University and attending the SEC Gymnastics event.

Attending the SEC Gymnastics was a fun experience because it was the first time I had ever seen gymnastics in person and I was amazed at the skill and dedication the gymnasts had for the sport. Two PY1 students and I were there, Adam Long and Matt Eifert. They were both really great to work with that day! Despite the busy environment at this event, I paid close attention to how the athletic trainers from the different colleges there that day treated their athletes. Being at the SEC Gymnastics event gave me the opportunity to see how athletic trainers work in a much larger setting, which was a really unique experience that I am really grateful to have had as a pre-professional AT student. It was awesome seeing how close of a relationship the athletic trainers had with their athletes, and it was clear to me that the athletes were very thankful for all that their athletic trainers were doing for them. I am really looking forward to one day having that type of relationship with the athletes I work with as I enter the professional phase of the program.

Another great observation opportunity was when I went to Harris Stowe State University. Killian Hollo, who is a PY2 student, and the head Athletic Trainer Tim Herlihy ATC were very welcoming and really made me feel involved in the few hours that I was there observing. I learned a lot that day and I even got to see a chiropractor work with the student athletes! That was a really cool experience and it was great talking to the chiropractors and learn more about their profession.

I am so happy and grateful for all the amazing opportunities I have had at SLU. I can’t wait to see the amazing opportunities to come.

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

SLU AT Students Grow Through Preceptor's Trust in a Comprehensive Approach at Harris-Stowe

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Harris-Stowe State University
By: Killian Hollo (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Juan Calero Alonso (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

The experience at HSSU this spring of 2018 has been one of great value. Progressing through the semester, Tim, the Athletic Department, and the athletes have trusted us with comprehensive patient care. This care sometimes means managing an immediate situation. This care sometimes involves a more scholarly task like documenting in sportswear for 45 minutes. Though not always glamorous, each of these angles of patient management has shown their value to mold Athletic Training master level students into groomed healthcare professionals.

Each day builds more trust with the Hornet family. As the relationship builds, we see more about our patients and Athletic Department than just the visible. What was once black and white is replaced by the brown and gold color of unique trends and quirky natures that only Harris Stowe could bring out. And that in essence becomes part of an Athletic Trainer of the university. The role not only provides medical care to student athletes, but also yields another outlying personality to keep the hornet family functioning at its interesting self. Graduation from SLU comes soon. We don’t know what it will bring. A job might take us overseas or keep us close to home. What we do know is that the experience at HSSU will travel with us, with the lessons from friends made along the way.

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.

SLU AT Students Conduct Workshop on Sports Medicine Skills for 2nd Year Medical Students

Athletic Training Sports Medicine Night with SLU 2nd Year Medical Students

By: Bridget Bushong (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society hosted a sports medicine night with second year medical students who have an interest in sports medicine. This workshop had three stations, run by Professional Year 2 (PY2) and 1 (PY1) students in the AT program, for the students to rotate through during the event. The stations included concussion testing, ankle taping and emergency spine boarding. While the PY2s were the group leaders, there were also several PY1s assisting during the sessions as well as undergraduate students who were models for taping and spine boarding.

This event is a great way to collaborate with other medical professionals and increase patient care by having an interprofessional team assisting with the care. While ATs are specifically trained to diagnosis, treat and manage concussions, apply assistive taping and handle emergency spine boarding situations it is important for other medical professionals to understand and be able to assist if necessary. The 2nd year medical students had great questions during each session that showed they were extremely interested in the sports medicine field. 

Overall this event was a huge success for spreading knowledge about the athletic training profession and building interprofessional teamwork. The group leaders for the concussion session were Killian Hollo, Adam Long and Paul Lamb. Group leaders for the taping session were Madeleine Bresnahan, Erin Fabbri and Rory Cusack. Taping Models were Claire Ditman and Cheyenne Meinershagen. The group leaders for the spine boarding were Bridget Bushong, Jenna Ginsberg and Ben Wildman, models included Mitchell Buerck and Allison Stefan.

A big thank you to all of those who participated in the event!

SLU AT Student Feels Fortunate to Refine Clinical Skills with Preceptor at Harris-Stowe State University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Harris-Stowe State University
By: Killian Hollo (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

I am finally in the PY2 year of the SLU Athletic Training program. As the graduation with the Master of Athletic Training degree approaches in May, I find myself eager to refine and hone in on the skills I will need to be independently competent in following my entry to professional practice. Harris-Stowe State University is the clinical stage which I have and will continue to practice these skills until my graduation. Mentored by preceptor Timothy Herlihy ATC, I practice in an intriguing setting.

This is the first time I have worked with a single Athletic Trainer providing care to all the sports teams of a university. Having juggled that responsibility for the last seven years, Tim has experience and wisdom which not all Athletic Trainers have. I feel lucky to learn from him.

As we provide medical care to seven different sports teams, my clinical education sometimes focuses as much on logistical medical management and time efficiency as much as actual clinical skills. I have often found myself multitasking with multiple patient care responsibilities. In these situations it has been beneficial to display task priority, time efficiency, and effective communication with the patients. Furthermore, we often teach the student athletes “self- help” to promote quality care and injury progression even if they are not with us at that moment. What can the patient be doing to better themselves without one on one time with the Athletic Trainer?  For accessibility and prudent sake, we mostly stay around the Athletic Training room when there is not a game commencing. That way, any one of the sports teams knows where to find us at all times. There we keep busy with assessments, treatments, and rehabilitation. As of last week, all sports of this semester are in season so we have been experiencing some interesting days with all types of people coming to visit us.
Harris Stowe athletics has formed a good partnership with Logan University of Chiropractic Medicine. The doctoral students from Logan are eager to work with athletes so they come once a week. Every Wednesday I have the opportunity to learn from them and better understand a different culture of medicine. 

The Harris Stowe community seems much like a family and I am grateful to be learning there. I am excited to get to know the community better and better as I become more and more fluent in the practice of Athletic Training and strategies at Harris Stowe.  I know it will be a great year.
 

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.

SLU AT Student Improves the Patient Experience with Healthcare at SSM Health/Cardinal Glennon SportsCare

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - SSM Health/Cardinal Glennon SportsCare

By: Killian Hollo (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

SportsCare at SSM Health/Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is a unique company which connects Cardinal Glennon physicians through community outreach techniques. Here with preceptor Katie Smith ATC, We form partnerships with youth organizations around the greater Saint Louis and west Illinois areas and then try to acquire referrals for the Cardinal Glennon Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Doctors. This has shown to be an interesting business technique by the hospital as well as an untraditional role for an Athletic Trainer to work in. My experience with SportsCare has not only exposed me to interprofessional practice in the hospital, but also the value an Athletic Trainer’s skillsets could have outside of a traditional work setting.

Every day is different. In the morning we might be in the office handling referral logistics or creating outreach education tools. In the afternoon we may visit youth athletic organizations such as a gymnastics gym or a peewee football camp. Varying weekly schedules have kept me on my toes and taught me to keep an open mind to any task in any situation. It is important to have an Athletic Trainer for this job for a few reasons. We can do the necessary assessments on individuals to determine the proper healthcare steps needed. Also, we can educate individuals on things like CPR/AED/First Aid and can educate other healthcare professionals on sports related injury care such as equipment removal, splinting, and concussion protocol. Moments like these remind me of how valuable the Athletic Training education is and give me pride to be in an internship which allows opportunities of interprofessional exposure.

Building relationships with people can go a long way with SportsCare. Sometimes just talking to a parent for a few minutes makes all the difference. They may never know they would have needed our service, but by chance when their child suffers an unforeseen injury, the family has our phone number on the free giveaway we gave them. It’s not the hospitals phone number, but one of the outreach liaison’s personal numbers. The family knows us already from that previous conversation and now they can feel comfortable as they are guided through the healthcare system.  

Through this experience I have really begun to see the greater picture of the healthcare industry. Whether it was in the clinic with Dr. Kaar or a conversation at a soccer tournament preceding that physician appointment, Cardinal Glennon SportsCare puts the autonomy of the family first at the greatest convenience to that family as possible. As the intern I strive to be as malleable as possible in whatever role facilitates that goal.  

I’ve learned it’s the little things that go a long way with healthcare. If I can listen intently, present myself respectfully, and stay humble I can be an integral part in any patient’s experience for the better.

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.

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Enjoys Observation in the High School Clinical Setting at Bishop DuBourg

New AT Student Blog Post - Erin Fabbri (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This semester I have enjoyed directly observing many different PY1 and PY2 students at their various high school and collegiate clinical sites.  I had the privilege of observing Killian Hollo as a PY1 student and Olivia Robinson as a PY2 student under SSM/SLU Hospital Athletic Trainer Nathan F. Jarman MAT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES/PES at Bishop DuBourg HS. I experienced numerous rehab programs they did for a few of their athletes along with evaluations that occurred during the soccer games involving sprained ankles, hip flexor strain, and a head collision. One major thing that stood out to me at this clinical site is that both Killian and Olivia work with Nate to improve athletes’ strength, efficiency and workouts in the weight room. 

I learned a lot about athletic training observing at this clinical site. I felt very welcomed and was engaged the entire time. I am extremely excited to start my PY1 year at a clinical site and start practicing as an athletic training student. I am very comfortable around the high school setting but I look forward to compare the difference between the collegiate setting once I officially start clinicals. 

I loved seeing the relationships all the athletes have with Nate, Killian, and Olivia. I hopefully will be able to observe at Bishop DuBourg again before the semester ends. I have gained a lot of knowledge this semester observing as a DO student at every clinical site. Now having these connections with the older SLU AT students and preceptors will benefit me in my future.

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

SLU AT Students Experience Holistic and Collaborative Clinical Setting at Bishop DuBourg HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School
By: Olivia Robinson (SLU MAT Class of 2017) and Killian Hollo (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

This spring semester at Bishop DuBourg High School has been great. Killian is the newest addition to our team, and as a PY1, has really enjoyed the change in atmosphere after having his college rotation last semester. We have been caring for winter and spring sports along with our preceptor Nathan F. Jarman MAT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES/PES from SSM-SLU Hospital Sports Medicine.

This winter we worked closely with boys and girls basketball. It was awesome to work with brand new additions to DuBourg’s coaching staff, and watch the teams develop into a family. Spring sports are now in full swing. We have been collaborating with our basketball coaches to work on enhancing performance for next years season. We are also working on overall strength and efficiency with a variety of in season athletes.

At Bishop DuBourg we are the first, and many times, the last line of medical care for our athletes. We develop personal connections with them from evaluation to recovery. We counsel the students daily about good life choices, nutrition, and general physical and mental health. This means that we are more to these kids than just professionals. We are friends and role moles.

We are looking forward to an exciting and healthy spring season at DuBourg, and are ready to bring home some wins! GO CAVALIERS!

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.

SLU AT Student Learns More than Clinical Skills from Preceptor at Missouri Baptist University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Missouri Baptist University
By: Killian Hollo (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

This semester’s clinical experience at Missouri Baptist University has not only expanded my Athletic Training skillsets, but also my understanding of the profession itself. I work with MOBAP’s Football team. The Athletic Trainers arrive in the morning to do paperwork and things of that nature. Three hours before practice, the Athletic Trainers do rehab with the athletes. Before practice, we do water, base set up, and taping. We watch over the players during practice. Finally, we do treatments until two hours after practice. I mention this daily routine because before this experience I didn’t know what college football ATs’ days looked like.  My Preceptor Michael Nolan ATC told me that his job is a selfless devotion to student athletes. At this Catholic university I am humbled to be a part of this progressive and spiritual environment.

My first day at the site, I was alarmed by how many individuals wanted to be taped. As a dozen players entered the room at once, my preceptor looked at me and said, “Do you know how to tape?” I jumped right into the mix. The athletes were trying me on for size, watching every rip of tape and asking questions with skeptical mindsets. This is when I learned my first lesson of Athletic Training.

Confidence is a key component to gain respect of patients. I know a breadth of knowledge that would assist these individuals with injuries, but I had to radiate it to be given the opportunity. This type of attitude enabled early opportunities. After only a week, my preceptor had handed off a chronic ankle injury case to me during rehab. My preceptor actually let me implement some rehab activity homework on my own. Little by little word of mouth spread through the players that there was another trustworthy person to visit about an injury and my days became even more interesting.  I was capable, but over the next six weeks, the confidence, communication, and repertoire would improve.

I am fortunate to be able to treat these players with a variety of therapeutic modalities. On a daily basis I could be found doing treatments with ultrasound, different variations of electric stimulation, combo (electric stimulation and ultrasound), hot packs, ice, Normatech (compression therapy), Game Ready (cryotherapy and compression), and Paraffin. For a few weeks I really had to just assist other trainers as they applied treatments. Now I know how to function the machines and calibrate them properly.  As our Modalities class has progressed, I have better learned the concepts of this science.

These hands on opportunities are valuable as a PY1. I am excited to have been a part of the Indianapolis road win (42-43) which was MOBAP’s first win in two years. They also won the following game this past week in overtime marking the first time MOBAP football has ever earned back to back wins. After many losses the teammates had lost faith in each other. These past two weeks have really brought the team together. I am eager to see what the coming weeks will bring.

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.