Athlone Student Connects Classroom and Clinical Learning with Preceptor at Bishop DuBourg HS

International Clinical Exchange - Saint Louis University and Athlone Institute of Technology

By: Patrick Coffey (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Student, Athlone Institute of Technology)

During my experience in St. Louis I was on placement at Bishop DuBourg high school. My preceptor there was Nathan Jarman MAT, ATC, from SSM SLU Hospital, and a PY1 student Becca McGrail. At the high school we covered a range of sports like American football, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross country, Cheerleaders, Basketball, Softball and wrestling. A lot of these sports would not be too common in Ireland so it was interesting to see the different sports and to deal with the different injuries that can occur from each sport. 

I am extremely happy to be put on placement with Nate as he creates an enjoyable environment for both ATs and athletes, making it very easy to learn while enjoying my time here. Nate showed me a lot of new techniques for both patient assessment and injury diagnosis of individual athletes which I would be confident practicing with future athletes. Getting the opportunity to work with Becca who is a PY1 student gave me an insight into the way athletic training is thought here in America compared to in Ireland, It gave me the opportunity to ask and answer questions about our different experiences as AT students. 

I found that Dr. Mike Markee’s rehabilitation class along with implementing these newly learned skills with Nate at Bishop DuBourg high school increased my rehabilitation skills immensely which is an area I wanted to improve on coming over here. I also enjoyed the opportunity to visit Busch Stadium, it was very interesting as we got the chance to see a professional team’s athletic training room along with talking to one of their athletic trainers.

In my final week on placement Nate organised for me to spend a morning observing surgery’s this was a fascinating experience and an area I would like to learn more about so to get the opportunity to observe different operations was an incredible opportunity for me.

In the final weeks of our time here in St. Louis we started placement with SLU women’s basketball I feel like it would have been a lot more beneficial if I got some hands on experience here however it was interesting to see the AT facilities which SLU athletics have and to see how different training room are run in comparison to at the high school level.

SLU AT Student Gets International and Collaborative Clinical Experience at Bishop DuBourg HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School
By: Rebecca McGrail (MAT Class of 2020) with Patrick Coffey (ARTi Student, AIT)

This semester I began my first clinical rotation experience at Bishop DuBourg High School. I am starting my first year of the professional program for Saint Louis University’s Master of Athletic Training Program. While being at Bishop DuBourg High School, I have had the opportunity to learn new techniques and improve my clinical skills under my preceptor Nathan Jarman ATC, from SSM Health-SLU Hospital Sports Medicine. I am also at this site with Patrick Coffey, who is an Athlone Institute of Technology student from Ireland. Nathan, Patrick, and I are involved with the care of all fall sports which keeps us on our toes. I have felt very welcomed at Bishop DuBourg High School by all of the coaches, staff, athletic director, and especially the student athletes.

During my time at Bishop DuBourg High School I have seem various types of injuries such as: ankle sprains, mid-foot sprains, fractured metatarsals, concussions, and different extremity dislocations. Thankfully, there have not been many serious injuries that prevent the athlete from returning to play, nor have we had to make any EMS calls for life-threatening injuries. It has been very interesting to be with an athletic training student from Ireland because I am able to see different approaches I would not normally be able to observe. I am very grateful for the hands-on experience I have at my clinical site, especially after evaluations when we collaborate to develop the best treatment option and rehabilitation programs for each athlete’s specific needs based on our findings.

Overall, I am having a great first clinical experience and have learned so much in the few months I have been here. I am excited to see what the rest of the semester will hold!

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 Appreciate the Support of Preceptor and Student-Athletes at Bishop DuBourg HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg
By:  CJ Butler (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Justin Ullom (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Compared to the fall season, Bishop DuBourg High School does not have as many winter sports, so there are not as many events during the winter season. However, this allowed us to form an close relationship with our preceptor Nathan Jarman ATC, from SSM-SLU Hospital, the athletes participating in sports.

These relationships we formed seemed to help make any evaluations and rehabilitation programs we did go much smoother, as we were able to build trusting relationships with the individuals on the teams. There were no significant injuries during the season, luckily, so most tasks that were completed were simply helping with chronic pain issues and muscular fatigue injuries often associated with the end of the season in any sport.

We also were able to work with the girls soccer team in their off-season development in order to prepare them for the eminent season. We spent weeks working on their cardiovascular endurance and their form for various lifts before we eventually progressed into working sprints and letting them lift with weight. Prior to tryouts for the season starting, we were able to get in about two good weeks of strength training to those players that were showing up.

As tryouts for spring sports have started, we are now beginning to work with the boys basketball team with a strength training program. It will be interesting to see if they can make the same amount of progress that the girls team did. We look forward to working with a more variety of sports this spring, as well as helping out with strength training programs for any off-season teams.

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.

Irish Exchange Students from Athlone Institute of Technology Build AT Clinical Skills and More at Saint Louis University

International Clinical Exchange - SLU and Athlone Institute of Technology

By: Jason Kenny and Jordan Finnegan (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy students - Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland)

Having being allowed the opportunity to further our athletic training skills abroad from our college in Ireland, we found ourselves in Saint Louis University thanks to the hard work of SLU faculty Dr. Tim Howell and Dr. Tony Breitbach. Having come here expecting to gain clinical experience we have managed to walk away with much more.

Coming from Ireland we got the opportunity to work with many sports we wouldn’t be familiar with such as volleyball, basketball and American football. This exposed us to many injuries we wouldn’t normally see back home.  Our day usually started early in the morning in the Chaifetz arena. We worked closely with many teams, in particular the volleyball team thanks to Tammy Pastor ATC. We participated in many different master program classes. We further improved our understanding of rehabilitation and treatment techniques, while also becoming great friends with our fellow peers.

We were at Bishop DuBourg High School under the guidance of our preceptor Nate Jarman MAT, ATC who was excellent at furthering our knowledge in clinical reasoning, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning. We can’t thank Nate enough for the exposure he let us have while working under him. Having never thought about working at a high school it turned out to be our most enjoyable experience as an Athletic Training student and is a place we could see ourselves working in the future. We worked alongside fellow students Cat Chua and C.J. Butler where we shared our knowledge and experiences over the 4 months. (They were also the cheapest taxis in St. Louis!).

The list of things we accomplished and stories we have to tell could go on and on. From playing Gaelic football and Rugby each week, to taping Ironman’s ankles at the Marvel Universe Live Show! The friendships we have made will last a lifetime and this is an open invite for any of you to come visit us. Hopefully we will be remembered for more than just our social festivities around St. Louis. 

The only disappointing aspect of our time here is that it unfortunately has to come to an end.

Thanks for everything St. Louis!

SLU AT Students Get a Multicultural Sports Medicine Experience at Bishop DuBourg High School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School

By: CJ Butler (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Cat Chua (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This semester at Bishop DuBourg High School we have had the opportunity to not only increase our academic knowledge of athletic training but also our cultural knowledge. Initially we worked with Pablo Merino and Juan Miguel Rodriguez Perez, two physiotherapy students from Camilo Jose Cela University in Madrid Spain. They taught us a lot about the differences in medicine in Spain compared to the U.S. and other techniques that we can use to give our patients the best possible care. After Pablo and Juanmi left, two athletic training students from Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland, Jason Kenny and Jordan Finnegan, are with us for the rest of the semester. It has been a great learning experience for both of us to get different viewpoints and practices from these different cultures.

Our preceptor, Nate Jarman, MAT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES/PES, who works at Bishop DuBourg through SSM Health/SLU Hospital, has also helped us learn a lot, especially when it comes to strength and conditioning. He recently started a summer strengthening course for athletes to participate in, which has shown us how year round training affects the athlete’s performance and health. We are constantly quizzed and taught new ideas from Nate who takes a full body approach in the rehabilitation of injured athletes.

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.

UCJC Clinical Exchange Students Have Memorable American Experience at SLU and Bishop DuBourg HS

Our Experience in the United States

By: Pablo Merino and Juan Miguel Rodríguez Pérez

Our trip to USA more than worthwhile. We experienced what being an athletic trainer is, which similarities and differences exist between physical therapist and athletic trainers, and how important both are. As main differences, we can say that as an athletic trainer, you’ll have the opportunity to manage as well emergency and first aid. We were lucky enough (sadly, not the athletes) to experience problems that ranged from simple bruises to fractures or concussions that cerebral edema complications. We also had the opportunity to learn how to put on stiches and knots on…bananas!

Athletic trainers are very different from anything we know in Spain. They take care from first aid to return to play as well as prevention and counselling, also spotting psychological issues that that players may be withstanding, using very different approach to what we know in Spain. You’ll be surprised in the way injuries are managed here, not better or worse, just different. Just make sure you have your taping, stretching and functional exercise notes handy!

It is also a great opportunity to practice your English, to laugh about each other’s funny accents and weird words spoken. As travel-lovers, we enjoyed spending our weekends and some holydays visiting some of the most emblematic USA places such as Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, Las Vegas, Yosemite Park, Grand Canyon, San Francisco or Los Angeles. We had the chance to enjoy sports we don’t have back in Spain such as Football (American, not the true one though) and Baseball. But, spoiler Alert! Sadly, as far as we got to know, you won’t be allowed to visit any stadium offseason. 

We were able to share knowledge across east to west and vice versa. 

This experience was so enriching not only professionally but personally. We had the very luck to meet Nate Jarman, Severyn Jarman, C.J Butler and Cat Chua. This people here were not only happy to teach and learn with an open mind, but embraced us both with open hearts. 

This experience has taught us far beyond what physical therapy and athletic training is, showing us what a great country and people the USA can harbor. I can assure this experience would’ve been so very different (in a bad way) if these people hadn’t been there, inside and/or outside the professional environment. I would like to cash in on this words to thank Tammy Pastor for taking care of us in SLU no matter it wasn’t her job at all, and drove us around college Athletic Trainer experience. And last but not least, thanks Dr. Tony Breitbach and Alvaro García-Romero for making this experience come true!

Nuestra experiencia en los Estados Unidos

Por: Pablo Merino y Juan Miguel Rodríguez Pérez

Nuestro viaje a Estados Unidos ha merecido mucho la pena. Hemos experimentado lo que es ser un Athletic Trainer, pudiendo comprobar las similitudes y diferencias que existen entre el fisioterapeuta y el Athletic Trainer, así como cuál es su papel en el deporte y lo importantes que son. Como principales diferencias, podemos decir que un Athletic Trainer tiene la posibilidad de manejar situaciones de emergencia y primeros auxilios. Tuvimos la suerte (no se puede decir lo mismo de los atletas) de ver situaciones que van desde pequeños hematomas a fracturas y conmociones cerebrales con las complicaciones del edema cerebral. También tuvimos la oportunidad de aprender cómo coser y grapar heridas abiertas… en plátanos!!!

Los Athletics Trainers son muy diferentes a lo que tenemos entendido en España. No solo se encargan de la asistencia de primeros auxilios durante el partido, para la vuelta al terreno de juego, sino que además realizan la prevención y el asesoramiento individual de cada atleta, detectando también los problemas psicológicos que les pueden afectar y utilizando un enfoque muy diferente de lo que sabemos en España para solucionarlo. Uno se sorprende de la forma en que las lesiones se manejan en EEUU, no mejor ni peor, sólo diferente. Solo hay que asegurarse de tener a mano todos los conocimientos y apuntes sobre estiramientos, ejercicio funcional y propiocepción.

También es una gran oportunidad para practicar el inglés, para reírse de los acentos divertidos y las palabras extrañas que puede llegar a decir cada uno, con la correspondiente risa de los americanos. Como amantes de los viajes, cada fin de semana, y algunos días de vacaciones después, hemos disfrutado de multitud de aventuras visitando algunos de los lugares más emblemáticos de los Estados Unidos como Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, Las Vegas, Yosemite Park, El Gran Cañón, San Francisco o Los Ángeles. Tuvimos la oportunidad de disfrutar de deportes que no tenemos en España, como el fútbol (el americano, no el verdadero) y el béisbol. Pero una cosa más (Alerta), lamentablemente no se permite visitar cualquier estadio de estos deportes fuera de la temporada. 

Esta experiencia no solo fue enriquecedora profesionalmente, pudiendo compartir multitud de conocimientos, sino también personalmente. Tuvimos la suerte de conocer a Nate Jarman, Severyn Jarman ATC, C.J. Butler y Cat Chua, a los que agradecemos muchas cosas. Esta gente no solo nos enseñó cada día cosas nuevas, siempre con una sonrisa, sino que nos acogió desde el principio y nos trataron siempre como a uno más.  Además de la fisioterapia y el Athletic Trainer, nos han dado la oportunidad de conocer como es ese gran país y la gente de EEUU.

Puedo asegurar que esta experiencia hubiera sido muy diferente (peor), si estas personas no hubieran estado allí con nosotros, dentro y/o fuera del ambiente profesional. Me gustaría sacar provecho de estas palabras para agradecer también a Tammy Pastor ATC su trabajo y por acogernos y cuidar de nosotros en SLU.  A pesar de que no era su trabajo ni su obligación en absoluto, nos llevó por la universidad para que pudiéramos experimentar lo que es ser un Athletic Trainer. 

Por último, y no menos importante, dar las gracias a Dr. Tony Breitbach y Álvaro García Romero por hacer realizad esta gran experiencia. 

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 Experiences the Initiation of a New Program at Bishop DuBourg HS.

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bishop DuBourg High School

By: Olivia Robinson (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

This year I have been placed at Bishop DuBourg High School. I have been working with Nathan Jarman MAT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES/PES under our team physician Scott Kaar M.D. Nathan is an adjunct professor with the SLU Athletic Training Program that I have known for the past year. This is his second year with Bishop DuBourg. I admire his knowledge of everything athletic training and have enjoyed my time with him so far. Nathan was the first athletic trainer hired to be a part of a new Sports Medicine program through Saint Louis University Hospital that has partnered with four archdiocesean high schools in the St. Louis area, with DuBourg being one of them. 

A typical day at DuBourg consists of the usual after school rush. The kids come in to hang out before practices, with the occasional injury evaluation. We work mainly with athletes that have chronic conditions to help prevent re-injury, but we have had some more serious injuries to work with as well. Luckily everyone is getting back to being healthy and ready to go! My preceptor and I are also going to be implementing a strength and conditioning program for some of the off-season sports. DuBourg is one of the smaller schools I have worked with, but I really love the close community and how all of the students are truly one of a kind. 

Although I am mainly placed at DuBourg, my preceptor Nathan and I have cared for the other three schools in our system as well, St. Mary’s, Rosati-Kain, and Cardinal Ritter High School. It has been an interesting process to be apart of and has thrown me into a position that will benefit me as a professional once I graduate. I have learned what it takes to create a program from scratch, and how to work on a small budget and still do my job effectively. It has been an awesome start to my PY2 year, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this year holds for us! 

Fear the Cavalier!

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 Program Welcomes New Adjunct Faculty Members

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program is proud to welcome two new adjunct faculty members: Liz Earhart, MS, RDN, LD, HFS and Nathan F. Jarman MAT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES/PES; as instructors in the Spring of 2015.

Liz Earhart

Liz Earhart, is teaching MAT 516: Bioenergetics of Athletic Performance in the professional phase of the SLU AT Program. She is a Registered Dietitian, having earned a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree with an emphasis in Nutrition and Physical Performance from the SLU Doisy College of Health Sciences.  Prior to attending SLU, she received a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences, with a major in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  She currently is a consulting Dietitian with the Sports Medicine and Training Center; and V-Fit Gym and Personal Training in St. Louis.  She was a Graduate Assistant in the SLU Department of Nutrition and Dietetics earned many academic honors as an undergraduate and graduate student.

Nathan Jarman

Nathan Jarman is teaching MAT 616: Enhancing Athletic Performance in the professional phase of the SLU AT Program.  He is a Certified Athletic Trainer, with a Master of Athletic Training degree from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTHSC) in Lubbock, Texas; and now is a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at the TTTHSC. Prior to that, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg majoring in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training.  Nathan is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association; and a Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Such qualified faculty help provide an outstanding experience for Athletic Training Students at Saint Louis University.