SLU AT Students share a clinical site and collaborate to provide hands-on patient care

For the Spring 2023 semester, PY 2 Giovanna Charles, PY1 Grace Golembiewski, and PY1 I-Chen (Hugo) Lee collaborated together in a shared clinical experience at John Burroughs School (JBS) under the supervision of their preceptor, Dean Tiffany, ATC.

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School

By: Giovanna Charles (MAT Class of 2023), Grace Golembiewski and I-Chen Lee (MAT Class of 2024)

Gio:

During my time at John Burroughs School, JBS, I have grown and learned so much from my preceptor, Dean, as well as the PY1s with me, Grace and Hugo. After a short amount of time, I have gained Dean’s and the coach’s trust to the point where Dean allows me to do on field and court evaluations/assessments without him having to run out with me, unless it's urgent. I have been hands-on with all the sports at JBS and have been able to evaluate and/or perform special tests on the foot, ankle, hand, wrist, hamstring, knee, nose and mouth. There have also been times where I was able to perform several manual muscle tests, MMTs, concussion protocols followed by a SCAT5, as well as construct rehab plans for a variety of different injuries. With this being my last semester and looking back at all that I have accomplished, I can say that I am prepared for what’s next. I am very grateful for all the experience my preceptors and classmates have shared with me over the years and can't wait to see what the near future holds for me.

Grace:

My time at John Burroughs School has helped me grow my professional clinical skills exponentially. Right away, my evaluation and injury management skills, athletic taping skills, and injury rehabilitation skills have improved under the direction of my preceptor as well as my collaboration with my fellow student athletic trainers. For instance, collaborating with two other students at JBS with differing levels of professional experience has illustrated to me the importance of utilizing other health professionals in order to maximize the health care provided to a patient. In continuation, my preceptor does an excellent job at letting me take the lead in on and off field patient interactions, while also providing helpful, direct, positive criticism afterwards. This method of learning has greatly improved my confidence in the knowledge that I have retained and practiced so far, and also inspires confidence in what I have yet to learn in the future. Also, my preceptor’s high expectations have really enhanced my own attention to detail as I review content and prepare to head into my final year of classes at SLU.

Hugo:

This is the second high school where I have had clinical experience, and John Burroughs School has been an absolutely different experience for me. There are a lot of facilities and modalities that we are allowed to use, which provides us with more options to treat patients and also more opportunities to sharpen our skills. As this is our last semester of professional year 1, our preceptor, Dean, has allowed us to do more things if we are confident in our abilities. I will always remember the first day when he told us to act as if we were doing our own jobs. He has definitely given us confidence and more opportunities to practice.

In addition, I appreciate the overall practice environment at John Burroughs School. The students and staff all work together well and are always available to answer any questions. Building a trusting relationship like this allows us to discuss not only the injury but also the patients' mental health issues and daily quality of life. Showing concern for our patients always strengthens our bond with them. This is always a perfect working environment for me.

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 Students Thrive in an Exciting Learning Environment at John Burroughs School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School

By: Giovanna Charles (MAT Class of 2023) and Grace Golembiewski, Brandon Pavon and Karsen Kohl (MAT Class of 2024)

John Burroughs School, JBS, has been an exciting experience for all of us. We enjoy

learning from our preceptor, Dean Tiffany, ATC, as well as other Certified Athletic Trainers that

come every once in a while to help when we get busy. With the different levels of knowledge and

years in Athletic Training, we all bring something very different yet special to the table. This

prestigious high school brings a lot of unique experiences while also more common experiences.

Those experiences include a dislocated elbow, an UCL injury, ACL and MCL instability injuries,

concussions as well as the more common ankle sprains, Osgood Schlatter and a couple of bloody

wounds from the turf.

Upon our arrival at JBS, we got right in the midst of things covering football's preseason

practices. We quickly went over helmet and shoulder pad removal as well as stabilizing the C

spine, how to evaluate the ankle and knee in addition to being taught the “correct” way to tape an

ankle by our preceptor. We have also been covering the other fall sports such as Cheerleading,

Cross Country, Field Hockey, Boy’s Soccer, Volleyball, Swim, Golf, and Tennis.

We get the opportunity to evaluate athletes as well as tape those that need it. Not only did we

learn a new way to tape ankles, we were also taught by our preceptor how to tape the achilles,

shin splints, turf toe, arch taping for plantar fasciitis, along with learning how to make an ankle

cast with elastikon. JBS is also fortunate enough to have a handful of modalities we get to use

everyday. Once the after school rush ends, we help in the rehab aspect for the athletes and

provide on-field and/or court assistance to the team’s games.

The experience has been exciting since our arrival, and it's only going to get even better

throughout the rest of the semester from here. Everyday is new and has brought new experiences

to all of us to remember that we will be able to carry along with us for the future. As our time at

JBS continues to grow, we have gotten more comfortable and involved which has allowed more

athletes, their coaches and Dean to understand our role. We enjoy the countless opportunities and

hours spent at JBS and cannot wait to see how much we continue to grow throughout the

process.

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 Enjoy Learning and Mentoring from Older Students in the Program

New PY1 AT Student Blog Post - Mark Romero and Michael Patino (MAT Class of 2024)

Mark Romero

This semester I had the opportunity to observe Katie Wissing and Olivia Mani under their preceptor Dean Tiffany ATC at John Burroughs School. I went to JBS and observed them after school one day where I observed them during two lacrosse games, soccer practice, and a baseball game. I was able to observe the relationships that they have developed with the athletes and staff at the school throughout the year. I was impressed with the trust that the athletes had in Katie and Olivia to provide them care and treatment. Before going out to the fields, I was able to observe Katie use electrical stim while Olivia was working on some strengthening exercises with another athlete. I went back for a track meet early in the morning during the weekend . At the meet I was able to see common injuries that track athletes experience like scrapes, muscle cramps, and shin splints. I also saw the different ways Katie and Olivia approached these injuries and how they worked with athletes and sometimes parents regarding the issues. I was overall very impressed with John Burroughs school and the work Dean, Katie, and Olivia have done.

Michael Patino

As we prepare to enter the professional phase of the Athletic Training program, we have covered various types of modalities and scenarios in class an Athletic Trainer might encounter on the field.  Each day we would go to class and learn new techniques ATs use to treat injuries in theory but never in action.  However, being able to visit clinical sites and observing ATs in action really helped to see the whole picture.  This semester I had the opportunity to gain experience at the college level, visiting other SLU Athletic Training students already in the professional phase as well as their preceptors.  While visiting different clinical sites I was able to see my preceptors use different types of modalities (such as therapy, cupping, heat/ice, electrical stim, taping) firsthand which helped to reinforce what we’re learning in class.  Most of my experiences at clinical sites were spent in the AT room however there were some gamedays and special events where I was able to help with pre and post set up.  While I was not allowed to participate in any of the modalities, I gained a considerable amount of knowledge and experience from observing and asking questions.  The most important thing I took away from my experiences was how vital communication is amongst health professionals and the patient.  I’m grateful to all my preceptors as they were very patient with all the questions I had and can’t wait to start the professional phase soon!

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/Billiken Athletes Gain a Wider Understanding of the Profession

New PY1 AT Student Blog Post - Karsen Kohl and Julia Martinez (MAT Class of 2024)

Karsen Kohl

Entering the Professional Phase of the AT Program requires students to experience

athletic trainers at a clinical site. There were multiple options in choosing where to get directed

observation hours and with being a student athlete at SLU I chose to get a look at how a school,

in particular a high school, manages an athlete’s health in the training room. I started my

observation experience at John Burroughs School, a high school close to SLU’s campus. I

shadowed PY1 student Olivia Mani and PY2 student Katie Wissing who are currently placed

there as their every day clinical site this spring semester. I got the opportunity to observe athletic

trainer Dean Tiffany ATC care for and tend to his athletes.

During my experience at Burroughs, I learned a lot about the impact an athletic trainer

has on the athlete both in rehabilitation and in recovery. As a student athlete at the collegiate

level, I understand the importance of rehab but I did not understand this when I was in high

school. It was eye opening to see how many students visited the training room right when school

ended and before practice. Most of the students that visited the trainer were familiar faces every

day with normal routines pre game/practice and some of the students were new and wanting the

help to best manage their body and health in regards to their sport.

The process of an athletic trainer goes further than rendering treatment to athletes, it is

about providing water to prevent hypohydration. I was able to be hands-on in helping Olivia and

Katie get ice and water in coolers to all fields for the teams as well as help with the clean up process after all teams finished their events. I had the opportunity to watch the events on the

sideline with Dean who is ensuring the safety and health of the athletes in his care. A learning

experience that I will take with me as I enter the professional phase was when Olivia and Katie

assessed an athlete who came in with pain in the knee. The two of them began by asking the

athlete a series of questions in order to come to the conclusion of the occurrence and timing of

the injury. They ran through a series of tests of mobility and strength to try and pinpoint the exact

muscles that were being affected. Through this information based on the athlete's pain, they were

able to come up with a diagnosis that allowed the athlete to receive a set of exercises and pain

management to effectively return the athlete back to play. This experience allowed me to

understand the process of assessing a new injury and the job of an athletic trainer to help with the

athlete’s pain. I had such a great experience at Burroughs and learned a lot that I will take with

me while I enter into the Professional Phase of the AT Program.

Julia Martinez

 really enjoyed doing the direct observation hours. I was able to learn from different people and see athletic trainers do things in different settings with athletes. Some things that I learned from this experience was about PPE (preparticipation physical exam). These exams are important for SLU athletics. Elena Melillo ATC had all returning student athletes get these exams taken. They had to get their weight, height, vitals, and BESS testing measured. It was cool to watch PY1 and PY2 do some of these tests because I learned the BESS testing in class and was able to apply it to this PPE. With regards of the track meet, I witnessed a hamstring tear and other lower leg injuries. It was interesting to be at a track meet because I’ve never been to one and I was able to see how runners respond after they finish running. Lastly, Elena also taught me the concussion protocol and what she needs to do and use for reference for the student athlete and see how their concussion is improving. The different types of testing you do to test out the student athlete’s concussion is a long process but an important one.

I went to John Burroughs high school and observed Olivia Mani and her preceptor Dean Tiffany ATC. It was nice to observe a high school setting since I’m so used to a college scene. I watched Olivia do stem and a Graston massage on an athlete. Dean also did a shin splint taping which was interesting since I’ve never seen one before. We watched the girls’ and boys’ lacrosse games. It was very cold, sleeting, and pouring rain on us while we were sitting in the gator watching the games. Something I learned from that experience is to always make sure to dress warm and prepare ahead of time with extra layers in my car. In conclusion, I enjoyed these direct observation hours because I was able to get a good taste of what I’ll be doing next year. 

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 Appreciate the Benefit of Experience at Multiple Clinical Sites

New PY1 AT Student Blog Post - Justin Epperly and Brandon Pavon (MAT Class of 2024)

Justin Epperly

This spring semester has been the beginning of our transition into the professional years of our Athletic training program. When we started observation hours it was equally exciting and nerve-racking, but after visiting John Burroughs, Washington University, and Fontbonne I realized there was much more to be excited about than nervous. It was very interesting to see the similarities across each clinical site and the minute differences such as scraping, taping techniques, and the use of cupping for examples. Not only were some of the therapeutic modalities different, but so were the spaces and overall environments. It was very interesting to see the part of being an AT that is not focused on as much. When I was not watching patient care, we spent our time talking with the athletic directors, coaches, and other athletes. This whole experience has really shed some light on the importance of the bond between the AT and those we work around. We truly are the connection from athlete to the school and sometimes the coaches.

During my observation hours I was fortunate to shadow Eldwin Neritani and Muharem Komic at Wash U; Lauren Swords and her preceptor Sammie Hochmuth ATC at Fontbonne; and Olivia Mani, Katie Wissing and their preceptor Dean Tiffany ATC at John Burroughs. I was also fortunate enough to have some of my fellow AT classmates shadow with me, shout out to Sha Jones, Brandon Pavon, and Marissa Uecker. However, one of my most memorable learning experiences came to me when I was shadowing at John Burroughs alone and one student dislocated his shoulder. I had never seen a dislocation or reduction of any kind so this was an amazing opportunity to witness something that one would not normally get to see. Luckily the student’s shoulder was reduced, and he was alright. Another memorable experience was also at John Burroughs with my fellow AT classmate, Brandon. Being our last day, we were able to try cupping…. Not on anyone else of course, but Olivia offered to cup our backs. This was a great learning experience because cupping, while it is not accepted everywhere, is a growing modality that many athletes enjoy. I think it was very beneficial to understand how cupping works and feels for my future as an AT, and for that matter, I think my time as a whole, at all the clinical sites I visited, were critical in my development as a future AT and have sparked excitement for my future!

Brandon Pavon

Starting this clinical observation process I was pretty nervous because this was the closest, I’ve been to seeing what it would be like to actually be an athletic trainer. Throughout my time at multiple different clinical sites, I was able to get a feel of how the different environments operate and how they vary from place to place. I mainly got to see the difference John Burroughs High School and DeSmet Jesuit high school. While the training rooms themselves vary drastically, the day to day very a lot too. At DeSmet, which is a all boys school, we mainly talked to the coaches before practices as well as watched the varsity volleyball team practice. At John Burroughs we saw a lot more students as they are required to take a sport along with it being a coed school. With the fall sports games starting around the time I went to John Burroughs I was also able to watch more games compared to my visit to DeSmet where the games had not started yet.

Justin and I have been to John Burroughs High School a couple of times now with Olivia, Katie, and Dean as the preceptor. Each time we went Dean has been super welcoming and helpful. There was one time Dean was taping an ankle and his technique was different than the one we learned from class so he was explaining to us why he does it the way he does. There was also some other times where Dean would be taping an arch or shin splint and he was explaining what happened to the person and why they needed this kind of taping job. It is experiences like these that lead to a further passion in this profession

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 Appreciate Preceptor's Commitment to Preparation and Learning at John Burroughs School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School

By: Katie Wissing (MAT Class of 2022) and Olivia Mani (MAT Class of 2023) 

John Burroughs School (JBS) has been an incredibly insightful, fast paced, and hands-on experience under the guidance of our preceptor, Dean Tiffany, ATC. No stranger to the word “busy,” Dean is the head athletic trainer, assistant athletic director, and wrestling coach at John Burroughs. This may seem like a full plate to have, but we have quickly learned that the staff at JBS have this strong work ethic and take on this challenge head on, fully committing to their role. 

The pride and joy of the fall season, football has been an excellent opportunity for us to heighten our emergency care skills, such as c-spine stabilization and equipment removal, in a highly competitive environment. With the hot St. Louis summers lingering through September, heat illness simulations are another necessary practice. We always make sure to have a rectal thermometer and the ice bath on hand! 

One of Dean’s strong suits as a preceptor, all of this preparation has made us confident in our ability to provide optimal care to our athletes. There are numerous new special tests, taping techniques, rehab exercises, therapeutic modalities, etc. that we have learned in just our first month at this site. Under Dean’s supervision and with his trust, we have had numerous opportunities to take the lead and demonstrate our newly learned skills. We know that in the weeks to come there is so much to be absorbed and expand our scope of practice. We look forward to an electric semester ahead. 

GO BOMBERS!!!

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.

Students in the SLU MAT Class of 2023 Look Forward to the Professional Phase of the Program

The Professional Phase of the Saint Louis University Athletic Training has two points of entry: (1) as a graduate student after receiving a bachelor's degree; and (2) as a progressing student in SLU's freshman-entry 3+2 Master of Athletic Training program.

SLU Pre-professional AT students take MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II in spring of their junior year where they prepare to enter the professional phase of the program.  This course includes directed observation in athletic training clinical settings and professional engagement. Each of these student writes a blog post about these experiences as they look forward to progressing into the professional phase of the program:

Maggie Cannatella

While observing PY1 and PY2 students, I got to see first-hand what the next two years of my education as a future Athletic Trainer and clinical experiences would look like.  I spent some of my direct observation at John Burroughs High School.  The training room and athletic facilities were extremely impressive and went far beyond my expectations of the resources a High School would have.  In the two days I was there, I got to see PY1 and PY2, Amra and Kate, work with the athletes in the training room after school before practice and went to a soccer and baseball game.  Amra and Kate really seemed to have learned a lot from their preceptor, Dean Tiffany ATC, and from each other.  On their last day, the students at John Burroughs were sad to see them go and they definitely seemed to have developed a relationship with the athletes there.  My biggest take away was seeing this hands-on guided learning environment that Amra and Kate had experienced here.  It got me excited for what was in store for me in the coming years as a PY1 and PY2 student and all that I would learn in clinicals.   

 

Brooke Flowers

During the semester, I was able to learn from PY2 student Gabby Herod and her preceptor Petra Knight ATC. My experience shadowing Gabby was different from most because in some situations, I was apart of the population. As someone who got to spend a lot of time with both Gabby and Petra, we were able to develop a productive relationship that allowed me to learn from them in the most productive way possible. While watching them in action, I was able to learn so much about the different techniques, practices, and procedures that are commonly used in the collegiate setting.

While there were so many tangible skills and practices that I learned while observing Gabby and Petra throughout the semester, there were also intangible lessons and advice that Gabby and Petra gave me that I will always remember. I was honored to learn from two women who have become role models and mentors for the aspirations that I hope to achieve as I continue to learn and grow in the professional phase of the program. 

Stacie Galo

I did my direct observation at John Burroughs High School and Christian Brothers College Prep. I had no expectations going into either clinical site or was just excited to get a glimpse of what it would be like for the next two years in this program. I was shocked to see how much the PY1s and the PY2s could do, and how well they were able to do it. They all were confident in their abilities to assess and aid in recovery for the patients that came to see them. At John Burroughs, there was a patient who came in with knee pain for the first time. Amra was the one who saw the patient first and performed her checklist to determine the cause of pain. After doing some physical examination and performing various tests to manipulate the knee and leg to see which one’s cause the patient pain in their injured area. The diagnosis that Amra was able to come up with was an acute hamstring strain because they had pain where the hamstring attaches to the proximal part of the fibula. It was very educational to see a full assessment and treatment of a patient by a peer.

At both sites, I got to observe some therapeutic modalities being used to treat the patient’s pain. It was interesting to see it used in a real life setting after having just learned about them in MAT 3000. There were a few patients who sat with stim for 20 minutes or had to have a hot pack on the injured area before starting their assigned exercises.  One thing that was similar at both sites, was the AT and the PYs were required to observe and assist if needed at various sporting events going on at their school. The sports I observed were baseball, tennis, and water polo. Being able to watch various sports and to see the different roles the AT plays at each game was really eye opening. Even after a couple visits for directed observation, I feel more confident in the fact that I will be able to accomplish all the PY’s have so far when I get a chance to learn at the clinical sites, just like they did. 

Emily Haley 

I really enjoyed being able to complete direct observation this semester at John Burroughs High School alongside a PY1 and PY2. Although there were not many games going on that day, only a JV women’s soccer game, I enjoyed observing and experiencing the atmosphere of the training room. Some of the student athletes were coming in for treatment that they do all the time, and some were coming in with new injuries. It was interesting to see the relationships and trust developed between the PY’s and the athletes they see all the time, and to see how they interact with and assess athlete’s they do not know. While observing how Kate and Amra would assess an athlete coming in with a new injury, I was amazed by how they would palpate, ask the athlete a bunch of questions, and then determine what the next steps would be so quickly. I’m looking forward to being able to examine and determine a course of action in my future clinical experiences as well as connecting with and creating bonds with athletes I’ll be taking care of. I enjoyed my direct observation experience this semester and am looking forward to building up my athletic training knowledge and skills over the next two years during the professional phase. 

Muharem Komic 

This semester for me finishing up MAT 3000 was interesting and a big eye opener. I personally could not go observe any PY1s at clinical sites due to my school schedule and work schedule. What I was able to do was get some direct observation hours at the SLU track meet on March twenty sixth. I got to talk to some of the PY1s and the PY2s there and they were really cool about answering any questions the other students and I had. From sharing their experience with gross anatomy to their first clinical site. As well as where they are now and what they plan on doing in the future. It was really interesting seeing how basically everyone has a completely different experience which is awesome and as well just kind of getting an idea of what the next years might look like for me. During the directed observation, I got the chance to see how Athletic Trainers work with other professions and how a multiple event sport was being handled. For example there were ATs at the track field, where all the running events were taking place and the javelin throw. Then across the street there were the hammer throws were taking place and over there were ATs along with EMTs and an ambulance. Where I witnessed ATs working with other professions, was when a SLU athlete was injured and he was brought to the AT tent on a gator by some EMTs. The ATs examined him and saw that he possibly tore his achilles tendon and needed to go to the hospital instantly. The ambulance was too far and it was too complicated for them to get him, so the EMTs on the gator took him since it was right across the street and then came back later and said that he was dropped off and was being looked at. It was interesting to witness how the communication among other professions is important to work together to help someone receive care in the best way possible. Seeing how everyone was working well together and working with speed and precision was impressive and in a way it was exciting to witness this. Overall it was an amazing experience and If this was just direct observation I can’t imagine how I will feel, when I am at a clinical site and doing more than observing. 

Meghan Liss

While I did not participate in any clinical engagement opportunities, I was able to partake in some very fun activities during our classes throughout the semester. I enjoyed going through the multitude of therapeutic modalities. I found them to be quite interesting, especially because there were so many. I think that it is quite amazing how so many different modalities can either aid or impair an athlete or individual just by how we use them. Some of my favorite modalities that we went over heating and icing or testing function through band exercises or balance mechanisms. Because these were partner exercises, I was able to get to know my peers better than I had in the past. Our MAT classes were mostly sitting at the desks and observing the lesson. This time around we were able to do mostly hands on work which was a great experience. My favorite part of this class was actually going over all of the aspects of emergency care. My dad used to be a paramedic and because of that, I have always found emergency care enticing, and so going over concussion testing, CPR, spine-boarding, etc., was a ton of fun for me. This will be the information that I hope to carry over with me into my future profession.

Olivia Mani

I can only imagine the feeling of anticipation that a high school athletic trainer has as they hear the ring of the dismissal bell in the afternoon. If their training room has the same amount of traffic as the one at John Burroughs High School, then I can imagine the built-up stress. Dean Tiffany ATC works as their head, and only, athletic trainer for a school of about 600 students, who participate in a sport each semester. This makes for frequent visits from kinds across all different sports with varying types of injuries. During my time there, Dean informed me that this means he has to be personable with his students and get to know them so that he can recognize and understand their injuries in relation to their sport. This is most helpful in injury diagnosis and working towards a recovery plan to get the athletes back to peak health. 

My afternoon there consisted of the afternoon rush, where students from various sports came in after school to do their treatment with Dean, Amra, and Kate. I could see that this hour after school is a huge balancing act that requires prioritizing and decision-making skills because there are taping, exercises, modalities, evaluations, and stretching that need to be done and administered. After this circus of an hour, we went out to the varsity soccer game and varsity baseball game. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries that occurred, just some minor scrapes and bruises.

I learned from Dean that high school athletic training is all about choosing your battles. There are often times where he has multiple games going on, and he has to choose which one he feels has the greater risk of injury occurrence. That is why we sat at the soccer game for the full duration and then went to watch the rest of the baseball game afterwards. Both were varsity level, which takes top priority, but soccer is higher in contact, so we went there. Another battle that is important to keep in mind when working with high school students is that sometimes their emotions can run rampant. Especially in stressful situations, such as when injured, panic can take over. Often times the demeanor of the athlete can overshadow the injury itself, so it is important to manage the student’s emotions, while working with them to find a diagnosis. 

Chiara Morresi

It has been without a doubt anything but a normal semester. I have worked at Chaifetz Arena as a student worker in the ATR since Fall 2018, and these last two semesters are like nothing I have seen before. Instead of the constant conversations between student athletes and the athletic trainers who are providing treatment before a practice or game, it now seems like an athlete will pop in every so often, and then the ATR will go back to being silent. 

Though things are not what they used to be in the Chaifetz ATR, all five of the AT’s have done a tremendous job of keep everyone safe. From the mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing, to capacity limits, very efficient cleaning protocols and the constant wearing of masks, the ATR has never felt like a safer or cleaner space. After observing the work this ATR does to keep their trainers, athletes, student workers and everyone in between safe, I feel very comfortable going into my own clinical experience next fall. 

Eldwin Neritani

This semester I had the opportunity to observe SLU Athletics. I had the chance to observe a track meet here at SLU. Here I was able to get a lot of “gameday” experience, and saw what an athletic trainer does during and how they interact at a meet like this, and the types of things they are responsible for. During this I was able to witness an injury firsthand, and watched how the ATs would manage and handle it. The injury at hand was an Achilles injury, and I watched as they would perform certain tests to see how bad the injury was. It was very interesting to see the trainers go about their tests and work while not overwhelming the athlete at any point. It was a really interesting to see the pre- and post-setup as well that goes into preparing for a track meet.

Mason Remeis

Throughout my experience at my clinical site, Rockwood Summit High School, I learned about the importance of communication, teamwork, and preparation.  At Rockwood Summit the head athletic trainer Tony Mosello MAT, ATC had a walkie talkie that he used in order to communicate with people on different fields.  Because he is the only athletic trainer at the school and there are often many games occurring at the same time, it was necessary that there was a plan for communication so that he could get to where he was needed.  This communication required teamwork as well because the person on the other end of the walkie talkie needed to know how to go about handling the situation with contacting him, while also giving a brief explanation about what the injury or issue may be.

From observing him in the training room, I saw how he had created an atmosphere where all the athletes felt comfortable and safe.  Also, I saw how organized everything was which is important when you need to find something specific in order to treat an athlete in a timely manner.  I realized that when you are an athletic trainer, you become part of the athletic family wherever you may be working, and you have to make sure that you gain the trust and respect from the athletes and coaches.  I was able to see this at Rockwood Summit.  From my experience here, I learned a lot more about the whole role of an athletic trainer, which I did not fully recognize or understand back when I was an athlete.

Alex Smith

I spent the majority of my observation experience at Bishop Dubourg High School. I was fortunate enough to observe the athletic training experience alongside fellow PY1 student Mason Cotterel (MAT Class of 2021), who is one of my good friends that I made at my time at Saint Louis U. He provided me with insight about my future and what I should expect in the future with the program. While under observation, I was able to watch high school football, volleyball, and women’s soccer games, as well as practices and behind the scenes care. One thing that amazed me upon arriving at Bishop Dubourg was the size of the athletic training room. I was fortunate enough to see different sizes of athletic training rooms prior to my observation experience. 

What I learned from Bishop Dubourg AT room is that sometimes, the essentials are what you need. I watched Mason and the preceptor Nathan Jarman, MAT, CES, ATC, provide interventions with their bare hands. The small atmosphere of the athletic training room allowed AT’s to adapt to the situation and use any method necessary to provide care. What was interesting about the experience was being able to see the bond that Mason had when it came to the athletes. Upon arriving at the high school for the first time, I got to see that bond firsthand, where a fellow athlete was asking Mason about pain in their ankle. We have not made it to the training room yet, and Mason took the time to care for his athletes. This type of engagement that I want to have with athletes is something that I am excited for in the future. One thing that I learned from my experience was muscle and strength management. During the pandemic, there was a big question mark about when will sports be back, especially surrounding high school sports. When I arrived at Bishop Dubourg, a lot of athletes came for treatment and a common theme was not taking care of themselves in the long offseason. I watched Mason and Nate provide treatment and explain to these athletes to take care of their body before the season started. My observation experience provided me with a unique insight into my future with the program and I am looking forward to my future. 

Lauren Swords

This last semester I had the chance to observe both a college and a high school setting. I was especially grateful for these opportunities as I was unsure with COVID if I would get any at all. For my college observation hours I was at a SLU track and field meet. Here I got to see PY2s Maddie and Mellanie work with all kinds of athletes, as track and field tends to be a mix of every type of physical fitness. During my short time there I saw the PY2s respond to an injury and it was super interesting to watch them take over and command the situation. My more extensive observation hours were at Rockwood Summit High School with Maddie Cavanaugh and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Coming into SLU I didn’t expect to want to work in a high school setting but after my observation hours I’ve decided I want to keep my options open. I really enjoyed the crazy energy of Summit and the relationship the certified AT had with his students. My biggest take away from my observation hours is that while I am still a little scared to start clinicals, I am mostly excited and can’t wait to get started. 

SLU AT Students Practice and Grow Clinical Skills in Positive Environment at John Burroughs School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School 

By: Kate Perko (SLU MAT Class of 2021) and Amra Kardasevic (MAT Class of 2022)

Activities are ramping up at John Burroughs as St. Louis County lifts COVID-19 mandates. John Burroughs School is a small, private, co-ed school serving 7th through 12th grade students. Burroughs has taken great precautions to bring students back to in person classes and sports activities safely. As games have begun, it is obvious that these precautions have been effective as we move into our 3rd week of contests.

Our preceptor Dean Tiffany, ATC is John Burroughs' athletic trainer, assistant athletic director, and wrestling coach. It has been eye opening to see how he balances his commitments and responsibilities effectively. With that, he has given us every opportunity, under his supervision, to step in and evaluate injuries, assign rehab, and determine return to play. During the first weeks of the semester, before contests were allowed, we used our time to practice taping techniques, modalities, lower extremity evaluations, and manual therapy techniques.

The community that John Burroughs has established among its students and athletes shines through after spending just one day with the people there. All of the staff and students are incredibly welcoming not only to us, but to each other as well. The amount of support and encouragement there is in the athletic training room among athletes creates a very positive environment that is essential for successful healing.

Even with a slow start to the semester, we have gotten to see quite a few interesting injuries, including a patellar dislocation and an ACL tear. As sports contests are starting to get back to “normal” we are excited to see how the rest of the semester will play out. We look forward to getting more opportunities to use our skills and being able to help the students play and feel their best!

GO BOMBERS!

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 from Multiple Levels Learn in an Interprofessional Context at John Burroughs School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School

By: Hannah Daily (SLU MAT Class of 2020) and Maddie Bozych (SLU MAT Class of 2021)

John Burroughs is such a fantastic place to be for an athletic training student. As a school, they are a 7th-12th grade institution that has a holistic approach to education with pride in their high rigor academics and extracurricular activities. The athletic mission at JBS is “to champion character through athletics so that we cultivate holistic growth in self and community” which shines through in their policy that the student must be in a sport every season, or be in a weight lifting program. 

The facilities at JBS cannot be beat for a secondary school. The athletic training room is connected to the nurses office, which cultivates a great opportunity for interprofessional work between the two, which is vital at the high school level. They have many modalities like heat, whirlpool, electrical stim and ultrasound. They also have many great tools for rehab as well. 

Dean Tiffany ATC is the head athletic trainer at John Burroughs. Dean has taught us great taping techniques, the importance of good evaluation and special test skills, and we even got to play around with cupping. Along with being the head AT, he is the wrestling coach and assistant athletic director. Dean has shown through all his responsibilities, what directions you can take in this profession and it is really exciting to see all the opportunities you could have if you work hard enough! 

The winter was quite busy at JBS with basketball, wrestling and swimming in full swing. Brian Bounds has filled in as AT throughout the winter while Dean has been coaching. He is an athletic trainer through Mercy and has experience with professional soccer. Brian has shown us a lot that he has learned throughout his career, especially manual techniques. There is a great relationship between PY1 and PY2 here. We have to work together on a lot of the athletes and put both of our knowledge together to find the best for the patient. JBS is a great place for the PY2 to step up and show their role as a mentor to the PY1. 

Dean has cultivated great relationships with everyone at the school, and there is a lot of respect for him and the athletic training students. Everyone I have encountered at JBS has been amazing. The Athletic director, Peter Tasker, is so welcoming and great towards us. The coaches are all amazing in giving us their full cooperation and trust while treating the athletes. The students are fantastic and are used to having SLU students, so they are quick to open up, very respectful, and will do any treatment or rehab we ask of them. Go Bombers! 

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 Recognizes Preceptor's Impact on Clinical Experience at John Burroughs School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School
By: Caitlyn Thomas (MAT Class of 2020) 

This semester, I have been placed at John Burroughs School as my clinical site. Dean Tiffany ATC is my preceptor and Matt Eifert is the PY2 at JBS. It has been a transition for me from the college setting to the high school setting, but I am enjoying the high school setting much more than I thought I would. We are very fortunate to have an incredible athletic training room and access to a handful of modalities, as well as respectful and friendly students and staff.

At John Burroughs, Dean is very willing to let me and Matt take the lead on doing assessments and only steps in when he sees we need help. This is allowing me to get out of my comfort zone and realize that I know more than I think I do. I get loads of hands-on experience at JBS and it has helped my confidence improve ten-fold. Dean is extremely knowledgeable and has many tips and tricks up his sleeve that he has shown me and Matt. I think he is an incredible preceptor and I am learning so much from him! Matt has also been a great resource for me because I can turn to him for any questions I have. He practices with me when I don’t understand something and he is always enthusiastic when he is in the Athletic Training room. He makes me excited to walk into the Athletic Training room every day!

So far, John Burroughs couldn’t be any better. I really feel like my knowledge of Athletic Training has sky rocketed since I arrived at JBS, and I am excited to continually learn more. Dean is a phenomenal preceptor and I have enjoyed every minute learning from him.

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 Pre-professional AT Student from Japan Learns About the Importance of Professional Communication in Health Care

New AT Student Blog Post - Haruka Ikeda (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

My first experience of Directed Observation (DO) hours was at John Burroughs High School with Dean Tiffany ATC, Caitlin Gibson (PY2), Danielle Jabczynski (PY1). It was also my first experience to look around a high school in the United States, and actually I am so lucky to have John Burroughs School as my first one. They have clean, orderly AT room and every student athlete respects Dean and also PY students.

The most impressed DO experience for me is a Spring Soccer Tournament at Lou Fusz Rams Park and Fenton Soccer Park. That was the largest soccer tournament for young athletes at St. Louis and there were more than 5 soccer fields inside and outside. At Fenton Soccer Park, SLU Alum Kelly DeGreeff MAT, ATC was with me telling me the importance to have communication with not just athletes or patients, but also coaches and referee, who relates to a game. Young athletes are more sensitive and emotionally unstable than grown athletes, so that’s why ATs need to be more careful and keep an eye out for them. The communication makes us easier to understand athletes condition or a background that should be considered when ATs treat patients.

To be honest, I was quite nervous to do DO hours because of the language barrier, but at the same time I was excited that I got an opportunity to feel the reality of ATs in sports field in my bones. Since I was a student athletic trainer when I was in japan, which was 2 years ago, one of the reasons why I came to the US is to feel the difference between the countries. All of my DO experiences including John Burroughs HS, SEC Gymnastics Championships, Washington University, Track meet at SLU, and the Spring Soccer Tournament were absolutely great opportunities for me to feel and understand the difference.

Thank you all the preceptors and older students, and I also want to thank all of my friendly classmates.

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 Pre-professional AT Student Finds Clarity Observing Current Students Learning at Clinical Site

New AT Student Blog Post - Carmen Roberson (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

This semester I spent most of my directed observation hours at John Burroughs High School. On my very first day I was a little skeptical because I simply didn’t know what to expect. All of my skepticism melted away by the time I entered the athletic training room. I was welcomed by Danielle Jabczynski and Caitlin Gibson and introduced to preceptor, Dean Tiffany ATC. I automatically felt a positive presence and that it would be a great learning atmosphere. John Burroughs has an awesome Athletic Training room too, so I was able to see new tools and equipment used that I had never seen before.

As the weeks went on at John Burroughs, I became more acclimated to the flow of what it means to be an athletic trainer and the many services and skillsets that one acquires. I saw all of the taping demonstrations, learned how an electrical stimulation machine works, and learned certain modalities used to help decrease pain. One of my favorite things to witness was how Dean, Caitlin, and Danielle analyzed injuries, tested range of motion, and created fitness tests. This was a really cool part of athletic training that I am excited to learn more about in the future. 

Overall, I am looking forward to becoming more acclimated within my profession, and I am very thankful for the time I was able to spend at John Burroughs. 

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 Pre-professional AT Student Appreciates Learning from Current Students During Transition to Next Phase of Program

New AT Student Blog Post - Becca McGrail (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

As my third year in the pre-professional phase of SLU’s Athletic Training program comes to an end, I am left with a sense of pride for everything accomplished up until this point, along with feelings of anxiousness for what is to come during the ever-encroaching professional phase starting this summer with Gross Anatomy.

During my junior year, I was given the opportunity to attend the MOATA Conference as well as engage in directed observation hours at multiple locations. Both of these opportunities gave me better incite at what I will one day be doing in my future career as an Athletic Training and the various types of settings there are to work in. One of the most unique experiences I participated in this semester was being able to attend the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships. I had the opportunity to observe our program’s PY students and certified Athletic Trainers from across the country.

Another location I fortunate to be able to have directed observation hours at was John Burroughs School. While there, I got to experience the high influx of athletes coming and going for rehab, injury evaluations, taping, and precautionary care. The head Athletic Trainer, Dean, was very welcoming and insightful with any questions I had about the profession. The PY students at JBS, Danielle (PY1) and Caitlin (PY2), were also very helpful with any inquiries I had about the program. They both told me about their prior experiences up until this point and what their plans are for the future. 

With all of the opportunities and experiences I have been granted by being a student in SLU’s Athletic Training program, I feel that I am going into the professional phase well prepared and excited for whatever my future holds. 

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 Pre-professional AT Student Appreciates Directed Observation Experiences in Preparation for the Next Stage of the Program

New AT Student Blog Post - Mitchell Buerck (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

Going into Junior year, I was a bit nervous with Directed Observation (DO) hours and the last year before becoming a Professional Year (PY) student. It all changed going to my first DO experience with PY2 student Caitlyn Gibson, PY1 student Danielle Jabczynski, and Dean Tiffany ATC, the athletic trainer at John Burroughs. The AT room there was so different than anything I’d ever seen. Going there was definitely an eye opener and I’m very thankful for the experience.

What really got me excited for going into professional phase was the NCAA Gymnastics championship. I’ve never had experience with gymnastics before and I didn’t know much about it and thought that I wouldn’t enjoy it all too much, but doing DO hours there really changed my mind. It was very fast paced with everything going on and a different atmosphere that I’d never seen before. It was nice having PY1 student Jazmon Carroll to explain how everything worked and AT faculty member Dr. Timothy Howell make me feel welcomed and talk about the next two years of the program. It was a great experience that I’ll never forget and would love to do more events like that again.

I think doing DO hours really helped me with what I will be doing the next two years and what I need to learn to become the AT I want to be. Talking with the older students about gross anatomy really made me feel better knowing that if they can do it, so can I. The DO hours gave me a head start for my PY years and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

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 Pre-professional AT Student Gets Eye-Opening Look into Her Future as an Athletic Trainer

New AT Student Blog Post - Caitlyn Thomas (SLU MAT Class of 2020)  

I am wrapping up my third year in the SLU Athletic Training program, and this year has been eye-opening in terms of my future as an Athletic Trainer.

I was able to participate in Direct Observation hours, which was super helpful in gaining a little bit of a better understanding of what I am about to get myself into next year with Clinical Practicum, and potentially what my future career could look like. I was fortunate enough to get hours at Fontbonne University, John Burroughs School, a SLU club hockey event, the NCAA and SEC Gymnastics Championships, and the NCAA Bowling Championships.

My favorite places that I went and got direct observation hours at were John Burroughs Scool, and the Gymnastics Championships. At JBS, Caitlin Gibson (PY2) and Danielle Jabczynski (PY1) offered me so much advice on how to approach my upcoming classes, they walked me through why they did what they did when treating an athlete, and they told me about their different experiences at other clinical sites. During the Gymnastics Championships, I was able to hangout in the Athletic Training tent and observe our SLU PY students, as well as different team’s Athletic Trainers, provide care to the gymnasts. I loved the atmosphere of the gymnastics events, and would potentially be interested in working with gymnasts in my future.

I am anxious/excited/nervous about the upcoming semesters in the SLU AT program. So far, I feel like my classes have prepared me to succeed, but it’s going to be a whole new experience to be starting clinical in the fall and finally getting some hands-on experience. First off, however, I have to take the so-called “hardest class” of our program: Gross Anatomy. I’m nervous and excited at the same time for that class. I know I won’t have much of a Summer, but at least I’ll be putting in work along with my fellow classmates.

Here’s to the 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.