SLU AT Students Experience Team Approach to Athletic Health Care at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University Athletics
By: Paul Lamb and Jesse Schmitt (SLU MAT Class of 2019); Maria Lingardo, Courtney Nall and Allison Stefan (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

The 2018 Fall semester has been quite busy for the two 2nd year (PY2) students (Jesse Schmitt and Paul Lamb), and three 1st year (PY1) students (Allison Stefan, Maria Lingardo, and Courtney Nall) at Washington University. While primarily caring for the football team, we have all contributed to treating all athletes at WashU. Our everyday schedule is a mixture of treating athletes using therapeutic modalities, such as laser, game-ready, and underwater treadmill program; as well as an ample amount of taping and preparation before going out to practice. In addition, we help athletes go through their rehab programs.

From day one to now, we have learned how to work together as a team with our preceptors Rick Larsen MS, ATC and Grant Rohrig MAT, ATC. The PY1 students feel comfortable asking questions to the PY2s and the PY2s are always willing to help out the PY1s. We have established mutual trust within our team, and our preceptors have given us more responsibility as weeks go by. One of our favorite parts of the week is when we sit down as a group and discuss injury reports as well as things to improve on from the week before. Team meetings help to ensure everyone is on the same page and that there is not any miscommunication.

At WashU we all get the opportunity to take turns traveling with the football team. Travel trips have provided all of us a great insight to what traveling with a team entails. We have all enjoyed our clinical experience this far at Washington University because we have the opportunities to do things like travel. We all are looking forward to the rest of the semester here and seeing how we keep developing our own skill sets, as well as, how we keep growing as a team.

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 Advisory Board Plays an Important Role in Strategic Planning

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program has a Program Advisory Board of 12 external community stakeholders that has a valuable role in program improvement.  Currently the SLU Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, the Athletic Training Program and the Program in Physical Therapy are engaging in department and program level strategic planning facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Giancola.

On the evening of April 4, 2018, the AT Program Advisory Board participated in this process and provided valuable feedback through a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) Analysis activity.

2017-2018 SLU AT Program Advisory Board

Matt Bayes, M.D. - Bluetail Medical Group (community & clinical partner)

Jonathan Burch, ATC - Saint Louis University - Department of Athletics (clinical partner)

Julie Davitz, MHS, PT, ATC  - SSM (alum & community partner)

Scott Kaar, M.D. - Saint Louis University - SSM/SLUCare Sports Medicine (community partner)

Rick Larsen, MS, ATC - Washington University (community & clinical partner)

Aaron McBride, MPT, ATC - Apex Network Physical Therapy (community partner)

Jason Muchow, MHA, ATC - Mercy Sports Medicine (community & clinical partner)

Paul Nativi, DMD - Nikodem Dental & Saint Louis University, Team Dentist  (community partner)

Laura O’Connor, MPT, OCS - Athletico (alum & community partner)

Mike Overturf, ATC, PES - Athletico (community & clinical partner)

Fred Shinn, MS, PT - ATI Physical Therapy (community & clinical partner)

Becky Stigen MS, ATC - Affton High School (community & clinical partner)

L. Tyler Wadsworth, M.D. - SLU Athletic Training Program Medical Director

SLU AT Students Enjoy Learning in the Collaborative Environment at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University in St. Louis Athletics

By: Jenna Ginsberg and Mike Milek (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Danielle Jabcyznski and Jesse Schmitt (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Washington University has been a very impactful experience so far. Being able to work with such an experienced preceptor, Rick Larsen ATC, along with three other ATC’s, including recent SLU graduate Bailey Draheim MAT, ATC, has been great for our collaborative problem solving skills. The PY1’s developing skillset is challenged and growing everyday, and the PY2’s are held to very high standards of accountability in the day-to-day work of caring for the football team. 

Being with the football team provides constant opportunity for improvement in our ability to provide acute and emergency care, rehabilitation, and administrative/organizational skills. The university setting also allows us to practice with an abundance of great resources such as laser therapy and hydrotherapy in the form of an underwater treadmill. 

The sports medicine team at Washington University is vast, which allows us as students to witness great teamwork and interprofessional care between physicians, chiropractors, and other heath care professionals in addition to the athletic training staff. Rick Larsen and the rest of the athletic training team have created a very efficient system in which the coaches and athletes have great respect for what the AT’s do. Working in this environment as students has been and will continue to be great for our professional development.  

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 Through Collaboration at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University Athletics
By: Max Alander, Bailey Draheim and Brianna LaBarbera (SLU MAT Class of 2017); and Emily Mott, Patrick O'Neill and Wyatt Whitegoat (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

Thus far, Washington University (WashU) in Saint Louis has been an experiential and knowledgeable clinical site for both Saint Louis University’s Professional Year (PY) I and II students. At WashU, Athletic Training students are able to apply knowledge gained from a lecture based environment to a hands-on role, including wound care treatment, modality treatment, and injury assessment. In addition, PY I and II students are able to develop and guide a rehabilitation program that allows an athlete’s return to play getting the athlete back to play quickly but not before they are fully healed.

An athlete’s return to play is achieved with the collaboration of athletic training students and the interaction of certified athletic trainers. The certified staff at WashU includes Head Athletic Trainer, Rick Larsen ATC, and three assistant Athletic Trainers, Jim Anderson ATC, Jacob Blasingame ATC, and Mary Tarzon ATC. Working under and in collaboration with all four Athletic Trainers has definitely been one of the unique and beneficial aspects of being placed at Washington University for our clinical experience. For instance, certified athletic trainers allow PY II’s to refine and incorporate skills learned from previous clinical sites while learning new approaches for treatment. In addition, certified athletic trainers, with the assistance of PY II’s, allow PY I students to mold, obtain, and apply new methods of diagnosing, evaluating, and taping; so that, students are able to incorporate to future clinical sites and practice.

Furthermore, beyond the collaboration of students and certified athletic trainers, the sport (either Football or Soccer) that the Athletic Training students are assigned provides a variety of exposure to injuries, either acute or chronic. Thus, enhancing students immediate application of hands on experience to injuries gained from class and prior clinical sites. In addition, WashU’s brand new and innovative athletic training room obtained with a variety of equipment (LASER, AlterG, Underwater treadmill, and a rehabilitation area) allows students to apply and gain a variety of skills for future practice.

Overall, WashU is an incredible clinical site that aids in our growth and development as athletic training students by always teaching us new, yet diverse, ways to practice our skills.

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 Benefit from Great Environment for Learning at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University

By: Andrea Strebler, Jack Dunlap and Demeisha Crawford (MAT Class of 2016)

During the fall semester at Washington University we were assigned primarily with football and secondly men’s and women’s soccer. The combination of PY1’s and PY2’s was a great environment for learning and bouncing ideas off each other. The sheer amount of injuries was a perfect atmosphere for mentoring, learning new techniques and collaboration from the various health care providers. Our transition to winter season, mainly basketball was much needed.

Spring semester at Washington University kicked off full swing January 9th, 2016. Both basketball teams were in the beginning of regular season play and eager to succeed. With prestigious coaches on both the men and women’s sides the bears were excited and raring to go. The three of us were feeling the same way, well rested from our winter breaks and excited for this spring semester. As PY2’s at Washington University as our last semester of clinical practicum we were given much more responsibilities. Initial evaluations, reassessments, rehabilitations, documentation and overall care was to be PY2 responsibility thus forward. We were excited to take on these new responsibilities full go.

Low Level Laser Therapy - LLLT (therapeutic modality) was a new addition to the Washington University athletic training room. At first it was the new craze, after time we came to find obvious positive results that no other therapeutic modality had given before. Our primary uses have been for chronic injury (i.e. patellar tendinopathy), abrasions (i.e. turf burns), and chronic muscle strains (hamstring strains). One of the most telling examples was an athlete who had suffered a substantial turf abrasion with exudate and significant pain. We treated this athlete with low wattage and the large laser head over the area for two treatment cycles. After the treatments the athlete reported less pain and exudate and visibly we saw scar formation. Rick Larson says, “It is an effective modality for connective tissues, primarily for circulatory benefits”.

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.

Veteran Preceptors Create a Great Learning Experience for SLU AT Students at Washington University

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University Athletics

By: Demeisha Crawford, Andrea Strebler and Jack Dunlap (SLU MAT Class of 2016) and Ali Graham and Max Alander (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

“Da Bears” of Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) have welcomed SLU Athletic Training Students for years. We, Demeisha, Ali, Max, Jack and Andrea, are lucky to have such a unique experience for fall 2015 at WUSTL. August came with football preseason, physicals, new PY1’s, PY2’s, and Spain foreign exchange students.  Carlos and Javier are Sports Physiotherapists attending University of Camilo Jose Cela in Madrid. We were extremely lucky to have them for preseason August 2015. Both students were extremely intelligent and had this contagious love for sports. Javier in particular was a competitive swimmer and shared with us his capstone of aquatic rehabilitation in various stages of rehabilitation.  Even with English as there second language; they were able to communicate and teach us new valuable information in rehab especially. We were sad to see them go but wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Football at WUSTL started August 10th and has been full swing ever since. We have experienced many injuries over the past two months and have become familiar with the management and processes for return to play. Anything from anterior shoulder dislocation to turf toe have been assessed, evaluated and treated under the supervision of two very intelligent preceptors; Rick Larsen ATC and SLU Alum Jacob Blasingame ATC. Both of our preceptors try hard day after day to teach us proper techniques, normal management and skills of assessment for optimum health care for our athletes. They are committed to helping us grow into the Athletic Trainers we aspire to be.

Andrea Strebler pictured with her parents at WUSTL Soccer Match.

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.

Spanish Students from Madrid Reflect on their AT Clinical Experiences in St. Louis

International Field Experience  - SLU and Universidad Camilo Jose Cela
By Carlos Cachón Romero & Javier González Vázquez 

We are students in a Master’s program at University of Camilo Jose Cela in Spain, where we are physiotherapists.  For our internship experience for we chose to learn about Athletic Training in the United States, in the city of Saint Louis, Missouri at Saint Louis University (SLU). SLU has an affiliation agreement with Washington University where we learned at practices with their football team under the supervision of Rick Larsen ATC.

The goal of this experience was to learn more about Athletic Training, which is different that is seen as a sports physiotherapist + a sports rehab worker in Spain. It seemed important to get this experience, see how they work on another continent, see the profession of Athletic Training and improve our level of English.

Each day we started in the Athletic Training Room preparing players for the training or the match/game they had to play. In this room, the players came to tape both ankles and wrists, dress skin wounds or more substantial injuries such as fractures or muscle tears.

We also had the opportunity to learn how to teach with Rick Larsen with the other students in the SLU Athletic Training Program.  We were given the opportunity to provide a demonstration of aquatic therapy by Javier Gonzalez Vazquez or a myofascial technique on two players by Carlos Cachon Romero.

Once finalized the work in the Athletic Training Room , we went to the field to prepare everything for the players, water from carts , ice for players, CPR/AED case , even a mini weather station to monitor the time if a storm was coming (which happened and we had to stop training as a precaution).

We were also alert for any serious incident that may occur instantly and we were ready to act as quickly as possible to have the situation under control. Also we taped players (or re-taped since were released by sweat), we performed stretching to the players and some other tasks on the football field. You could say that this was a ''practical'' for game day where we worked to keep our athletes constantly hydrated, and be alert to any danger that might occur during the game.

In short, these practices have helped us to improve as professionals of tomorrow in our clinical practice, see how it works out of Spain and also learn different techniques to those already used to improve our English on everything and have a different view.

We appreciate this opportunity provided by both to Universidad Camilo José Cela (Program Director Alvaro Garcia Romero); Saint Louis University (Program Director Dr. Anthony Breitbach); and Washington University, especially our preceptor Rick Larsen, for hosting us here in the United States.

APRENDIENDO DE LOS AT: INTERCAMBIO CONTINENTAL
By Carlos Cachón Romero & Javier González Vázquez 

Para nuestra experiencia de prácticas del máster que estamos realizando en España como fisioterapeutas, hemos elegido realizar esta estancia de prácticas en los Estados Unidos de América, en el estado de San Luis en Saint Louis University, la cual tiene un convenio con Washington University donde realizamos las practicas con el equipo de futbol americano (Bears) bajo la supervisión de Rick Larsen.

Estas prácticas van encaminadas a la figura del Athletic Training que se ve como un fisioterapeuta deportivo + un readaptador deportivo por lo cual nos pareció importante realizar dichas prácticas para así ver cómo trabajan en otro continente, ver la figura del Athletic Training  y mejorar el nivel de inglés.

Cada día que íbamos estábamos en la habitación de Athletic Training tratando y preparando a los jugadores para el entreno ó el partido que tuviesen que disputar.

En esta habitación, venían los jugadores a vendarse tanto tobillos como muñecas, curarse heridas en la piel o alguna lesión más considerable como pudiesen ser fracturas o roturas musculares. Hemos tenido la oportunidad de aprender como de enseñar puesto que junto a Rick Larsen como a los demás alumnos del programa de Athletic training nos dieron la oportunidad de demostrar lo que valemos ya sea como una exposición del TFG por Javier González Vázquez o por realizar una técnica miofascial en los isquiotibiales a dos jugadores por Carlos Cachón Romero.

Una vez que finalizaba el trabajo en la sala de Athletic Training, salíamos al campo a preparar todo lo necesario para los jugadores, desde los carritos de agua, hielo para los jugadores, maletín de RCP, incluso una mini estación meteorológica para controlar el tiempo por si se acercaba alguna tormenta (cosa que sucedió y tuvimos que parar el entrenamiento por precaución).

Aparte también estábamos atentos por si ocurría algún incidente grave poder actuar al instante y en el menor tiempo posible tener la situación bajo control. También realizábamos ajustes de vendajes (ya que se soltaban por el sudor) o los cambiábamos, realizábamos estiramientos a los jugadores y algunas otras labores a pie de campo. Se podría decir que esto era una ''practica'' para el día del partido donde realizábamos labores de tener a nuestros deportistas hidratados constantemente, estar atentos a cualquier situación de peligro que se pudiera ocurrir durante el partido, realizar vendajes, estiramientos etc...

En resumen, estas prácticas nos han servido para mejorar como profesionales el día de mañana en nuestra práctica clínica, ver como se trabaja fuera de España y a la vez aprender técnicas distintas a las ya utilizadas, mejorar nuestro ingles sobre todo y tener otra visión diferente del jugador.

Muchísimas gracias por esta oportunidad tanto a la universidad Camilo José Cela (Álvaro García Romero), Saint Luis University (Anthony Breitbach), a Washington Univeristy y sobre todo a nuestro tutor en las practicas Rick Larsen por acogernos como uno más en su equipo.

Experienced Preceptors at Washington University Create Excellent Learning Experiences for SLU AT Students

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University in St. Louis

By:  Christian Ahlstrom and Andria Lampe (MAT Class of 2015), Audrey Block and David O'Loughlin (MAT Class of 2016)

At Washington University in St. Louis, we have the opportunity to experience the athletic training lifestyle of a Division III university. We are able to work with all of their sports programs this fall such as football, men's and women's soccer, cross country, tennis and swimming. Four of us SLU students are working with the football program and one SLU student is with the soccer teams. With football, we have the privilege to learn from four very knowledgeable certified athletic trainers, Rick Larsen, ATC, Jim Anderson, ATC, Jacob Blasingame, ATC and Mary Tarzon, ATC, who among one another have more than 70 years of experience in the field. We also have the opportunity to observe the team's orthopedic physicians and chiropractors while they work with our athletes in the athletic training room throughout the week. At Wash U, there is also a wide variety of therapeutic modalities that we are fortunate enough to utilize including Electric Stimulation, Ultrasound, a hydrocollator and GameReady units, just to name a few.

Andria Lampe and David O'Loughlin

Last week, Christian and Dave traveled to Memphis, Tennessee with the football team for a road game against Rhodes College. That is just one of five road trips we students will be going on. Traveling with the team was a great experience, because it pushed us out of our comfort zone. Without being in our usual athletic training room setting, we had to improvise and make use of what we had in an efficient manner. Also, we were recently asked to create a rehab program for one of the football players. This is just one example of the hands-­on opportunities that we get, and it shows that the athletic training staff has a lot of trust in us. The athletic training staff really allows us to enhance our skills by taking a step back and allowing us to be the first line of help.

Audrey Block and Christian Ahlstrom

Wash U is currently undergoing a massive two­ year renovation to their entire athletic facility which includes the athletic training room. This is great for us students because we get a first-­hand experience on how to design and organize an efficient athletic training room. With an amazing staff of athletic trainers and physicians to learn from, hands­-on experience with modalities, traveling opportunities with teams and a competitive collegiate setting to learn in, Wash U offers us a unique experience and a great learning environment that prepares us for our future careers.

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 Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis - Home of the Bears!
By: Nick Gastorf, Angelo Bongiorno and Tyler Wood (MAT Class of 2014); Connor Doherty and Shannon Kane (MAT Class of 2015)

For the academic year of 2013-2014 PY2 students Nick Gastorf, Angelo Bongiorno and Tyler Wood have the privilege of working at Washington University - St. Louis.  For this fall semester, two PY1 students, Connor Doherty and Shannon Kane are also assigned to WashU.  At WashU, we are under the instruction of 4 certified athletics trainers. Head Athletic Trainer Rick Larsen ATC works with the football team. Assistant Athletic Trainer Jacob Blasingame ATC works with football as well and also covers men’s soccer.  Assistant Athletic Trainer Jim Anderson ATC covers women’s soccer and Assistant Athletic Trainer Mary Tarzon ATC covers volleyball and cross country.

SLU AT students Connor Doherty, Nick Gastorf, Angelo Bongiorno and Shannon Kane

To say that the fall has been busy would be an understatement.  We have had great success on the field in almost every sport.  At this point in time, our football team and women’s soccer team are still alive in their NCAA Division III tournaments. The football team has earned their first at large bid since 1999, their second such in school history!  While the athletic teams have had great success on the field, we, as athletic training students, have also had great learning experiences off and on the field. Unfortunately, we have had numerous injuries this fall semester to take care of.  While you never want to see an athlete get hurt, it does allow for us SLU students to enhance our athletic training skills.  Although these injuries have occurred, we are confident these are athletes will be back on the field in no time with the great care they are receiving from the WashU Athletic Training Staff.

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 Has a Fantastic Summer at Washington University

Washington University Summer Internship

By: Mary Rhatigan (MAT Class of 2014)

This summer I had the opportunity to work with some great people at Washington University Saint Louis covering athletic training for the Bear’s summer sports camps. I have always loved working with kids and this summer was a fantastic learning experience not only for practicing my athletic training skills but also for expanding my scope of practice to an entirely new range of ages.

           

After clinical rotations in both a high school and SLU, It was great to have a brief change of pace and see what it is like working with such a different age group. Throughout the weeks I worked with volleyball, basketball, baseball, soccer and football for 6-18 year olds. Some of the residential camps were really busy with a huge number of athletes playing the sport they love from morning til night. For the most part everyone stayed relatively healthy and we were able to manage things smoothly thanks to the wonderful staff and facilities at Wash U.

Rick Larsen ATC with SLU AT student Mary Rhatigan

Along with working with the different camps, I got the chance to help out with a few Wash U athletes’ rehabilitation programs. Head Athletic Trainer Rick Larsen ATC was excited to tell me I would probably have the opportunity to be exposed to some of their rehab cases and he did not disappoint. I was very impressed with their system for organizing the rehab charts and at how easy it was for the athletes to take on the responsibility of dedicated work to get healthy.

Overall this summer was great. I worked in a beautiful facility with a wonderful staff and not only learned a ton but also made some good friends. I wish them the best with their transition into a brand new Athletic Training Room next year.

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have a required internship in the summer between their two professional years in the program.  This blog post details a student's reflection on their internship experience.

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University

Washington University, Home of the Bears

By: Vince Di Renzo, Bridget Quirk and Ryan Vallo, SLU MAT Class of 2013

After a busy and exciting fall at Washington University, we’re back for another semester as we complete our final clinical rotation. Wash U is a NCAA Division III University known for its competitive athletics and prestigious academics. Wash U has four full time athletic trainers on staff who oversee our clinical experience: Rick Larsen, ATC, Jim Anderson, ATC, Mary Tarzon, ATC, and Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program alum, Jacob Blasingame, ATC. We are currently helping out with men and women’s basketball as both teams wrap up a great season.

Vince Di Renzo, Jim Anderson ATC, Bridget Quirk and Ryan Vallo

Wash U head athletic trainer Rick Larsen has a lot in store for us this spring. He has set up mini rotations to enhance our clinical experience. One mini rotation will be athletic training administration. We will have the opportunity to manage inventory of athletic training room supplies and assist in filing insurance claims. Another rotation will be with the Wash U team physicians. We will observe sports medicine physicians Dr. Mark Halstead and Dr. Matt Matava as they further evaluate our injured athletes. Lastly, we will be out on the field with baseball and softball attending to injuries when needed. We are really looking forward to refining our clinical skills set while learning new skills in these rotations.

Recently we implemented Functional Movement Screening (FMS) into our off-season conditioning program for football.  Within the next few weeks, we hope to screen all major sports that we feel can benefit from FMS.   FMS is designed to bring to light any asymmetries between limbs and identify any dysfunctional movement patterns that may increase the risk of injury.  We hope to solidify our athletes’ movement patterns as the foundation for further performance gains and the reduction of injury.

A Washington University football player preforming the hurdle test, one of seven tests administered during functional movement screening.

We feel over the past year that Wash U has been tremendous in helping us grow as future athletic trainers.  It has been a great environment for learning and our preceptors continue to encourage active learning.  As the end of the semester approaches, we hope to continue to build on the knowledge we've gained and continue to be advocates for the athletic training profession.

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 Clinical Site Spotlight: Washington University - St. Louis

Washington University, Home of the Bears

By: Vince DiRenzo, Bridget Quirk and Ryan Vallo, SLU MAT Class of 2013

Saint Louis University Athletic Training students Bridget Quirk, Vince Di Renzo, and Ryan Vallo are working with the sports medicine staff at Washington University- St. Louis for the 2012-13 academic year.  They are all part of the 2013 Master of Athletic Training class.  Washington University serves as a premier clinical site for both professional year 1 and professional year 2 students.  Washington University is a NCAA Division III University known for its competitive athletics and prestigious academics.  Currently, Wash U has four full time athletic trainers on staff: Rick Larsen, ATC, Jim Anderson, ATC, Mary Tarzon, ATC, and Saint Louis Athletic Training Program alum, Jacob Blasingame, ATC.  During the academic cycle, each athletic training student is assigned to a preceptor at the site that further enhances each student’s learning opportunity.

Vince works primarily with Rick Larsen, the Head Athletic Trainer at Wash U.  Rick has been working at Wash U for 30 plus years, and is constantly looking for ways to improve the efficiency of the program.  Rick also serves on the SLU Athletic Training Program Advisory Board.  Vince will be aiding Rick with varsity football coverage during the fall, assisting with basketball in the winter, and covering some baseball in the spring. 

Vince DiRenzo, Jim Anderson ATC, Bridget Quirk and Ryan Vallo

 

Bridget Quirk currently assists Jim Anderson and Jacob Blasingame covering Men’s and Women’s Soccer.  During winter, she will help cover women’s basketball and softball in the spring.  Jim is in his second year as part of the sports medicine staff at Wash U.  Before coming to Wash U, Jim was the head athletic trainer for the St. Louis Rams for over 20 years.  He brings an abundance of knowledge and experience that enables students to learn.  Jacob is in his first year as part of the staff.  Previously, he was an adjunct faculty member at Saint Louis University and covered women’s field hockey.  While part of the SLU AT Program, he did a semester rotation at Washington University under Rick Larsen.

Ryan Vallo assists Mary Tarzon covering women’s volleyball.  He will also help cover men’s basketball in the winter and track and field in the spring.  Mary is in her first year as part of the sports medicine staff as well.  Previously, she earned her masters at the University of Indiana and her bachelors at Xavier University.  She is originally from the St. Louis area and is eager to enable other student’s learning opportunities.

Each day at Wash U creates a new and unique opportunity for the athletic training students currently assigned there.  They work with the full time athletic training staff, interact with team physicians, in order to deliver the best treatment available to student athletes.  The athletic training students are the first to evaluate the athletes, narrow down the problem, and develop a treatment plan that is appropriate to each case.  If they have questions, they can ask any of the ATCs on staff.  They are always there to help and make sure your experience reaches its full potential.  They want to learn as much from you as you can learn from them.  In 2014, Wash U will be renovating their facilities with a new athletic training room.  The new facility hopes to be completed by 2015 and will have over 2500 square feet dedicated to the athletic training portion.  As the athletic training profession continues to evolve, so must the environment that influences the successful return of the athlete.

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 Develops Skills with Summer Camps at Washington University

Working and Growing at Washington U.

By: Rachel Cocek (SLU MAT Class of 2013)

The past two months I have gotten the opportunity to work with the four wonderful Athletic Trainers at Washington University in St. Louis: Rick Larsen, Jim Anderson, Kelly Lawson, and Jacob Blasingame.  In these few months, I covered various summer sports camps with athletes ranging from age six all the way up to seniors in high school.  Working with such young athletes allowed me to have an extremely unique experience which helped me further develop skills that I had originally only practiced on Division I and III collegiate athletes.  I definitely gained a lot more experience in clinical evaluation because sometimes kids don’t want to talk to you and tell you what’s going on with them so you really have to work with them and ask all the right questions to get information regarding their injury out of them.  On the other hand, some kids will tell you anything that’s on their mind so I learned how to filter what was most important in order to make an accurate diagnosis and create a recovery plan for them.  I also learned how to simplify my explanations and the details of their injury so that they could know exactly what was going on with them and not feel lost or out of the loop.  I feel that this is something that I can definitely carry over into working with high school and college athletes because they might not always understand the anatomical terms or the facts about the injury they have sustained.

Rachel Cocek (SLU MAT Class of 2013) taping an ankle before a practice session.

This summer has also made me realize that younger athletes and older collegiate athletes can be so different but so alike.  The younger athletes seem to be a lot more trusting right away just because of their personalities and how they interact with new people.  Towards the end of my internship, I worked a soccer camp for high school female soccer players and I could tell it was going to take a little bit more for them to trust me and the skills that I have.  Although they are different in this way, younger athletes and older athletes tend to have one big trait in common: stubbornness.  Neither wants to accept that they are injured and need to sit out in order to fully recover.  While it was frustrating for both the athletes and myself, it was so rewarding in the end when they recovered and could return to play pain-free.

I also loved working with four different Athletic Trainers because I got to experience how each one assesses an athlete or performs special tests.  I think working with so many ATCs had helped me to understand the process of evaluation and develop my own way of evaluating an athlete so as to reach the correct diagnosis and start treating that athlete.  I also got the chance to work with many of the different coaches at Washington University and it was so great because they were very enthusiastic about me being there and willing to work with me so that I could learn as much as I could in two months.

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Education Program have a required internship in the summer between their two professional years in the program.  This blog post details a student's reflection on their internship experience. 

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Washington University Football

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructor. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction is a major asset for the SLU AT education program.

Rick Larsen ATC serves as the primary approved clinical instructor for three SLU AT students with the football team at Washington University in St. Louis.  They are J.J. Hannigan (MAT Class of 2012), Janese Evans (MAT Class of 2013) and  Katie Herington (MAT Class of 2013).

Washington University Football

By: Katie Mae Herington (MAT Class of 2013)

I have spent my first clinical experience at Washington University in St. Louis working primarily with Rick Larsen. I’ve also gotten to work with Jim Anderson, Kelly Lawson, and Kellie Black. It has been a great experience so far. Each athletic trainer has had different experiences, so it’s nice to have different opinions on certain treatments, taping techniques, and other things pertaining to athletic training. I’ve been working specifically with the football team, so I’ve gotten to see a wide variety of injuries. We’ve had multiple ACL tears, a tibial plateau fracture, an elbow hyperextension, torn ligaments in hands, as well as multiple other fractures, dislocations, and contusions. As a first clinical experience I feel like I’ve been exposed to a wide variety of injuries, and now have a better idea how to handle them. 

Working with Rick has been a very educational experience. He has very high expectations for all of his athletic training students and will hold them up to a high standard of performance everyday. One education tool he has used with us has been assigning each student a certain injury to follow. After filling out a SOAP note on our assigned athlete we present our information to Rick and the other athletic training students. After presenting, there will be follow-up questions from Rick and our peers, and then we’ll discuss things we should’ve considered including in our report and what we could’ve done different. I like these assignments because they allow us to practice skills we need to be competent at as ATCs.

Overall this experience has been extremely enlightening. Not only have I improved my taping skills drastically, I’ve learned new techniques, learned extensive wound care, practiced different modalities, covered multiple competencies, and discussed and treated many different injuries.  Working with Rick has been a great experience. He often shares stories from his 30 years as an ATC, which are extremely beneficial considering Rick’s extensive career and all of his unique experiences.

I enjoy working at Washington University, and I can’t wait to see what else I learn in this clinical rotation. 

Rick Larsen ATC (second from left) with SLU AT student JJ Hannigan, Katie Herington and Janese Evans (left to right)

Washington University Football

By: Janese Evans (MAT Class of 2013)

I am currently doing my first clinical rotation at Washington University in St. Louis working with the football team under Head Athletic Trainer, Rick Larsen. I have the opportunity to work with three other SLU students: JJ Hannigan, Katie Herington, and Katie Schneebeck.  So far my experience at Wash U has been incredible. I’ve learned so many new things, witnessed quite a few injuries, and built great relationships with my ACI, the other SLU students, the other Wash U Athletic Trainers, the football coaches, and most importantly with the football players. Rick Larsen is extremely knowledgeable and has so much experience and advice to offer. Larsen is always trying to get us to think critically and is constantly pushing myself and the other AT students to take advantage of these opportunities that we have. Larsen encourages us to think like clinicians and gives us the opportunity to showcase what we learn in class and apply it to our clinical experience. This first clinical rotation so far has been a great journey and I look forward to learning so much more before it is over.    

Everyone has to "carry their share" in this clinical rotation!

Athletic Trainer Rick Larsen Featured in Article about "Comeback Athlete" Sean Wallis in Training and Conditioning Magazine

Sean Wallis, a men's basketball player at Washington University, was named as the "Comeback Athlete" in the December 2009 issue of Training and Conditioning Magazine.  Wash U Head Athletic Trainer Rick Larsen was also featured in the article as he managed the Wallis' knee injury acutely and supervised the rehabilitation and return to play.

Rick Larsen and his staff serves as Approved Clinical Instructors in the SLU Athletic Training Education program where Washington University is a clinical site.

Click here to read the article.

Washington University Athletic Training Staff

Anna Braun, Rick Larsen, Kelly Mitchell & Mike Berry

Busy Time of the Year

The fall sports are winding down and the winter sports are ramping up, making this a busy time of the year for athletic trainers everywhere!

In addition to that...our students have a full docket of classes, which are keeping them busy!

Some photos of the activities....

Emily Monahan experiencing a diathermy treatment.

Ann Schmerbauch and Geanie Butts testing the effectiveness of a therapeutic modality.

The student assigned to Washington University are poised and ready! Jacob Blasingame, Kellie Black, Meghan Gehrs and Laura Gosewisch.


They spring into action when there is an injury with Washington University Head Athletic Trainer Rick Larsen observing closely.