SLU AT Student Appreciates Preceptor's Guidance in Busy Setting with St. Louis Scott Gallagher

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Saint Louis Scott Gallagher/Mercy Sports Medicine 

By: Chase Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This summer, I have had the pleasure of working with Saint Louis Scott Gallagher (SLSG) Soccer. 

Getting to work under the guidance my preceptor, SLU alum Emily Costabile MAT ATC, through Mercy Sports Medicine has been essential to my growth as a future clinician. I am thankful that she was open to sharing her wealth of sports medicine knowledge with me.  

SLSG has allowed me to broaden my evaluation skills on a wide variety of soccer athletes, as well as how to treat and prevent these injuries.  Because of the high number of athletes we get to interact with everyday, Emily has also helped me improve on my manual therapy techniques that I can utilize in moving forward as an athletic trainer.  

Emily's guidance this summer has been exceptionally beneficial, and I am grateful for the opportunity to get to work with such a unique population of athletes.  

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

SLU AT Student Experiences Collaborative Athletic Health Care with the Minnesota Golden Gophers

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics
By: Adam Long PT, DPT (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

For my first summer field experience, I worked alongside Jeff Winslow MS, ATC, CSCS, associate athletic trainer for men’s ice hockey at the University of Minnesota. With summer being the off-season for ice hockey, most of our responsibilities took place off the ice, primarily in the athletic training room-located at ice level of 3M Arena at Mariucci.

With incoming freshman, pre-participation evaluations must be performed to rule out any medical conditions which may negatively affect the athlete and to promote overall health and safety during sport. Additionally, baseline ImPACT and SCAT testing were administered for concussion monitoring during the upcoming season. Meetings with the team orthopedic surgeon were scheduled to monitor athletes’ progress through rehab moving towards a return to skating and drills on ice.

I also gained experience from both administrative aspects and interprofessional collaboration at the University of Minnesota. Communication among coaching personnel, strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, counseling, physicians, graduate assistants and more, detail the amount of involvement required when responsible for the student athletes. Additionally, I gained insight about the role of athletics director, medical director, and its relation to the entire body of athletic medicine-with their goal to create a collaborative care model for athletics.

Finally, I was fortunate to get exposure to football summer activities. Michael Sypniak ATC, associate and head athletic trainer for football provided me opportunity to see the inner workings of his staff and team and how they function. With a large number of athletes to monitor-it takes a coordinated effort to provide coverage and treatment.

I definitely found benefit from my experience at the University of Minnesota as it further clarified what an athletic training position would look like at a Big Ten University.

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

SLU AT Students and Faculty Team Up at Nike Basketball Camp

Saint Louis University's Simon Recreation Center serves as the host site for one of the nation's top basketball events each June.  

Nike invites some of the country's top high school freshmen and sophomore basketball players to the Elite 100 Basketball Camp to help them develop their skills on and off the court.  Many of the top players currently in the NBA participated in this event over the years.

Once again this year, on June 7-10, 2018, SLU Athletic Training Program faculty and students worked side by side to provide medical care for the camp.  

This provides a great clinical connection for our program, and has emerged into a tradition and gives them a common experience over the years.

We appreciate this opportunity each year to empower our students in a fun and exciting clinical environment.

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Gains Confidence Through Directed Observation Experiences

New AT Student Blog Post - Conner Mongoven (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

As a Junior in the SLU AT program, I am getting ready to transition into the professional phase of the program. It is hard to look ahead and know exactly what to expect and what it will be like starting with Gross Anatomy this summer, but throughout MAT 3000 and direct observation hours, I have gotten a much better grasp as to what I will experience these next two years.

I got to experience a lot of different settings in my Directed Observation (DO) hours, including the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament at the Scottrade Center, SLU Club Hockey at Webster Groves, SLU Track and Field at the Medical Campus track, and both the Southeastern Conference gymnastics championships and NCAA gymnastics championships at Chaifetz Arena. My favorite experiences were at hockey and gymnastics. I enjoyed the fast pace of hockey and witnessing PY2 student Pat O’Neill and Dr. Timothy Howell discuss their opinions of a shoulder injury of one of the opposing players, and hearing their thoughts of how that team’s athletic trainer was handling the situation and the injury. At gymnastics, which I had never before seen in person, it was cool to see the amount of team morale and crowd support, and the constant cheering as each event took place simultaneously. I got a lot of insight from PY1 students Adam Long and Jazmon Carroll at the SEC Championships about their clinical experiences and what to expect as I move on to the professional phase of the program.

After learning some basic skills in MAT 3000 and doing direct observation hours, I am really excited to begin the next phase of the program and work towards the Master of Athletic Training Degree and AT certification. Hearing from current students above me has given me the confidence to know that no matter how hard anything seems now, that I will be able to excel in the program. I can’t wait to move forward and continue this journey in the SLU AT program.

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 is Excited for the Next Step in Her Unique Path to Athletic Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Reflects on Spring Experiences as She Looks Forward to the Future

New AT Student Blog Post - Claire Ditman (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

As I am wrapping up my third year in the SLU Athletic Training program and looking ahead to what will come next, I am reflecting on the experiences I have had so far within the program.

This year I was able to participate in Directed Observation hours in order to get a better understanding of what my future would look like as an athletic trainer. I also was a great opportunity to get to know older students in the program and get their advice on how to best succeed in the program. While at the sites, I was able to meet many of the preceptors that I could potentially be working under next year. This was awesome to get to know them before hand and get a grasp on what my clinical experiences will be like next year. 

A few of the sites I was able to attend were Fontbonne University with PY1 Chase Long, WashU with PY2 Jenna Ginsberg, the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, and SLU Club Hockey games. Fontbonne and WashU were great experiences to see how a college athletic training room functions as at this point in my education, I am interested in college athletic training. They also were great about explain what they were doing and telling me in which class I would get to learn more about it. The MVC tournament was a fun experience in which I got to see how a large-scale event works in terms of taking care of the athletes, as well as, it was cool to be on the sidelines of a Bradley University game as I grew up watching their games. Finally, SLU hockey was an eye open experience to see the difference that occur when treating athletes in a ice rink. 

This semester has made me excited to enter the professional phase of the program and begin getting hands on experience. It has prepared me a great deal for the fall and I know this summer will prepare me even more. Although I am slightly nervous for Gross Anatomy this summer, I am more excited for the experience and feel it will benefit me greatly. Plus I will get to spend the summer getting to know my classmates that I will be spending a lot of time with the next two years!

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 Get a Diverse and Dynamic Learning Environment with Billiken Athletics

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University
By: Erin Fabbri, Rory Cusack, Grant Hollander, Matt Murphy, Adam Long, and Dimitri Kilian (SLU MAT Class of 2019), Donielle Francis, Ryan Dale and Pat O’Neill (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

The Saint Louis University Department of Athletics provides a wonderful clinical experience for all of us!

Currently three 2nd year (PY2) students and six 1st year (PY1) students with the Billikens and we have been given the opportunity to get experience with multiple Division 1 sports teams during their winter and spring seasons. Our preceptors are: Jonathan Burch, ATC, Ben Heimos, ATC, Lizzy Kienstra, ATC, Petra Knight ATC and Tammy Pastor ATC.  They have allowed each of us to have very unique clinical experiences and has exposed us to a diverse group of athletes and other health professionals.

As PY2s, we have enjoyed two wonderful semesters a SLU, which has been great for our development as future athletic trainers. We have learned so much from our respective preceptors and they have done a great job of preparing us for the real world. Our preceptors have helped us and allowed us to develop our skill set and gain more confidence by increasing our responsibilities and allowing us to learn through hands-on experience. We have also enjoyed getting a chance to interact and help mentor the PY1s. We know and understand exactly what they are going through, so we welcome the opportunity to help them grow.

As PY1s, we cover basketball, baseball, swimming and diving, and track and field. We have learned more about rehab, modalities and how to work with other athletic trainers. At this clinical site we have been exposed to more resources such as laser therapy, SwimEx, AlterG and Normatec, which can improve and expand our skill set. We have the opportunity to develop better relationships with the athletes by being able to see them daily. We have had a great experience thus far by both the preceptors and PY2s helping us build a better understanding of athletic training.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their preceptors. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU AT Program.

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

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

By: Bridget Bushong (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

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

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

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

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

SLU AT Students Advocate for Athletic Training in the St. Louis Community at HealthyU

SCI-FEST/HealthyU at the St. Louis Science Center

By: Hannah Daily (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

This past weekend, on Saturday November 4^th, students in the St. Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) volunteered their time to show the St. Louis community what AT is all about during the annual Healthy U event at the St. Louis Science Center. SLATS plus hundreds of other professionals got the chance to engage with local families to teach them a more about the many health care fields. 

Healthy U is a part of the SCI-FEST series of educational programs and events. At HealthyU, we set up a return to play obstacle course including mini-hurdles, an agility ladder, cones and a balance component to finish it off. For parents, there was a raffle for four free SLU Billkens Men's Basketball tickets.

This experience was a fun and interactive way to show what the field of athletic training is all about. Our students also got to meet other athletic trainers around the area which was a great source of networking! Even though the kids didn’t quite follow the rules of our obstacle course, it was a great time teaching them about the Athletic Training profession.

Overall, this experience at Healthy U was a positive one and I am excited to see SLATS participate again next year.

SLU AT Students See Their Skills Progressing with the Busy Pace at Affton HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Affton High School

By: Rory Cusack and Chase Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

At Affton High School, with our preceptor Becky Stigen ATC, we have been learning so much so fast!

Within the last 2 months, we have experienced many different types of injuries and have observed different sporting events at each level such as soccer, football, cross country, and more.

Within the last month, we have dealt with several situations in which we have had to send athletes to the hospital, for example, head laceration, fracture dislocation in the ankle, broken nose, and much more. As the semester as progressed, we have improved on our taping and evaluation skills. We are finally able to do real evaluations on the ankle and help figure out rehabilitation programs to help the athletes return to play.

Being at Affton is a great experience for us and we have been enjoying every minute of it. There is never a dull moment and we are continuously learning more and expanding our skill set.

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 the Team Approach to Health Care at John Burroughs School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - John Burroughs School

By: Caitlin Gibson (SLU MAT Class of 2018) and Adam Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Our clinical site at John Burroughs has provided us with an enriching environment where we have been able to further develop and refine our skills as athletic training students. Under the supervision and direction of Dean Tiffany ATC, the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director at JBS, new elements of learning take place every day. John Burroughs is a high school setting (grades 7-12), which requires its students to partake in a sport during their curriculum. With this setup, there are numerous opportunities to observe, assess and provide treatment/rehabilitation programs to a range of adolescent athletes playing a variety of sports. 

Starting in the latter part of July, we began with football mini-camp and in the following weeks, added to our list of fall sports including: cross country, field hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and golf. While each sport has its specific demands, it is the constant influx of varying athletes which provides its challenges to provide appropriate treatment. Having a team consisting of an athletic trainer, athletic training students, on-site nurse, and physician on-call, provides us the opportunity to learn from these disciplines and give each student well rounded care. 

We have a consistent schedule Monday through Saturday, with responsibilities consisting of prepping waters/Gatorade, injury ice, field setup, treatments, administrative duties, and practice/game medical coverage. This requires team efficiency to ensure that our athletes are being seen and treated adequately and on schedule. We have a good relationship with Dean, our preceptor, while each day can be demanding physically and mentally, we try to keep a fun, lively environment within the athletic training room. 

Overall, from taping techniques, physical evaluation, rehab programming, communication with coaching staff, and learning the nuances of each athlete, JBS provides a challenging environment in which we have been able to elevate our level of competency, in preparation of being certified athletic trainers. 

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.