SLU Athletic Training Program Hosts MAT Capstone Day on May 5, 2023

Students in the Saint Louis University Master of Athletic Training Class of 2023 will be presenting their Capstone Projects in the Multipurpose Room of the Allied Health Professions Building on SLU's South Campus as well as virtually on-line on May 6, 2022 starting at 9:00 am.

The event is open to the public, and presentation of these projects mark the completion of their experience as students in the SLU Athletic Training Program.

2023 MAT Capstone Day Schedule

9:00 AM - Mason Remeis

Eccentric Exercise and Its Effect with Pain Reduction in Athletes Suffering from Patellar Tendinopathy Injuries: A Critically Appraised Topic

9:15 AM - Olivia Mani

The Effects of Caffeine Consumption on Athletic Performance in Endurance and Strength Activities: A Critically Appraised Topic

9:30 AM - Alex Smith

Traumatic Partial Patellar Tendon Tear in a Female Basketball Player: A case report 

9:45 AM - Lauren Swords

The Influence of Joint Mobilizations on Chronic Ankle Instability: A Literature Review

10:00 AM - Giovanna Charles

The Emotional Health of a Secondary School Multi-Sport Athlete: A Case Study

10:15 AM - Alex Davis

The Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Training During Postoperative ACLR Rehabilitation: A Critically Appraised Topic

10:30 AM - Stacie Galo 

Rehabilitation Considerations for use of Allograft in the Surgical Repair of Osteochondral Lesions Combined with ACL Reconstruction: A Case Study 

10:45 AM -  Emily Haley

Nutritional Supplementation Use in the Management of Concussion: A Literature review

11:00 AM - Muharem Komic

Effectiveness of Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump Power in Female Basketball Players: A Critically Appraised Topic

11:15 AM - Eldwin Neritani

The Effectiveness of Nordic Hamstring Exercises in Reducing Recurrent Hamstring Strain Injuries in Elite Level Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic

11:30 AM - Mary Margaret Cannatella

Post-Operative Outcomes and Return to Play in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Literature Review 

11:45 AM - Jordan Hyink

Effectiveness of Kinesiotape on Scapular Dyskinesis in Asymptomatic Overhead Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic

12:00 NOON - RECOGNITION CEREMONY/PROGRAM AWARDS

Online Access via Zoom: 

https://slu.zoom.us/j/98891121987?pwd=L2xLcHY0R2ZZZ1VsMjNBRFpLbENOdz09

Meeting ID: 988 9112 1987

Password: 495404

For more information email Dr. Anthony Breitbach, Vice Dean and MAT Capstone Course Coordinator at anthony.breitbach@health.slu.edu.

SLU AT Students Value Autonomy and Support Provided by Preceptor with Billiken Athletics

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics 

By: Olivia Mani and Muharem Komic (MAT Class of 2023)

We are with preceptor Ben Heimos ATC at Saint Louis University with Men's Soccer and Baseball. We have really been honing our skills that we already know with Ben and have been learning more with our conversations with him. One thing that we both enjoy working with Ben is the amount of autonomy we have. We get to be on our own while Ben is there in case we need anything, but it is very nice that he lets us go on our own and helps us when we ask him to. Other than that we are in control of treatment for the athletes unless something specific needs to be done from Ben. 

Our hands-on experience has grown exponentially with working with athletes every day doing some type of soft tissue work, manual assistance, or just rehabilitation exercises that are needed. One big take is taping, everyday we are taping ankles and wrists. Some athletes require specific taping jobs due to certain injuries and being able to do them is a learning curve, but we are handling everything really well.

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 in Professional Baseball with the Gateway Grizzlies

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Gateway Grizzlies Baseball Club

By: Olivia Mani and Jordan Hyink (MAT Class of 2023)

Our summer field experience is with the Gateway Grizzlies, a Frontier League baseball team. Our preceptor Geof Manzo ATC, LAT has been working as the team’s athletic trainer for 19 seasons, so he knows exactly the best way to run a training room in this league. We have found our own groove in his system by working with the team in the Health Education Center. This center provides an appropriate environment to provide complete and adequate care to our athletes during their stretch of home games. 

Working with professional baseball at this level challenges an athletic trainer’s ability to adapt. Often times management is trading or releasing players, which, for us, means we lose athletes we have been working with through recovery and gain new ones who need us to pick up their treatment plan from where they left off with their previous team. Another challenge is centralizing our focus to soft tissue work. Most of what we do is related to therapeutic massage, instrument soft tissue mobilization, or cupping. This gives us a unique opportunity to hone in our skills that are required when working in this particular setting.

Both of us have the desire to have a career working with baseball in the future, which makes this experience that much more special to us. This serves as a perfect opportunity for us to take a look into what the culture is like in a higher level of competition in this sport. So far, we have been able to immerse ourselves into the role as an athletic trainer in this league with a large commitment of hours and care for our athletes. We look forward to the rest of our summer and everything that we’re about to learn. 

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 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. 

Annual SLU AT Program Speaker Series Recognizes Student Excellence and Features Entrepreneurship in Health Care

9th Annual SLU Athletic Training Speakers Series and Recognition Ceremony

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program hosted its 9th Annual Speaker Series and Recognition Ceremony on Monday, February 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the Education Union Auditorium on Medical Center (South) Campus.

The event was presented by the Saint Louis University chapter of Iota Tau Alpha - the Athletic Training Honor Society - and supported by the SLU Student Government Association. The evening began with the 2020 initiation ceremony for the SLU Alpha Iota Chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the National Athletic Training Honor Society.

Alpha Iota Chapter - Iota Tau Alpha - 2020 Honorees

Graduate -

Hannah Daily and Justin Durham

Undergraduate - 

Emily Haley, Amra  Kardasevic, Olivia Mani, Eldwin Neritani, Alexander Smith, Lauren Swords and Katherine Wissing

The formal program began with SLU AT student Allison Stefan's remarks remembering Rick Larsen ATC, Washington University Health Athletic Trainer and SLU AT Program preceptor, who passed away earlier in the month.

SLU Director of Campus Ministry Sue Chawszczewski gave an invocation and Doisy College of Health Sciences Dean Mardell Wilson made introductory remarks and welcomed attendees.

The Brandi Burgett Memorial Award and Scholarship was awarded, with Brandi's parents Robert and Marnie Burgett making remarks and recognizing the scholarship honorees Alejandra Chavez, Abby Hoffman and Caitlyn Thomas. Bauman Scholarship award winners Allison Stefan and Caitlyn Thomas were also recognized. 

The keynote speaker for the event was Mark Kaufman PT, ATC, Founder and Executive Chairman of Athletico Physical Therapy. The title of his presentation was: “Better for Every Body, Business Success Built on a Strong Foundation as a Health Professional”

Following the keynote presentation, there was a panel discussion which included Mark Kaufman; along with KD Consulting Owner and Missouri Athletic Trainers' Association President Karen Fennell, MS, ATC; Khazen AthletiKare Owner Lori Khazen, MS, ATC; and SLU Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Mike Markee, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, ATC

It was once again an evening of informative discussion and special recognition of SLU AT students!

Photo gallery from the event: https://lnkd.in/eN2QNHj 

Link to video of the keynote and panel presentation: https://lnkd.in/eSQdaiT