SLU AT Student Enjoys Connecting Classroom and Clinical Learning at Rockwood Summit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School

By: Maggie Cannatella (MAT Class of 2023)

I really enjoyed my first clinical experience at Rockwood Summit High School.  Although it has only been about a month, I have already learned a lot from my preceptor, Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer and SLU Alum Tony Mosello MAT, ATC.  This semester, I have learned about some injuries and clinical skills in class and gotten the chance to apply or see them in clinical.  

As the school year progresses, I am excited to learn more about evals and other skills that I get to see Tony use every day.  I have gotten the chance to help tape the athletes and practice modalities I have learned in class.  So far, as I have become more comfortable, I have gotten to know some of the athletes at Rockwood Summit and started to develop relationships and establish trust.  

The athletes, coaches, and staff have been nothing but welcoming and it has been a great environment to learn in.  I am excited for the rest of the semester and for the opportunity to learn more about the profession of athletic training and to continue to learn in class and then apply that knowledge in clinical.  I already have learned and seen so much, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for the rest of the semester.

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 Finds a Welcoming Community in a Busy Clinical Site at Marquette HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Marquette High School

By: Brittany Risko (MAT Class of 2022)

This semester I have the wonderful opportunity to be placed at Marquette High School with preceptor Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Mathew Petersen ATC. This semester has been flying by pretty quick so far! Marquette has been very welcoming and excited to have another member to their community. 

I have learned how to manage more athletes in a shorter amount of time. Marquette has a little over 2,000 students this is a much larger population than my previous clinical placement. It has been a lot of adaptation and learning how to manage all the athletes and get them in and out to fields to practice in an efficient matter. 

I am gaining so much new knowledge as well as refreshing concepts from Mathew. Through observing evaluation, assisting in evaluation and doing evaluations myself I am gaining invaluable experience so far at Marquette. 

I look forward to the rest of the year with the community and working with their athletes.  

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

SLU AT Student Sees the Importance of Communication Skills in Clinical Practice at DeSmet Jesuit High School

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - De Smet Jesuit High School

By: Eldwin Neritani (MAT Class of 2023)

During my clinical experience at De Smet Jesuit High School, I have definitely learned a lot from my preceptor Mercy Sports Medicine AT and SLU alum Dan Herrin MAT, ATC. The dynamics within the athletic training environment has been a new realm that I have never experienced before. One thing that I learned is how important and crucial communication is; whether that be between the athletic trainer and the athletes, or with the coaches, or with any other person. I have learned so much about the athletic trainer-athlete relationship, and how important it is to build that relationship. Having that proper communication between the athlete and I makes the entire process so much easier. With that communication also brings with it a general gaining of trust from the athletes. By being personable with and being able to interact with the athletes allows for a connection to form between us, which just makes the entire process much more enjoyable and streamlined for both parties.

And with those different people coming through the door, comes with different needs and expectations. There is no cookie-cutter one size fits all method that works for everyone. It helps to be creative and be able to think on the spot about a better treatment for an athlete. It could be something as simple as a small addition of an extra figure 8 or stirrup in my ankle tape for them to give them better support, or if an athlete has not been showing results in their rehab I observed as my preceptor Dan tries different techniques that might be of more help.

I have also learned that it is very much alright to not understand everything, something that I have definitely had to work on. Being able to understand my limits and what I know and don’t know how to do has definitely been eye opening for me. The thing that has helped me the most in situations like this is admitting when I don’t know something, but then paying attention to and asking Dan questions has been one of the biggest helps for me. Or even when I do something wrong, or if an athlete wants their ankle or wrist re-taped because they didn’t like how  I did it the first time. These are all moments that I have learned from and will continue to learn from through the experiences I have had.

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's Confidence Grows as Activities Return to "Normal" at Christian Brothers College HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School

By: Sydney Nash (MAT Class of 2022)

My clinical experience at Christian Brothers College (CBC) High Schoool has been nothing short of exciting! As spring sports are in full swing and the Athletic Training room is busy! As spring athletes are starting to come into the athletic training room, we are constantly trying to learn who they are due to the fact students who were freshman last year have likely not met the athletic trainer and my preceptor at CBC Kristen Jeans ATC, LMT, from Mercy Sports Medicine. All of the athletes who have not been able to play for at least 1 year having their spring  season taken from them last year are very excited to get back on the field for this season.  

As students start coming into the Athletic Training room, we have been doing a lot more rehab this semester compared to the first semester. I have been learning a lot in regard to post surgical rehab and strengthening. Our athletes have been diligent in coming in and doing their rehab so they can develop their strengths and get out there to safely play the sports they love.  

Throughout this semester I have been able to be hands on with our athletes and become more confident in my skills. Kristen has provided me with numerous tips and things to consider when evaluating patients. Being able to have Kristen as a preceptor has provided me with great knowledge and experience here at Christian Brothers College.

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 Welcoming Clinical Learning Environment at Westminster Christian Academy

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy

By: Jose Blanco (MAT Class of 2021) and Brittany Risko (MAT Class of 2022)

This semester we have had the excellent opportunity of doing our clinical education together at Westminster Christian Academy. We have the pleasure of learning from Katherine Love, MAT, ATC, a SLU alum who works for Mercy Sports Medicine, and so far we have enjoyed our time here at Westminster. Westminster boasts high quality facilities, numerous sports and a welcoming community. Due to the sheer size of the campus we see a volume of athletes seeking help whether with prevention, rehab, or just to chat making the experience all the better. The staff are friendly, and the athletes are respectful and fun to be around. 

This semester Jose started with Brittany who had been at Westminster in the fall. This spring we have managed to become a good team and work efficiently every day. So far, this is the semester that Jose feels that he has learned the most and it has only been half of it. He is looking forward to keep learning for the rest of this semester through graduation. Being in her second semester at Westminster Christian Academy Brittany has enjoyed continuing her clinical education here. It is crazy that the spring semester is already halfway over. She has had a great time working with Jose and bringing him into the Westminster Community. 

Westminster and Katherine this semester have afforded some great opportunities. We have seen the women’s and men’s varsity basketball teams win the district champions this year and I had the opportunity to travel to the state championships with our men’s basketball team in Springfield MO where they placed 2nd at the State Championship. 

In all Westminster Christian Academy and Katherine have provide a great atmosphere for our clinical education. The faculty, students, athletes, and community together are supportive and provide plenty of opportunities to learn inside and outside 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 Student Adapts Through Unique Winter and Spring Seasons at DeSmet Jesuit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - DeSmet Jesuit High School

By: Joey Wenzl (MAT Class of 2021) 

This semester has not been as full of surprises as last semester was when it comes to whether or not games will be played. All of the games that we had on the schedule were  played. There weren’t any major COVID scares for us either during the winter sports season.  The only issue we had was when one of our basketball players got exposed during a playoff game. He ended up testing positive and had to miss our next games, but the team was still able  to play and played well without him in. Spring sports are starting up now so we will wait and  see what happens with that, but since those are mainly outside, I don’t expect much of a  problem with any of them. The only issue I can see running into would be is that a couple of the athletes get lazy and don’t take the necessary precautions that they need to and end up exposing the team that way. 

Injury-wise everybody has been pretty healthy thus far. Recently, there has been an  influx with the beginning of spring sports and the people not being conditioned enough when  starting out, but nothing serious. These are easy to evaluate and form a diagnosis on which is  good for me. Everyone that I do is a confidence booster and makes me ready for another one.  These evaluations are the one thing I feel like I was still lacking in when the semester started out and not having any injuries during the winter sports, while good for the teams, did not help  me to progress at all. However, with all of these simple injuries, I feel like I am getting to a point where I am confident in myself and my abilities as I start to look for a job and do this for real.  

Since there wasn’t that much happening in the winter season, and spring sports just now getting underway, there was plenty of downtime while I was at my clinical. This time was not wasted though, instead it was used to study and ask questions since the BOC is fast approaching. I have used this time to sure up the things I didn’t quite understand that well. My preceptor from Mercy Sports Medicine SLU alum Dan Herrin MAT, ATC has been a huge help in this process in giving me the resources and knowledge to help me  succeed. When I have questions for him he gives me an answer that makes sense and doesn’t overexplain a concept to the point where I have no idea what he’s talking about, while still  explaining it enough to help me fully understand it. 

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 Appreciates Support from Preceptor and Community at Westminster Christian Academy

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy

By: Brittany Risko (MAT Class of 2022)

This fall semester so far, we have conquered so many things as a program, college, and university. I have had the opportunity this fall semester to participate in my first clinical experience in the SLU AT Program. I am thankful to have been placed at Westminster Christian Academy with Katherine Love, MAT, ATC, who works for Mercy Sports Medicine and is a graduate from SLU’s AT Graduate Program. It has been a great experience so far! We had a slow start at first due to only practices being held and the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 Pandemic however, I liked being able to get the know the athletes and faculty better before heading into games. 

Katherine is a great preceptor I have learned a lot of skills professionally from her. She has a lot of knowledge to offer and is always there to answer questions. I am starting to get a lot more hands on in my experience with the help of Katherine pushing me to just try things out because it’s better to try and mess up a few times so that she can help teach me how to do it right or guide me in the right direction so that the next time that something similar arises I have the skills to take care of it. I have enjoyed the challenges that she gives me so that I can grow more confident in my skills and abilities as a student athletic trainer.  

The WCA community has been very welcoming with my service dog Penelope as well. Penelope has also had a great time working in her first clinical setting. Penelope’s favorite things include riding in the gator, waiting patiently for an ice cube out of the ice machine, and playing with the football players while they wait to get taped. One of Penelope’s best skill so far in her clinical experience is finding Katherine in the AT room. Overall, Penelope is having a pawesome time as well at Westminster Christian Academy. 

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 Benefits from Autonomy Provided by Preceptor at DeSmet Jesuit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - DeSmet Jesuit High School

By: Joey Wenzl (MAT Class of 2021)

This semester at De Smet high school has been unlike any of my previous clinical rotations. While there have been practices going on the entire semester, we were unsure exactly what they were practicing for, as games were not being allowed to happen in St. Louis County. This made the practices seem meaningless, but I enjoyed getting to practice my skills in a situation where I had to get them back to playing as soon as possible and could be a little more methodical in my evaluation and any potential rehabilitation. Although, with the no games scheduled, the coaches had practices that were less intense and as a result there weren’t many injuries for me to evaluate. 

Most of the beginning part of the days was spent taking temperatures as a safety precaution and as the semester progressed, there was an app that all students had to complete as well that we checked to make sure they were symptom free. Not exactly the most exciting thing to do, but since it was mandated by the county we decided that it would be best to do. We have progressed to just relying on the symptom check that the athletes do before school now to suffice for our own checks. 

Now that there are games, practices have picked up in intensity and there are more opportunities for me to continue my growth and improve on my skills. In addition to this, some of the players and coaches are starting to trust me more and are allowing me to do more than I had been doing. My preceptor, Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer and SLU alum Dan Herrin MAT, ATC provides supervision and helps me along if I get stuck, but the trust from the players is a confidence booster and having them come to me with their problems and allowing me the first look is something that has helped my growth tremendously. 

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 Great First Clinical Practicum Experience at Rockwood Summit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School 

By: Maddie Cavanaugh (SLU MAT Class of 2022)

I’ve had a great first clinical experience in the SLU AT Program.  Although different this year, clinicals are still providing great learning experiences across the board.  I have been able to learn from Tony Mosello, MAT, ATC, LAT, who works for Mercy Sports Medicine and is a graduate from the SLU AT Program.  He is the Athletic Trainer at Rockwood Summit High School, a middle sized public high school in St. Louis County.  It has been a great experience getting to learn protocols of working in a pandemic that could carry on to future experiences should we have to deal with a similar situation in the future.

Every day I am able to foster relationships with the athletes to create a trusting atmosphere that includes myself that has already been strongly established by Tony.  I help tape the athletes before practice and aid with modalities to help prepare for practices and games.  As I start to learn more about evaluations in class, I am able to complete more evaluations on the athletes and start to put pieces of the puzzle together to create a more solid foundation.  

It has been a great experience so far getting to learn so much in a short time in an immersion setting and I can’t wait to continue to gain experience throughout my clinical practicums.  

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 Builds Knowledge and Clinical Skills at Christian Brothers College HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School

By: Sydney Nash (MAT Class of 2022)

This semester I have been placed at Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School for my clinical site. During this clinical experience at CBC I am caring for soccer, football, and cross country. My preceptor Kristen Jeans, ATC, LMT works through Mercy Sports Medicine for CBC and has made this first clinical experience exciting and knowledgeable.

During this time of craziness with COVID-19 Kristen has helped guide me through all the unknowns that have come from the ever-changing ways of sports in the time of a pandemic. During this clinical experience I have learned a lot of new and exciting ways in taping patients and new ways to implement rehabilitation without having access to modalities or the athletic training room. 

Kristen has been a great in teaching me things to look for and things to ask when assessing a patient to be able to help them best. CBC has been an amazing experience so far with the welcoming staff and players. 

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 Focuses on Athlete Safety in Clinical Experience at Christian Brothers College HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School

By: Gabby Herod (MAT Class of 2021)

During this summer at Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School, Kristen Jeans ATC, LMT, from Mercy Sports Medicine, has again given me a unique experience.  During this COVID-19 pandemic, the typical athletic training experience was not possible.  But Kristen made sure that I saw the side of athletic training that isn’t shown on a typical day. 

Being the summer in St. Louis, it can get very hot and dangerous for athletes. I gained more experience in using a wet bulb and cold water tank and what it really means to make the right decision for the safety of everyone. Demonstrating interpersonal communication with the coaches, athletic director, and parents with this information is very important.

While at CBC, we also discussed COVID and what was needed for the sports teams to operate safely. Dealing with safety policies that will provide the best experience for everyone involved has been a challenge. The work that Kristen has shown me that is necessary to have everything in order hopefully run smoothly during the school year happens during this time. Administration is a part of this profession that should be greatly praised for everything that has to happen. 

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 Enjoys the Continuity of a Year-long Clinical Experience at Westminster Christian Academy

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy 
By: Alejandra Chavez (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

My time at Westminster Christian Academy has been great! It’s been awesome getting to be at the same clinical site for more than one semester because I have been able to spend more time with the same group of athletes. My time at WCA feels like it is flying by so quickly and it is hard to believe I have only a few more months left until I finish my last clinical rotation.

One of my favorite parts about being at WCA has been how kind and welcoming everyone has been from the beginning. The WCA family have truly made me feel like an integral part of the team. Being at the high school setting has provided me with many experiences that has pushed me to be more creative and take new approaches to the treatment of injuries because of the limited supplies and equipment compared to other settings, which is one of the primary reasons why I chose to be at this setting for my PY2 rotation. Although being at the high school setting can be chaotic at times, it has taught me many valuable skills that I know I will take with me as I begin my career as an athletic trainer.

Learning from Mercy Sports Medicine AT and SLU Alum Katherine Love ATC has been an amazing experience as well. She has taught me a lot and has helped me gain a lot more confidence in my skills. She’s encouraging, allows me to be very independent and is always open to answering any questions I have. I feel very lucky to have her as my preceptor and I value the relationship I have with her.

Overall, I am extremely thankful for the experience I have had at WCA. This experience has helped me to grow a lot personally and professionally and I am excited for what’s to come in the final few months I have at WCA.

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 Appreciates Preceptor's Support in Her Professional Development

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School
By: Emma Yonkers (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

I keep telling myself this is the home stretch and it feels bittersweet. I am lucky to be able to finish my college career at such a great clinical site like Rockwood Summit. Winter sports are winding down and there is a lull in the madness. It won’t last long, however. Spring sports are on the horizon, which means more long days, cold nights on the sidelines for soccer, and shivering, despite wearing what feels like a dozen layers, in the Gator watching baseball. I am really excited to wrap up my time here with so many wonderful experiences under my belt, knowing I gave it my best.

Winter sports were filled with some common conditions like sprained ankles, skin infections in wrestlers, and jammed fingers in basketball players. I have also had experience managing some less common conditions. The most interesting acute injury I have seen this season was a dislocated elbow. Seeing a gross deformity like that and understanding what needs to be done in that moment is a really good feeling. You know that athlete is scared and unsure of what is going to happen, so being the person who can take charge and help makes all the hard work and long nights worth it.

The independence and trust that I have earned at Summit have allowed me to understand how to navigate my transition to practice. Knowing that soon, I will be able to remove the “student” title from my name and be able to say I am an athletic trainer is the best feeling ever. Balancing schoolwork, clinical, and studying for the board exam has proven difficult but not impossible. I am grateful to have an awesome preceptor, SLU alum and Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Tony Mosello MAT, ATC, who supports my learning and respects my time so I can manage everything and still take care of myself. His mentorship has made me excited for what is coming next, but is also a good reminder to live in the moment and focus on using what I know to continue improving.

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 Values Support from Preceptor and Community at Rockwood Summit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School
By: Emma Yonkers (MAT Class of 2020)

So far, PY2 year has been a very challenging and rewarding experience. Having a year of clinical experience, as well as my summer field experience, has been proven invaluable to how I’ve approached this year. In only a month, Rockwood Summit High School has already helped me grow and learn so much. My preceptor from Mercy Sports Medicine, Tony Mosello, ATC, is a graduate of the SLU Athletic Training Program and he has been in my shoes. He knows the caliber of the program and what he got out of it, which has helped foster a trusting professional relationship.

Everyone at Summit is incredibly kind and welcoming so it was easy to feel like I was meant to be there right off the bat. The athletes, coaches, parents, and everyone in between trust Tony. It is really cool to see the community he has built in the athletic training room in just four years at Summit. Having a role model like that as a preceptor motivates me to be the best I can be.

With the clinical experience I have thus far, I have become much more confident in my knowledge and my ability to apply it to the everyday routine. This confidence has made it easier for me to step out of my comfort zone because I know I am capable of learning something new every day. The fact that I will be at Summit for the whole year is really exciting because the environment is so welcoming and I can really be myself, which will help my figure out the kind of AT I want to be in the future. Getting to know the athletes in their fall sport and I’ll be there to help if they play a spring sport is rewarding in itself.

I like the high school environment because to get to see the athletes grow as people and figure out who they are. I am really excited to see what this year brings.

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 Appreciates Preceptor's Role in Clinical Experience at Westminster Christian Academy

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy
By: Alejandra Chavez (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

For my PY2 clinical rotation, I am at Westminster Christian Academy. I have been enjoying my time a lot at WCA and have enjoyed learning from my preceptor and SLU alum Katherine Love MAT, ATC, from Mercy Sports Medicine. Katherine and everyone at WCA have been very welcoming and have made me feel like a very valuable member of the team. Getting to know and be around the athletes has also been a lot of fun. I am happy to be back at the high school setting for my final clinical rotation.

I am surprised as to how much I have grown to like being at the high school setting. Prior to entering the professional phase of the program, I was not too sure I was going to like being in this type of setting, but I have had great experiences that have made me really enjoy being in this environment. Although it can be chaotic at times, it is a fun environment because every day is a different day and you never really know what to expect. Since the beginning of my clinical rotation at WCA, I have had so much hands-on experience and I have grown a lot more confidence in my clinical skills because of how much I have been able to practice them on a daily basis. Every day at WCA is a busy day full of opportunities to grow as an athletic training student.

My preceptor Katherine always makes sure I am very involved and is continuously providing me with opportunities to learn and practice my skills. I appreciate her trust in my clinical skills and how encouraging she is. I am excited to continue learning from Katherine and from my experience at WCA and I look forward to the rest of my year here.

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 Appreciates Preceptor's Role in Immersive Clinical Learning Experience at St. Louis Scott Gallagher

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - St. Louis Scott Gallagher

By: Becca McGrail (MAT Class of 2020)

For my summer field experience I had the opportunity to assist my preceptor, Emily Costabile MAT, ATC (SLU MAT Class of 2015) from Mercy Sports Medicine, with preventative care and rehabilitation of the athletes at St. Louis Scott Gallagher. During my time caring for these athletes, I was exposed to various new learning opportunities that have made me more confident in my abilities. Emily has taught me a lot about different ways to perform manual techniques and how to implement rehabilitation programs with this unique athlete population. Since the SGSL has such a large athlete population ranging from young kids to high school seniors, I have learned to adapt my communication skills in order to best explain to my athletes what their injury entails and how to best treat it in a way that they will understand.

I could not be more appreciative to Emily for allowing me to practice my evaluations skills, improve my techniques and develop rehabilitation programs on my own in order for me to become the best future Athletic Trainer that I can be. She has created a positive learning environment that encouraged me to consider and work through different situations that I may face again on my own in the future. 

I have really enjoyed getting to work with soccer especially because that is what I aspire to do in my future career. I cannot wait to apply everything I have learned this summer at my next clinical site in a few weeks!

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 Returns to Clinical Site with Improved Confidence at Christian Brothers College HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School
By: Abigail Hoffman (MAT Class of 2020)

I’ve enjoyed my experience at Christian Brothers College High School (aka CBC) so far this summer. It is nice to be back and be able to work on my skills here again. I know how everything works and who everyone is, so it was an easy transition. I am excited to see how much my skills have improved from being here in the Fall to being here now. I can confidently do things I was not comfortable doing before. 

When I was here during the fall semester, it took me a while to warm up and become comfortable practicing new skills. Now since I have been able to practice what I learn in class for an entire year, I have confidence to go ahead and tape athletes without needing to consult with Kristen Jeans, ATC, LMT, my preceptor from Mercy Sports Medicine, as well as do evaluations on athletes. Evaluations are something I never felt comfortable doing during my first rotation here at CBC, so I’m proud of myself for being able to throw myself into evaluations since I’ve started my summer field experience.

I look forward to improving my skills this summer. CBC football is a good place for me to keep doing evaluations because injuries happen often and since my preceptor is a licensed massage therapist, she is teaching me some of her techniques for treating athletes with neural tension. Kristen teaches me things that I feel I would only learn from being in the field practicing. That is why I have always appreciated my time here at CBC because it is a valuable learning experience.

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 Appreciates Support from Preceptor and School Community at Parkway Central HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Parkway Central High School
By: Christopher Mecherle (MAT Class of 2019) 

Parkway Central High School has been a valuable experience on my path to becoming a certified athletic trainer. I’m certain once I’m out and working after college that I will look fondly on the skills that I have forged and refined during the last two semesters. My preceptor and SLU alum Michael Aaron, MAT, ATC, from Mercy Sports Medicine, is very enthusiastic about having an athletic training student. He always considers when and where there may be a learning opportunity to take advantage of, and for that, I am grateful.

For the most part, I feel comfortable in the athletic training setting. Performing evaluations, treatment, rehab, and first-aid definitely feels more natural than it did a year ago. So in my perspective, this semester has been more about discovering how I want my athletic training identity to take shape. It’s made me think about how I can be a transformational force in whatever setting I choose to be in. I often tend to question more about how I carry myself and if I project a fitting aura of professionalism. All in all, my skills are getting to be more second nature, and now it’s my persona that needs fine-tuning.

Parkway Central staff and athletes have been appreciative and accommodating of me, and I cannot thank them enough for their support. I look forward to finishing out the year with the Colts!

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.