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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Sees Multiple Sides of the Profession Through a Variety of Experiences

New AT Student Blog Post - Rachel Wilhelm (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

Being a 3rd year undergraduate Athletic Training student, I am excited to be finishing up my pre-professional education so I can go on to the professional phase, do clinicals and take classes directly related to the job field. The excitement has been gradually building up over this last semester, due to our requirement of doing Directed Observation (DO) hours. In order to start acclimating into the mindset of being an Athletic Trainer, the 3rd years were all required to put in a certain number of hours joining the PY students at their clinical sites to do observation. I have completed hours at SLU club hockey, the MVC Basketball tournament, Webster Groves High School, Washington University, NCAA Bowling, NCAA Gymnastics, and John Burroughs School. 

Two of the sites that I believe I gained a lot from were the NCAA Gymnastics tournament and Washington University. I was able to experience the Gymnastics tournament with other DO students, PY students, and some certified Athletic Trainers. With high school gymnastics season being over and SLU not having a team, there weren’t many opportunities to observe the sport, so I was beyond excited to have this opportunity. Some of the certified ATs and PY students were even gymnasts in the past, so it was amazing to be able to get my questions answered by people who had direct experience with the sport. I was also able to observe the physicians and massage therapists that some teams brought with them. 

I went to do DO hours at Wash U with Jenna Ginsberg. She went out of her way to show me how everything there worked, from how to set the athletes up for stim to writing the reports for each athlete she interacted with. She also answered many of my questions regarding the curriculum in my upcoming PY years. It was a completely different experience from the NCAA Gymnastics tournament, so it was great to be able to see multiple sides of Athletic Training. I’m excited to see when it takes me in the future. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s to the future!

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

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Connects with the Profession at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships

New AT Student Blog Post - Emma Yonkers (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

The 2017 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, held at Chaifetz Arena on the Saint Louis University campus, was a really cool site because I got to observe how athletes from all over the country treat injuries and take care of themselves overall. I watched a lot of warm ups and stretching, as well as stim treatments and ultrasounds. A lot of the gymnasts also wrapped their own ankles and wrists or the athletic trainer from their school helped them. I got to see all the different ways different ATs tape which was really interesting because I didn’t know there were that many different ways and wonder about the different benefits of each way.

This site was a little different from the other sites I have been to because this one had athletic trainers from all over the country. During some of the down time I got to talk with a lot of the athletic trainers from around St. Louis and learn about what they do at different places they work at like hospitals, high schools, and universities of varying sizes.

A lot of them didn’t even know each other so it was cool to see them interact and talk about the different situations they encounter in different settings. For example, one of the visiting athletic trainers who works at a high school hadn’t worked with a stim machine since grad school because the high school she works at doesn’t have one. She does things differently from one of the athletic trainers from a visiting university, who uses a very sophisticated machine as well as a GPS system that tracks the activities of soccer players they work with. Neither of these settings seemed better than the other, they just did things in very different ways and were interested to see what their peers at different places do.

This semester as a DO student I have learned a lot more than I thought I would. I’ve discovered the answers to questions I didn’t even know I had and been able to continuously build on them as I go. I am really glad we get to explore different places and get a feel for what we like by seeing all the different ways situations are handled.

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 Faculty Members and Students Have a Fun and Busy Month of Basketball

The Athletic Training Program at Saint Louis University partners with the Missouri Valley Conference to coordinate medical coverage to the basketball tournaments they host in March each year.  This year, this not only included their conference tournaments in St. Louis and St. Charles, it also included the NCAA Men's Basketball 2nd and 3rd Rounds at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.  This provides a great learning opportunity for our students, where they get a chance to administer a large event with multiple stakeholders.  Additionally it provides our students with networking opportunities with numerous future colleagues in athletic training.

Faculty members Tim Howell and Kitty Newsham with AT students Jess Buschjost and Angelo Bongiorno at the NCAA 3rd Round games on March 23, 2014 at Scottrade Center.

AT students Cat Costello, Jess Buschjost and Angelo Bongiorno with faculty members Tim Howell and Mike Markee  at the NCAA 2nd Round games on March 21, 2014 at Scottrade Center.

AT students Blake Hudspeth and Michelle Cybulski courtside for MVC MBB Tournament at Scottrade Center.

AT students Tony Mosello and Jess Buschjost courtside for MVC MBB Tournament at Scottrade Center.

AT Program Director Tony Breitbach courtside with students Michael Aaron and Hilary Stepansky
for MVC WBB Tournament at Family Arena.

AT students Ju Kim, Mary Rhatigan, Jose Mendez and Michael Aaron on site
for MVC WBB Tournament at Family Arena

SLU AT Clinical Education Coordinator Offers Advice About Basketball and Good Health

March 19, 2014

Carrie Bebermeyer

314.977.8015

bebermcl@slu.edu

In the Spirit of March Madness, Seven Reasons to Shoot Hoops

SLU Expert Shares Lessons from the Billikens

Tim Howell, Ed.D., ATC, CSCS

After you agonize over your NCAA bracket and hand your $10 over to the office pool, take a moment to reflect on the intense exercise and athleticism displayed in every college basketball game. In fact, from pick-up games to the pros, basketball has the potential to offer a multitude of all-around health benefits.

As exercise goes, it doesn’t get much better than a fun team sport that requires no expensive equipment or major time commitments.

If you need more convincing, Tim Howell, Ed.D., ATC, CSCS, assistant professor of physical therapy and athletic training at Saint Louis University, home of the Billikens, offers seven more reasons.

Basketball is good for:

Your Heart. Basketball can help you develop cardiovascular endurance, depending on how many times play stops. Keep moving, and you’ll keep your heart rate up. Building endurance can help keep your heart healthy, reducing risks of heart disease and stroke down the line.

Your Muscles. Long range three point shots help develop both upper and lower body strength. So does jumping to block shots. Strong muscles help you maintain your balance and decrease your risk of falling.

Your Bones. Jumping is a great way to develop and improve bone health. Weight-bearing exercise helps maintain your bone density over the course of your lifetime. Stronger bones are bones that are less likely to break.

Playing a high-intensity basketball game can burn 700 or more calories an hour.

Your Brain. By developing eye-hand coordination, basketball builds spacial awareness. Your body will know where it is in space and time. Ever wonder why a cat always lands on its feet? Body awareness.

Your Gut. Reducing it, that is. Depending on the intensity at which you play, you can burn 700 or more calories an hour. Burn fat while having fun.

Your Social Life. Have fun. Socialize. Build teamwork. Strong relationships translate into good health. Social people are less likely to suffer from depression and also tend to have a stronger immune system. Exercising in a group also tends to lead to better continued participation because you don’t exercise alone. You will have a built-in support system.

Your Stress Levels. Played alone or in groups, basketball can reduce stress. Exercise is a proven stress-reliever. Decreasing your stress will help you focus and have more energy to complete tasks.

Long a leader in educating health professionals, Saint Louis University offered its first degree in an allied health profession in 1929. Today the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers degrees in physical therapy, athletic training education, clinical laboratory science, nutrition and dietetics, health informatics and information management, health sciences, medical imaging and radiation therapeutics, occupational science and occupational therapy, and physician assistant education. The college's unique curriculum prepares students to work with health professionals from all disciplines to ensure the best possible patient care.

SLU AT Program Wraps Up a Busy National Athletic Training Month

Faculty, staff and students of the Saint Louis University commemorated National Athletic Training Month in March 2012 with a variety of activities.

Under the guidance of Dr. Timothy Howell, the junior AT students in MAT 300: Athletic Training Professional Development made a promotional video and posters featuring the five domains of Athletic Training, the posters were displayed in the Allied Health Building on the SLU Medical Center Campus during National Athletic Training Month.

March 1, 2012: The program worked with the Brain Injury Association of Missouri to host the community education program Sports Concussions: Facts, Fallacies and New Frontiers in the Allied Health Building on the SLU Medical Center Campus.

March 1-4, 2012: SLU physicians, AT program faculty and students provided medical coverage for “Arch Madness”, the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis, MO.

March 7-11, 2012: Coverage for the Missouri Valley Conference continued with the Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Family Arena in St. Charles, MO.

March, 16-17, 2012: Faculty members Dr. Kitty Newsham and Dr. Anthony Breitbach made presentations at the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting and Symposium in Topeka, KS.  That same weekend Dr. Newsham also presented at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Winter Meeting in Chicago, IL.  Over the same weekend, Dr. Jason Bennett, SLU physicians and several AT student also volunteered as medical staff for the NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO.

March 20, 2012: Saint Louis University’s Alpha Iota Chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the National Athletic Training Academic Honor Society, inducted its newest members in a ceremony in the Allied Health Building on the SLU Medical Center Campus.

March 22-25, 2012: The SLU AT program provided medical coverage for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Championships at the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, MO, which was hosted by Saint Louis University.

March 24, 2012:  Students of the SLU AT program worked together with lululemon athletic Plaza Frontenac to host LOUTOPiA in the Allied Health Building on the Medical Center Campus. LOUTOPiA provided opportunities for people in the St. Louis community to learn and participate in a wide array of fitness/wellness activities.

March 26, 2012:  Faculty and students of the SLU AT program went on a field trip to visit the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Rams practice facilities in suburban St. Louis, MO. The athletic trainers for each addressed our students and gave them an interesting look into sports medicine in professional sports.

AT Student Featured in "Day in the Life" on SLU Newslink

April 07, 2010

Carrie Bebermeyer

314.977.8015
bebermcl@slu.edu

March Madness is Over But Memories Remain

A Day in the Life of an Athletic Training Education Student

Recently, on March 28,  SLU athletic training education students worked at the NCAA Midwest Regional, assisting SLUCare doctors and athletic trainers who were on hand to provide health care to players and officials at the games. It was the culmination of a busy month, as SLU faculty and students helped provide care for three basketball tournaments in addition to their regular duties at SLU and promoted the profession across campus and at their clinical practicum sites for National Athletic Training Month.

Kelly Black practices in class. Photo by Chad Williams

Kellie Black, who will graduate in May with a master's degree in athletic training, writes about one of her most memorable days as an athletic training education student:

Arriving at the Dome
When I arrived at the Edward Jones Dome security was tight. I showed my photo ID at the media entrance, and then Tony Breitbach, director of the athletic training education program, picked me up on a gator. I hopped on next to an injured player from Michigan State, who I recognized from TV, who said hi.
After taking the player to his team, we went on to the athletic training room where we made sure everything was set up. Next, it was time to get the officials ready, with taping treatments before the game started.


Working the Game
During the game, I sat with SLUCare sports medicine docs, Scott Kaar and Will Mitchell, and dentist Paul Nativi, along with Mark Reinking, who is dual credentialed both as an athletic trainer and a physical therapist and is chair of SLU's department of physical therapy and athletic training. One of the great things about our program is the chance to work side-by-side with so many of SLU's professionals in the field.

Faculty and students at the NCAA Midwest Regional.

As a part of our first response plan, I was charged with the glamorous job of cleaning blood off the floor, if needed. There wasn't any blood during this game, but we had gloves, towels, disinfectant on hand just in case. At half-time, surprisingly, it's already time to start taking everything down so we headed to the locker rooms to take down some of the equipment, like the stationary bikes players use to warm up. It was a good game, with no injuries, and, the best part was watching it from courtside seats.


Impressions
It was definitely bigger than an every day game, with the crowd and cameras. But I did realize, when it comes to working with injured players, it's the same job no matter how big the game. Though I might get butterflies before a big game, I know how to do this job!


I will admit, though, that it was pretty exciting to be at the game. My parents saw me on TV and I bumped into Magic Johnson in the hallway on his way to visit Michigan State players in their locker room.


The Future
I'm graduating in May with my masters. Thanks to connections I've made from working events throughout my time at SLU, I know about some job openings around the country.

Instructor Jason Bennett teaches an assessment test.

I played soccer, volleyball and basketball in high school. I was an exercise science major at SLU, and I knew I liked sports and I wanted to work in health care. I met Tony, worked a few events and really I liked the fast paced, unique setting. I fell in love with athletic training. I'd tell other students - undergrads or students thinking about an advanced degree - that it's a great field to be in.

Graduates find jobs, not only with school and professional sports teams, but also in places like the military and performing arts.
It's always busy, it's different every day and nothing is ever the same. It's a really cool way to earn a living.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists athletic training among the top 10 jobs expected to grow over the next 10 years. SLU has one of only 20 entry-level masters programs in athletic training education in the country.

NCAA Midwest Regional Final

The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 70-69 to win the Midwest Regional and go on to the Final Four in Indianapolis.  Congrats to Michigan State Athletic Trainer Tom Mackowiak on a successful tournament!  We also enjoyed working with Vince O'Brien (Ohio State), Don Bishop (Northern Iowa) and Chad Newman (Tennessee).

 The MSU fans (on left) and UT fans (on right) created a raucous atmosphere at the finals.

The Athletic Training Staff for the Finals....Mark Reinking, Kellie Black and Tony Breitbach.

NCAA Midwest Regional Day Two

The Edward Jones Dome was filled with a sea of purple on Friday, March 26th.  There were two great games!

The University of Tennessee edged Ohio State in game one and Michigan State defeated tournament cinderella Northern Iowa in game two.

It was a great experience for our medical team including physicians, athletic training faculty and students.

SLU Medical Team at the Regional semi-final (from left): Eric Sass, Dr. Will Mitchell, Heather King, Dr. Scott Kaar, Ilene Chambers, Dr. Paul Nativi, Jason Bennett, Tony Breitbach (not pictured Kitty Newsham)

NCAA Midwest Regional Day One

The 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional is being held at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and we serve as the medical staff.

The Regional kicked off today with the public practices. 

Here are a few behind the scenes photos:

View from behind the large grandstand that was erected where the football field normally sits.

The court sits in the football end-zone.

Our seats for the games.

Big place!

Northern Iowa practicing.

Ilene Chambers, Eric Sass and Heather King at the Michigan State practice.

Program Director Quoted in St. Louis Newspaper Regarding Sickle Cell Trait Testing

Message goes out on sickle cell trait
By Stu Durando
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009

The NCAA is recommending that all member schools conduct the same screening for sickle cell trait that Missouri recently said it was putting into effect.

The recommendation released Monday was the result of a lawsuit resolved between the NCAA and the family of Dale Lloyd II, a former Rice football player who died in 2006 following a practice. Lloyd carried the sickle cell trait, which was ruled to have contributed to his death.

Missouri announced this month a plan to test its athletes. In 2005, Mizzou football player Aaron O'Neal died of viral meningitis, according to the Boone County medical examiner. However, other experts said sickle cell trait played a role.

Approximately two-thirds of NCAA Division I schools already conduct the test. An estimated one in 12 African-Americans carry the trait, according to the American Sickle Cell Anemia Association.

"This is something that has to be not only on the athletic trainer's radar, but on the administration's and coach's radar,'' said Tony Breitbach, director of the athletic training education program at St. Louis University."We need to educate coaches on the symptoms and that they can kill. We have to allow athletes, without repercussion, to step out of an activity instead of feeling like they have to finish. When someone has been identified and becomes symptomatic, what looks like a lack of conditioning could be the beginning of a process that could cause their death.

''SLU does not routinely test, although an official said athletes are handled on a case-by-case basis. Illinois athletes have been tested for many years.Missouri agreed in March to pay O'Neal's parents $2 million. The family's lawsuit included claims that medical personnel were not familiar with symptoms related to exercise and the sickle cell trait.

The Associated Press reported recently that court depositions revealed medical officials at the voluntary workout where O'Neal died had little knowledge of warnings that signal a problem.
Missouri announced its plan to conduct tests before the NCAA made its recommendation. Tests in Columbia will be done even if someone claims to know of the trait's existence, according to athletic department spokesman Chad Moller."

It was decided collectively by our physicians and head (athletic) trainer that as part of our annual physicals — they're going to make this part of it automatically,'' he said. "Previously, our kids were given an option of being tested. Now it is going to be part of our regular process."

Breitbach said it is likely that all NCAA schools will follow the recommendation because any further deaths related to sickle cell trait "will show negligence on your school's part.''

The National Athletic Trainers Association released a consensus statement regarding sickle cell trait in 2007, noting its role as the third-leading, non-traumatic cause of sports deaths in high school and college athletes.

The organization recommended at the time that colleges test athletes. The statement said that of 13 college football deaths related to the condition, nearly all occurred at schools "that did not screen for sickle cell trait or had a lapse in precautions for it.''

NATA referred to the condition as the least understood of the four most common non-traumatic causes of death.

"It's treated differently than heat stroke,'' Breitbach said. "Sometimes when someone has a sickle cell episode, all they're thinking of is cooling the person. The best treatment is to keep the person hydrated and really watch their symptoms and get them out of activity.

''As part of its resolution with Lloyd's family, the NCAA agreed to donate $50,000 to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and produce an educational video that will be available on the NCAA website and to all schools.

The family of Ereck Plancher has a lawsuit pending against the University of Central Florida following his sickle cell-related death after a football practice in March 2008.

Women's Final Four in St. Louis a Great Experience!

On Tuesday April 7, 2009, the NCAA women's basketball season came to a conclusion at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Congratulations to the University of Connecticut Huskies as they finished an undefeated season by beating the Louisville Cardinals.

Our staff and students had a great time serving as the medical staff for the event!

Check out a short "behind the scenes" video on YouTube.

Medical team picture before the final:
FRONT ROW - Heather King, Ilene Chambers, Kellie Black and Darcy Downey
BACK ROW - Eric Sass, Dr. Tony Breitbach, Dr. Matt Matava, Dr. Paul Nativi

Field Set for 2009 Women's Final Four!

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Education Program serves as the host athletic trainers for the 2009 Women's Final Four in St. Louis. We are very excited about this opportunity! Congratulations to the participating teams....the University of Connecticut Huskies, the University of Oklahoma Sooners, the Stanford University Cardinal and the University of Louisville Cardinals. The weekend begins with open practices on Saturday, April 4th. Semifinal games on Sunday April 5th at 6:00 pm and the NCAA Championship Game at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 7th.

Not only are the games in St. Louis, but there are many exciting fan activities!

Go to the official 2009 NCAA Women's Final Four website!