SLU AT Program Advisory Board Plays an Important Role in Strategic Planning

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

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

2017-2018 SLU AT Program Advisory Board

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SLU AT Student Builds Clinical Skills and Cultural Competence Internationally at Athlone Institute of Technology

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Athlone Institute of Technology - Ireland
By: Maxwell Alander (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

The draw to spend our summer in Ireland at Athlone Institute of Technology may seem obvious. Being able to work with novel sports such as Gaelic football and hurling while learning new methods adopted by other parts of the world was hardly what any of us imagined before this opportunity presented itself. Our preceptor, Dr. Siobhan O’Connor did a wonderful job facilitating our experience by including not only clinical placements but also providing guest lectures on topics that are relevant to the profession. 

Time at our clinical site was spent between AIT athletics, county level Gaelic football and hurling, and researching fundamental movement skills in adolescents. Throughout these clinical experiences we were given all the freedom we wanted in the evaluation and treatment of athletes, often practicing new techniques on uninvolved limbs while athletic trainers within the program at AIT performed treatments on the injured extremity. Needless to say we were busy. 

Despite all of the time spent working on practical skills, we all agree that our biggest take away was from the cultural experiences in athletic training and healthcare as a whole. Operating in a rural country with a much different healthcare infrastructure has created a need for accessible healthcare professionals. Working in this environment truly helped develop the bond between patient and professional, something we all hope to bring to our athletes back home. 

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have a required 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 Program Advisory Board Conducts Fall Meeting

On November 20, 2013, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program Advisory Board met at Cafe' Ventana near the SLU Frost Campus.  This group provides essential community feedback regarding the program and is invaluable in program planning and improvement.  The program is very fortunate to have such a wealth of expertise available in the St. Louis region.

Anthony Breitbach, Julie Davitz and Laura O'Connor

Randy Craig, Tim Howell and Jennifer Baine

Tyler Wadsworth, Bridget Quirk, Mark Reinking and Mike Markee

Laura O'Connor and Kitty Newsham

Matt Bayes and Paul Nativi

2013-14 SLU AT Program Advisory Board Members

Jason Bennett PhD, PT, SCS, ATC
Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy

Jonathan Burch ATC
Saint Louis University Department of Athletics

Randy Craig PT, ATC, MS
PRORehab Physical, Sports and Occupational Therapy

Julie Davitz PT, ATC, MHS
Rehab 1 Network

Matt Bayes, MD
Blue Tail Medical Group

Scott Kaar MD
Saint Louis University Orthopedics

Rick Larsen MS, ATC
Washington University in St. Louis Department of Athletics

Aaron McBride MPT, ATC
PRORehab Physical, Sports and Occupational Therapy

Paul Nativi DMD
Saint Louis University and part time private practice

Laura O'Connor MPT, ATC, CSCS
PRORehab Physical, Sports and Occupational Therapy

Fred Shinn MS, PT
Monroe County Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine

Tyler Wadsworth MD
Saint Louis University and Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine