SLU AT Student Experiences Patient-Centered Care Both In the Clinic and On the Sideline at Athletico

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Athletico

By: Wyatt Whitegoat (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

When it came to finding a summer field experience I knew that I wanted an opportunity that emphasized on two aspects I enjoy: injury evaluation and rehabilitation. At Athletico, my preceptors, Mathew Peterson, ATC, and Courtney Martin, DPT, made the opportunity available to me. My experience at Athletico varies throughout the week; some days I am on the sideline with Mathew assessing and taping football injuries and on other days I am in the clinic with Courtney observing and assisting a diverse group of patients with rehab exercises. Mathew and Courtney’s willingness to instruct and apply various techniques for preventing, assessing, and rehabilitating injuries has been phenomenon and a great component to my learning experience.

Throughout my summer field experience, I gained a lot of confidence and exposure of lectured-based components to a clinical setting, especially with evaluation skills. Both Mathew and Courtney are hands-on, well-rounded, and interactive preceptors that made the exploration of assessment and treatment a remarkable experience. Through observation, discussion, and application of assessments, I have adopted and incorporated numerous skills that I will use as a future clinician.

Moreover, through observation and their interaction with patients, Mathew and Courtney displayed the importance of patient-centered care. It was remarkable to witness the level of dedication and passion that Mathew and Courtney established with their patient because it made the environment informative, inspiring, and meaningful for both me and the patient. 

At Athletico, I learned a vast amount of knowledge and inspiration that I hope to carry forward in my educational career and as a future athletic trainer. I am very grateful for the experience I gained from two incredible preceptors and a diverse patient population. 

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 Receive Degrees at 2017 Graduation Ceremonies

The Saint Louis University Master of Athletic Training Class of 2017 graduates were recognized on Friday, May 19, 2017 in the Doisy College of Health Sciences Pre-Commencement Ceremony at Chaifetz Arena.

Congratulations to the 2017 Master of Athletic Training degree recipients:

Maxwell W.H. Alander
Brandi Michele Burgett
Bailey L. Draheim
Ali Nicole Graham
Sarah Marie Haenchen
Madeleine Irene Hauck
Morgan Jay Jasperson 
Brianna Christine LaBarbera
Katherine Elizabeth Love
Amelia Rae Meigs
Collin Edward Peterson
Olivia Rose Robinson
Stephanie Amber Ross
Daniel Richard Smith
Stephanie Anne Uhrich

Students from the SLU MAT Class of 2018 in the 3+2 MAT program also received Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degrees.

Degrees were officially conferred at the SLU University Commencement on Saturday, May 20 2017 at Chaifetz Arena.

SLU AT Program Honors Graduating Students with Awards at MAT Capstone Day

The Saint Louis University Master of Athletic Training Class of 2017 presented their Capstone Projects on May 5, 2017 in the Multipurpose Room of the Allied Health Building on the South (Medical Center) Campus.

In addition to the presentations, the SLU AT Program honored preceptors and handed out the following program awards:  Clinical Excellence, Professional Service and Community Service.  An additional award, Academic Excellence, will be awarded after spring grades are posted.

Stephanie Uhrich and Bailey Draheim were honored with 2017 Clinical Excellence Awards.

Sarah Haenchen and Collin Peterson were honored with 2017 Professional Service awards.

Amelia Meigs was honored with the 2017 Community Service Award.

Congratulations to these award winner and all of the oustanding students in the MAT Class of 2017!

SLU AT Student Appreciates Experience with Preceptor at Westminster Christian Academy

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy

By: Collin Peterson (MAT Class of 2017)

My experience at Westminster Christian Academy has given me the valuable insight and experience of what working in the high school setting looks like. My preceptor, Hilary Orf MAT, ATC, has taught me the preparation and energy needed to balance the health care coverage for multiple teams. Covering soccer, baseball, track, lacrosse, and volleyball teams this spring has taught me how to prioritize responsibilities and account for injury risk. Everyday I get the chance to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of athletes with a wide array of musculoskeletal conditions.

As someone who wants to work in the high school setting after graduation, learning from a recent graduate who works in my desired setting has prepared me well for the challenges ahead of me when I enter the professional athletic training world.

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 Collaborate with 2nd Year Medical Students for a Sports Medicine Skills Workshop

Sports Medicine Night with SLU Medical Students
By: Sarah Haenchen (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society hosted a sports medicine night with SLU first and second year medical students in the sports medicine interest group. SLATS PY2 students lead the concussion, taping and spine boarding sessions. PY1s and pre-professional students participated in the event by being models for the med students to practice the newly learned skills.

Interprofessional collaboration is an important aspect in our education. Applying our knowledge and teaching the medical students helps with creating better communication and patient outcomes. This session not only taught medical students what athletic trainers do, but the athletic training students learned how physicians can help especially if they are on the sidelines.

It was really interesting to hear the different backgrounds of some of the medical students of why they want to become physicians. Most of them were athletes too, which is why they joined the sports medicine interest group. While we provide sports medicine care, we are also trained in emergency care. A few of the medical students were EMTs and knew about spine boarding. This shows that athletic trainers may work with a variety of healthcare professionals. The better knowledge and collaboration between healthcare professionals sets up better patient outcomes.

SLATS PY2 group leaders were Danny Smith and Brandi Burgett for taping, Amelia Meigs, Collin Peterson and Sarah Haenchen for spine boarding, and Olivia Robinson and Stephanie Ross for the concussion session. Alex Hubbs and Pat O’Neill were the PY1 students and Cat Chua and Erin Fabbri were pre-professional students who helped out.

Saint Louis University Tips Off National AT Month at Chaifetz Arena

Saint Louis University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletic Training Program joined forces to celebrate the start of National Athletic Training Month on March 1, 2017 in conjunction with a Billikens Men's Basketball victory vs the LaSalle Explorers at Chaifetz Arena.

Dr. Breitbach takes a pic with the SLU students who made this event a success.

There were many activities held that night to celebrate the event.  SLU's 13 Certified Athletic Trainers were recognized in a pregame announcement and presentation on the Chaifetz Arena video boards.

SLATS booth to promote the AT profession on the arena concourse.

The members of the SLU Athletic Training Society (SLATS) had an infomational booth on the arena concourse to promote #NATM2017.  They also had a Photo Booth to commemorate the event.

SLU President Dr. Fred Pestello joined in on the fun!

Additionally, the students in the Roosevelt High School Athletic Training Club also attended the event.  The RHS AT Club is sponsored for the 3rd straight year by the SLU AT Program through a grant from the National Athletic Trainers' Association Ethnic Diversity Advisory Council.  

RHS AT Club on the Chaifetz Arena court prior to the game.

The club utilizes SLU AT students to mentor and teach RHS students about AT and the health professions.

SLU staff member Petra Knight ATC takes time to talk to the RHS AT Club.

Thank you to all of the students, staff, faculty and administration that made this evening a great success!

SLU AT Student Reflects on her Experience at the 2017 NATA iLead Student Leadership Conference

2017 National Athletic Trainers' Association iLead Student Leadership Conference
By: Amelia Meigs (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

In February 2017, I had the privilege to attend the NATA iLead Student Leadership Conference for student leadership in athletic training with two other students from Saint Louis University: Stephanie Ross and Collin Peterson. If the 10 pages of notes doesn’t demonstrate the value of the NATA iLead conference, then surely the many connections made during the weekend does. The value of meeting students from different athletic training programs cannot be understated—learning how other schools educate and promote the growth of students can teach us about the variety of experiences an athletic training education can provide. I met two students from my home state of Washington—something I didn’t expect when heading down to Dallas, TX. I was also privileged enough to meet students from Missouri (my current home) but studying elsewhere.

The presentations at iLead were carefully crafted and chosen, and each held value to my leadership development. The presentation by Dr. Scott Bruce on ethics allowed me to build my skills discerning the appropriate response to difficult situations I may face in my career. I learned how my upholding of the NATA ethical standards will demonstrate to my colleagues, superiors, and community the high level of ethics athletic trainers are held to and advance the profession. The standardized patient experience, while already a part of my athletic training education program, reinforced the integration of classroom skills into practical situations, and left me knowledgeable about the skills required to be an outstanding athletic trainer.

Dr. Malissa Martin presented on post-professional programs, and allowed me to begin crafting not only a vision for my future, but a method to get there. The presentation by EDAC representatives Murphy Grant, Dr. Marnie Vanden Noven, Dr. Dani Moffit, and Dr. Kysha Harriell allowed me to build practical knowledge and skills about cultural competence and its effect on athletic training. The networking presentation by President Scott Sailor left me with practical skills to build my network and the confidence to begin. Throughout the conference, education I already had was reinforced and improved by practical applications directly to my career.

I was extremely privileged to be sponsored by the Missouri Athletic Trainer’s Association to attend iLead. The weekend taught me the importance of athletic trainers and how to articulate my value. I came back with practical skills and knowledge that I will apply to my career before and upon graduating this May. I am so appreciative of the lessons taught and path paved for me by the current leaders of the NATA and state associations. This experience was one we as students will never forget.

SLU Students Inducted into National AT Honor Society During Annual Speakers Series Event

6th Annual SLU Athletic Training Speakers Series and Recognition Ceremony

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program hosted its 6th Annual Speaker Series and Recognition Ceremony on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Huh Auditorium at the Center for Global Citizenship. 

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 2017 initiation ceremony for the SLU Alpha Iota Chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the National Athletic Training Honor Society.

Alpha Iota Chapter - Iota Tau Alpha

2017 Honorees

Undergraduate

Grant A. Hollander

Abigail E. Klosterman

Allison R. Stefan

Caitlyn E. Thomas 

Graduate

Sarah Haenchen

Scholarship award winners Amelia Meigs, Collin Peterson, Caitlin Gibson and Stephanie Ross were also recognized. Dr. Mardell Wilson, Dean of the Doisy College of Health Sciences, made introductory remarks and welcomed attendees.

The keynote speaker for the event was Erik Swartz, Ph.D., ATC, FNATA, Professor and Chair in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire. 

The title of his presentation was:

Changing the Paradigm: Can Taking Football Helmets Off Reduce Head Injuries?

Dr. Swartz’s described Helmetless Tackling Training - or HuTT® Technique - which involves removing the helmets during controlled tackling drills in football practices and has been shown to decrease the number of head impacts in games and practice.

Following the keynote presentation, there was a panel discussion which included Dr. Swartz; along with Washington University Athletic Trainer/former St. Louis Rams Athletic Trainer Jim Anderson ATC; and Super Bowl Champion/former St. Louis Rams Center Andy McCollum.

It was truly a memorable event!

Student from Ireland Enjoys a Semester-Long Experience in Athletic Training at Saint Louis University

International Clinical Exchange - SLU and Athlone Institute of Technology

By: Robbie Cassidy (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy student - Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland)

I have been working and studying at St. Louis University for 14 weeks now and moving into my last week here I feel that I have got the experience I was looking for. Working with Westminster Christian Academy and the SLU women’s basketball team I have learned and practiced many new techniques. I found working with the high school introduced me to a variety of new sports and the reality of injuries associated with them. Hillary Orf MAT, ATC, my preceptor at the high school, has helped me in every aspect of my work experience and has been a pleasure to work with. With the constant flow of athletes in and out of the athletic training room I have been able to evaluate multiple injuries in a comfortable environment before discussing the possible diagnoses with my colleagues and determining the right course of action allowing me to develop my clinical examination skills. Every day I have learned from my co-workers and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Women's Basketball practice starts at 6:00 A.M. in the incredible Chaifetz Arena, so we would usually be in the athletic training room by 5:30 A.M. to begin setting up for practice and taping the players. After practice I work with some of the players on their rehab programs or continue treatment with them. On game-day we will set-up the therapy table just off-court and will sit courtside with the team. The atmosphere and build-up for games is exciting and with the team being ranked #1 in the A-10 conference has really added to the overall experience. In short, working with the women’s basketball team has been a new experience as I have never worked with an elite team of the same calibre before. Lizzy Kienstra MAT, ATC and Kara Cummins-Ludwig MS, ATC, my preceptors at SLU, provided much in the way of mentoring and advice and for this I am grateful. 

When I arrived at SLU I was welcomed by Anthony Breitbach PhD, ATC, the Athletic Training program director, who took the time to show me around the city of St. Louis and helped me to get settled in. Coming to St. Louis alone was a bit overwhelming at first but Dr Breitbach went out of his way to make my initial couple of weeks here as easy and as comfortable as possible. We have kept in good contact the entire time I have been here and he has helped me out on numerous occasions. I was placed in two PY2 classes at SLU where I have learned a significant amount about the treatment and maintenance of athletes under excellent professors (Dr. Kitty Newsham, Dr. Mike Markee and Dr. Tim Howell) who have been a great help in and out of the classroom. 

It has not only been the professors here at SLU who have helped me in my studies, as I have also received assistance from my fellow students who have acted as mentors. One such student Collin Peterson, introduced to me through Dr. Breitbach, has been my guide in handling the program and swiftly became a friend that I could rely on here. He has helped me to adapt to the new culture and has introduced me to the social life of St. Louis.

I have really enjoyed my time at Saint Louis University and hope to keep up the relationships with all the new friends I have made.

SLU AT Student Appreciates a Special Opportunity at the ASAHP Annual Meeting

Professional Development Experience at the ASAHP Conference in New Orleans

By: Collin Peterson (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

I recently had the privilege of attending the National Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) conference in New Orleans this October.  Thanks to the nomination and sponsorship from my Program Director, Dr. Anthony Breitbach, and the Dean of the Doisy College of Health Sciences, Dr. Mardell Wilson, I was selected as one of seven students from various health professions and universities to develop a plan and infrastructure to start a national ASAHP student organization.  I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity that the SLU Doisy College of Health Sciences has made possible. This experience has also helped shape my career path as a future athletic trainer.

It was extremely rewarding to be a part of such a select group of highly motivated students and to see the overwhelming support and enthusiasm the ASAHP Board of Directors gave us for our efforts developing the ASAHP Student Assembly.  As the only athletic training student in the group, I enjoyed seeing how my athletic training experiences go beyond the clinical site and have helped shaped my collaboration and problem solving abilities.  

In addition to working with my team, I moderated presentations that included great work on Interprofessional Education from SLU’s Dr. Leslie Hinyard, Eileen Toomey and Dr. Breitbach. I also listened to several inspirational speakers on the future of healthcare education and networked with accomplished professors and deans such as Dr. David Perrin and Dr. Chris Ingersoll, former editors of the Journal of Athletic Training.

Seeing all the great research being done and interacting with leaders in higher education so passionate about helping students, it reaffirmed my recent decision to pursue a Ph.D. so that I can contribute valuable research and impact students the way the SLU Athletic Training Program has impacted me. I want to reiterate my gratitude to the Doisy College of Health Sciences for giving me such an enlightening and influential opportunity that has helped shape my professional future as an athletic trainer.            

SLU AT Students Featured on Video Discussing Clinical Experiences

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program developed a video featuring students talking about their clinical experiences.  The SLU AT Program provides clinical education that takes students through an integrated developmental progression with dedicated preceptors. SLU also provides diverse and immersive experiences which contribute to the professional formation of our graduates.

We truly appreciate the participation of our fine clinical sites and outstanding preceptors!

The following students participated in the video:

• Madeleine Hauck (SLU MAT Class of 2017), Chicago, Illinois
• Alex Hubbs (SLU MAT Class of 2018), Liberty, Missouri
• Abby Klosterman (SLU MAT Class of 2018), St. Louis, Missouri 
• Amelia Meigs (SLU MAT Class of 2017), Issaquah, Washington 
• Collin Peterson (SLU MAT Class of 2017), Shadow Hills, California 

SLU AT Students and International Exchange Student Learn Together at Westminster Christian Academy

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Westminster Christian Academy
By: Robbie Cassidy (Exchange Student-AIT), Ryan Dale (SLU MAT Class of 2018), Colin Peterson (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

Westminster Christian Academy (WCA) has given us a comprehensive athletic training experience applying the different domains of athletic training with a variety of high school sports teams.  Additionally the mix of an international student from Athlone Insitute of Technology (AIT) in Ireland and SLU students from two different cohorts provides an especially rich learning environment.

Hilary Orf MAT, ATC (SLU MAT Class of 2013), the athletic trainer at WCA, works for Athletico and cares for all fall sports teams including football, softball, soccer, cross country, field hockey, volleyball, and swimming.  She has been an valuable resource teaching us not only a variety of clinical skills, but also how to provide the best treatment possible while maintaining the balance of covering multiple teams.

We have improved and learned new preventive taping techniques, as well as focus on the use of manual therapy in rehabilitating athletes with a variety of injuries.  This semester has been a great experience for gaining further insight into assessing on-field injuries, deciding when an athlete can return to play, and providing acute wound care. There have also been opportunities to learn how to apply various braces and splints.

Westminster Christian Academy is the perfect clinical site to learn what it means to work in the high school setting after graduating from our program at SLU.

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 Have a Fun and Successful Homecoming Weekend

Showing our Billiken Pride on Homecoming Weekend!

By: Jenna Ginsberg (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

On Saturday, September 24th, I was part of a group of SLU AT students, who also included Stephanie Ross, Collin Peterson and Olivia Robinson, provided athletic training services at the Cheryl Cavallo Hustle for your Health 5K. The Physical Therapy department organized the annual race as part of SLU’s Homecoming festivities. Along with Dr. Breitbach, the athletic training students contributed to this event by following the crowd of racers through the course on a golf cart, ready to pick up or care for anyone that may need assistance. 

We were also present at the finish line to hand out water and administer first aid as needed. The course led the participants all throughout SLU’s medical campus, and the sunny but mild morning was perfect race weather. This event also proved to be a great way for a potential SLU student to see what the Athletic Training program is all about, as she got to mingle with us and ask questions, as well as witness us applying our knowledge in a practical setting. 

After the race there was a pancake breakfast and an open house in the Allied Health Building.  The AT Program hosted our visitors in the Modalities Lab.

The Athletic Training program also took part in the Homecoming Float parade that afternoon. Freshman students Kacie Frost and Maddie Bozych stepped up to the task of decorating our cart, and the results turned out great. 

All in all, it was a very successful Homecoming weekend, and I enjoyed being part of it. 

New SLU AT Student Enjoys Variety of Experiences at the University Setting

New AT Student Blog Post - Michael Milek (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

I have been to multiple clinical sites this semester for observation hours. The clinical sites have been a combination of both colleges, including SLU and Harris-Stowe, and high schools including, Affton and Parkway South. Each site has been an amazing experience that has added to the flame of wanting to become a professional Athletic Trainer. However, the experiences that have stuck out to me were the ones when I was observing a college/university.

For my experiences at universities, I was able to observe Kara Cummins-Ludwig ATC and student Collin Peterson during one of women’s basketball game. I was able to watch as the players came into the training room to get their pre-game taping or any other type of pre-game work done. Once the athletes were prepared and the courtside was set up, we sat behind the bench while the game was going on. This was the highlight for me. I had never been courtside at a game and it made me feel like an official athletic trainer. It was a very good feeling. As for Harris-Stowe, I was able to observe their women’s softball team. I was able to talk to the preceptor, Tim Herlihy ATC, and just ask pretty much any question related to Athletic training. The other cool part was the fact that there was also a chiropractor on the scene with us. I had never really seen a chiropractor and an athletic trainer working together. I was able to chat with both the preceptor, Tim, and the chiropractor while the games were going on. It was interesting to see both of them working together and bouncing ideas off each other. The photo attached is of Tim, the preceptor at Harris-Stowe, and myself after the double header.

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.

Two SLU AT Students Honored with Scholarships by the MAATA

Saint Louis University Athletic Training Students Stephanie Ross and Collin Peterson (MAT Class of 2017) were honored as 2016 Professional Student Scholarship recipients by the Mid-America Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA Distict 5) at the MAATA Annual Meeting Honors and Awards Dinner on March 18, 2016 at the University Plaza Conference Center in Springfield, Missouri.

Collin and Stephanie with MAATA Preseident Rob Marshall ATC

Congratulations Stephanie and Collin!

SLU AT Students Experience Growth in a Busy Division I Setting with the Billikens

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics
By: Dave O’Loughlin (MAT Class of 2016) with Danny Smith, Bailey Draheim and Collin Peterson (MAT Class of 2017)

My time has been extensive at SLU, and I am thankful for it. Sometimes it gets frustrating always being busy while some of my classmates are free, but I view this as added time to learn and get experience. Through several hours at SLU, I have learned a great amount of material, gained a lot of confidence in decision making and clinician-patient communication, and learned to think outside the box and approach problems from different angles.

Just recently, we added three students in their first professional year - Danny Smith, Bailey Draheim and Collin Peterson. This has been a very positive experience for all of us, being that I now have the opportunity to pass on what I have learned, and have the capacity to lead other students following in my direction. For the PY1’s, they were “thrown into the fire” right away and forced to adapt on the fly and learn and work in a fast-paced environment. I think this aspect has helped them a lot in their clinical growth, as it directly correlates to the quick decision making and thinking on your feet required to be a good athletic trainer.

For my own sake, I have been learning a good deal about the business side of athletic training, i.e. billing, doctor referrals, hospital visits, scheduling, administration, etc. The PY1’s are getting a crash course of techniques to implement into the musculoskeletal assessments and rehabilitation.

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.