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 Pre-professional AT Student Appreciates Preceptor's Relationship with Student-Athletes at SIU-Edwardsville

New AT Student Blog Post - Margaret Rowell (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

Most college students spend their time studying for exams, writing papers, and preparing presentations. This semester, our athletic training class was given the chance to observe a variety of certified athletic trainers throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. The settings included nearby universities, professional sports teams, and high schools. As I am approaching the graduate school portion of SLU’s Athletic Training program, I was excited to learn from other SLU graduate students at their clinical sites. After observing for over 75 hours at different clinical sites, I enjoyed observing the athletic trainers at the university level most. I noticed that athletic trainers at universities interacted with one specific team and got to know each individual athlete on a personal level. One of the universities I enjoyed observing was SIUE. 

I observed Stephanie Ross, SLU MAT Class of 2017, at her clinical setting with SIUE softball. Her preceptor, James Mays MS, ATC, is one of the current certified athletic trainers working with SIUE Athletics. I really enjoyed the atmosphere while observing Stephanie and James interact with the Women’s Softball team. The team respected both Stephanie and James and came into the athletic training room with good spirits.

James was very close with all of his athletes and got to know each and every player. I noticed that he didn’t have to ask what tape jobs some players needed or where they needed ice. He had gotten to know each and every player and knew where each player was experiencing her injury. On top of that, James also asked players about topics outside of sports, such as their social life and academics. For example, he specifically reached out to an athlete to ask how their statistics exam went. This shows that James gets to know each and every player on a personal level, rather than just treating each athlete as a patient. Stephanie also got to know each of the athletes on a personal level. I enjoyed observing how athletic trainers are able to interact with the athletes on a personal level, while still providing quality care. I learned that creating a relaxed and open environment is key to being an athletic trainer. This ensures the athletic trainer understands the athlete as a whole. This is just one of the qualities to being an Athletic Trainer I was able to learn from experience in the clinical field, rather than from a book or class lecture.

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 Student Experiences Unique Clinic Model with Athletic Trainers at Mercy Sports Medicine

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Mercy Sports Medicine Clinic

By: Stephanie Ross (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

During the month of February I had the opportunity to do my mini rotation at the Mercy Clinic and was very impressed with how they did things. I got the chance to talk with Dustin Jamboretz, MAT, ATC (SLU MAT Class of 2016), and see how he likes things there. There are primarily athletic trainers who work in that clinic, which is very cool. As I was talking with them over their lunch break, I learned that they think about the whole body and not just the injured body part like many clinics do. I think it is great that they work with one patient each at a time for 45 minutes instead of trying to work with two or more patients at a time. I was also introduced to the DMS machine, which every patient loves. DMS stands for Deep Muscle Stimulator. This machine, as it was described to me, feels like a concentrated massage in one area. They let me try using it on a real patient after watching them use it twice. The athletic trainers are also very open to having the student provide input in how to get the patient to perform an exercise properly or different ways to give cues to the patient. After you see the athletic trainers teach the patient how to perform different exercises they include you in the patient's rehabilitation by having the student explain how to do the exercise.

The athletic trainers not only include you in performing the patients exercise but they ask you questions and make sure you noticed what they saw if the patient was compensating. For example, I had the opportunity to create the exercises for a patient for their therapy session along with making changes to those exercises in order to make it easier for the patient. In addition, I had the chance to break up one end goal exercise into multiple exercises to get the patient to perform the exercise properly. I thought this was a great experience and I love that they realize that students who are with them are there to learn and practice hands on things. The Mercy clinic is a great experience because they do not just have you sit and watch what they do, like we did junior year with our observation hours, but they engage you in the patient's session.

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!

Faculty and Students Utilize a "Crash Reel" to Help Students in the SLU Health Sciences Learning Community Learn about Athletic Training

TV shows often feature "Crash Reels" to highlight dangerous situations or high profile injuries.  The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program utilized that format to help First Year Students in SLU's Health Sciences Learning Community.

This "Crash Reel Night", held on Monday, November 14, 2016 at the Reinert Residence Hall, was a great success!

Athletic Training students Sarah Haenchen, Amelia Meigs, and Stephanie Ross along with faculty member Kitty Newsham PhD, ATC showed the Health Science Learning Community videos of injuries and talked about how an athletic trainer manages an injury. Using the videos gave the participants a clear picture of the nature and the context of the injuries.

SLU Health Sciences Learning Community

This year we focused on an ankle sprain, one of the most common injuries an AT treats. The discussion encompassed acute care on the field, the assessment in the clinic, and then rehabilitation for an ankle sprain. We had some hands-on activities such as functional tests to evaluate balance and proprioception which inform return to play decisions.

The athletic training students have been busy this November and we are excited for our future events!

SLU AT Students Benefit from Hands-on Experience at NCAA Division I SIU-Edwardsville

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUe)
By: Brandi Burgett and Stephanie Ross (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

SIUe has been a fantastic site to learn and grow at for our final year as SLU athletic training students. We have the opportunity to work with division one athletes in top facilities. They have a wide variety of modalities that are available and multiple facilities to use. Our preceptors encourage us learn and grow into the professionals that we want to be. With hands on experience we are able have the opportunity to a relationship with the athletes in order to improve their quality in performance. We have different opportunities to work with multiple teams in a variety of athletic training rooms on campus, giving the athletes multiple places to go for help.

Stephanie Ross - Caring for Women’s Soccer team along side Ben Heimos MAT, ATC, the athletic trainer, has given me the opportunity to discuss treatment options not only for the injuries that we are currently in season with but also the baseball injuries. Ben is the athletic trainer with Baseball in the spring, and with my summer field experience being with a minor league baseball team has given me the chance to build upon my knowledge of shoulder injuries and treatment. Talking with Ben, I learned that he previously used to be with the Marlins affiliated teams. He started out working in low A baseball and then was able to move up to AA. With both his experience and my experience working with professional baseball teams I have been able to discuss a shoulder program that was done at my clinical site for the summer along with his view on what stretches for the shoulder are the best based on his experience.

Brandi Burgett -  My clinical rotation with the volleyball team and my preceptor Alex Sawyer MAT, ATC (SLU MAT Class of 2013) has given me a different fall sport experience than the normal football experience. I have really enjoyed working with volleyball more than I thought I would. Being a former volleyball player has really helped me connect with my athletes and build those relationships that I find so important in athletic training. I have been able to learn a lot from a former SLU AT student as well. We are able to discuss what we may have learned at SLU and how she has adapted it from her experiences since then.

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. 

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 Speaker Series Event Provides a Moving Message About Health Professionals Dealing with Adversity

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program hosted its 5th Annual Speaker Series and Recognition Ceremony on Monday, February 15 at 7:00pm 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 2016 initiation ceremony for the SLU Alpha Iota Chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the National Athletic Training Honor Society.

Alpha Iota Chapter - Iota Tau Alpha

2016 Honorees

Undergraduate

Ryan J. Dale

Erin E. Fabbri

Ali N. Graham

Christopher P. Mecherle

Margaret M. Rowell

Stephanie A. Uhrich

Graduate

Cara E. Bowton

Bradley J. Bunten

Ryan P. Lilly

David J. O'Loughlin

Christopher A. Spink

Angelina M. Vitale

2015 Iota Tau Alpha honoree Madeleine Bresnahan was also recognized at the event because she was studying abroad in last Spring.

Scholarship award winners Dustin Jamboretz, Rachel Spika and Demeisha Crawford were also recognized.

Then, Dr. Fred Pestello, SLU President, made introductory remarks and welcomed attendees.

The keynote speaker for the event was R. Mark Laursen, MS, ATC, a Clinical Associate Professor of Athletic Training and the Director of Athletic Training Services at Boston University. 

The title of his presentation was 

#BostonStrong: Our Journey 2012-14, Boston University's Experience with the Boston Marathon.

Mr. Laursen discussed his experience as a health care provider in the 2012 Boston Marathon and during the 2013 event, where a terrorist attack resulted in two pressure-cooker bombs being detonated near the finish line of the race. Three people perished and over 250 others were injured in the attack. 

Both immediately following the tragedy and in the years that followed, Boston University played a substantial role with the marathon and in the Boston community. Factors were discussed that affected the support that was provided for those affected.

Following the keynote presentation, there was a panel discussion addressing how Saint Louis University would respond to a comparable tragedy. The panel included: Mark Laursen, SLU Dean of Students Mona Hicks, Ed.D.; SLU Campus Minister Fr. Robert Murphy, SJ, DPT, ATC; and SLU Psychology Professor Michael Ross, Ph.D.

This event was a truly moving and memorable experience!

Culture of Success and Respect Gives SLU AT Students a Great Experience at CBC

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Christian Brothers College High School

By: CJ Spink (SLU MAT Class of 2016) and Stephanie Ross (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

Our clinical rotation at Christian Brothers College High School has provided us with an abundance of learning opportunities. Kristen Jeans ATC, our preceptor at CBC employed through Mercy Sports Medicine, allows us to learn with an incredible amount of autonomy when treating athletes. She gives us the freedom to evaluate any and all injuries that we feel comfortable with and allows us to make return to play decisions as we see fit. This type of learning forces us to practice making decisions that we will make as future athletic trainers.

Working side by side with another student in the other professional year has been helpful in strengthening our learning experiences. We are able to review information from the PY1 year that Stephanie is currently learning, which allows for a better chance to grasp information from class while providing a great opportunity to review the same information that is likely to be on the BOC exam. The constant conversation that occurs during evaluations requires us to explain the purpose behind our actions, which forces us to understand the exact reason as to why we are doing what we are doing. 

The athletic environment at CBC is one of the most elite that you will find in high school sports. Every one of the sports teams is consistently competing for top rankings in the state for their respected sports. With the winningest soccer coach in high school history and a football team who has been undefeated for the past two seasons, both teams look to repeat as state champions. This speaks volumes towards the skill level of the athletes that we work with on a daily basis. 

As entertaining as the athletes are to watch on the field, the athletic environment isn’t the only reason CBC is a great clinical site. Every person in the building has accepted us into the community as if we have been doing our clinical rotations there for years. All of the coaches respect and appreciate our knowledge and commonly communicate with us regarding athletes that we work with individually as if we were already certified athletic trainers. We couldn’t have asked for a better athletic program, preceptor, and clinical site to help us develop into future athletic trainers. 

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 and Faculty Member Inducted into Alpha Eta Honor Society

On the night of October 21, 2015, six students and one faculty member from the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program were inducted into Alpha Eta, the National Allied Health Honor Society.  The induction ceremony took place in the Multipurpose Room of the Allied Health Building on the SLU Medical Center Campus.

Faculty Member: 

Michael Markee PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, ATC

Graduate Inductees: 

Dustin Jamboretz and David O'Loughlin (MAT Class of 2016)

Undergraduate Inductees: 

Amelia Meigs, Collin Peterson, Stephanie Ross and Daniel Smith (MAT Class of 2017)

SLU Chapter of National Athletic Training Honor Society Inducts Newest Members

Saint Louis University's Alpha Iota Chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the National Athletic Training Honor Society, inducted new members on February 10, 2014.  The ceremony took place in the Wall Auditorium in the Education Union on the SLU Medical Center Campus.  Following the ceremony, there was a presentation on "Mental Health and the Athlete" by Timothy Neal ATC and Michael Ross PhD. 

Over 120 students and professionals attended the keynote presentation.

Timothy Neal and Dr. Michael Ross during the keynote presentation.

Mr. Neal is the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at Syracuse University. He is prominently involved in the development of position statements and policies for athletic trainers with regard to management of mental health in athletes.  Dr. Ross is a professor in the Department of Psychology at SLU. He serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative and teaches a course in the AT program titled: "Psychology of Sport and Injury".

2014 Iota Tau Alpha Inductees

UNDERGRADUATE MEMBERS

Michael Aaron (MAT Class of 2015)

Nana Fujishiro (MAT Class of 2017)

Collin Peterson (MAT Class of 2017)

Stephanie Ross (MAT Class of 2017)

Rachel Spika (MAT Class of 2016)

GRADUATE MEMBERS

Jessica Buschjost (MAT Class of 2014)

Hilary Stepansky (MAT Class of 2015)

John Runde (MAT Class of 2014)

SLATS, the SLU AT student association, provided pizza after the ceremony.