SLU AT Students Build Their Skills in a Dynamic and Collaborative Environment with Billiken Athletics

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics

By: Maddie Cavanaugh, Amra Kardasevic, and Michael Ryan (MAT Class of 2022)

For the start of our PY2 semesters, we have had the opportunity to gain clinical experience at Saint Louis University.  SLU provides a multitude of sports the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes and Certified Athletic Trainers.  Amra Kardasevic and Maddie Cavanaugh are primarily assisting Jonathan Burch, ATC, with Men’s Basketball.  Michael Ryan is primarily assisting Ben Heimos, ATC, with Men’s Soccer and will assist with Baseball in the Spring.  We are able to spend numerous hours in the athletic training room, gaining experience from all of the staff ATs and learn from the individual, unique skillsets.

It is a unique opportunity to provide medical care for high level athletes.  While basketball is still early on in pre-season, we are getting to see and assist with practices, rehabilitations and injury prevention. Men’s Soccer is partially through their season, so I have been seeing how rehabilitations differ when a player gets a minor injury in a game when the goal is to get them ready for the next game as opposed to how injuries are treated in pre-season.

Maddie and Amra look forward to getting the game day experience and the possibility of traveling with the team eventually to see what both home and away games look like for a Division I Certified Athletic Trainer for basketball.  Maddie is looking forward to experiencing the interprofessional atmosphere between the ATCs, strength and conditioning staff and nutritionists within Chaifetz.  Amra is eager to experience a fast pace environment that is associated with game day and learning more clinical skills from both ATCs and other medical staff if injuries arise.  Michael is looking forward to continuing to learn and get more experience to hone his skills as an athletic training student. Having experienced a few game days already this year, Michael is excited to continue being utilized on those days to help prepare the team for their game. 

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 Experience a Welcoming and Empowering Clinical Site at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School 

By: Iris Herrera (SLU MAT Class of 2021) and Michael Ryan (MAT Class of 2022)

We have been learning a lot at Webster Groves High School! Our preceptor Sean Wright ATC welcomed us with open arms and let us get hands on practice from the beginning. 

It’s been exciting to practice our clinical skills with the athletes that are allowed to practice and have games. This semester we have been doing a lot of evaluations and spending a lot of time planning and executing rehabilitation programs for injured athletes. we love being able to guide athletes from evaluations to return to play progressions. 

Being in the high school setting has been great! We've formed some great relationships with athletes. Hearing thank-you’s and even getting letters of appreciation has been heartwarming. Earning their trust and getting them to invest time into doing rehab has been really fulfilling.  Going into the rest of the semester we are excited to continue to practice evaluations, rehabilitation, and return to play decisions. 

Iris has also continued doing hours with Tom McGowan MEd, LAT, ATC at Children’s Hospital / Lou Fusz Soccer Club. At the soccer and lacrosse practices she's been able to evaluate athletes and make triage decisions. Since the summer, Tom has helped her become more and more confident in her skills. Towards the beginning of the semester she was able to join Tom in teaching the Lou Fusz coaches the FIFA11+ injury prevention warm up routine. Throughout the semester she has had practice in evaluating injuries, rehabilitating athletes, performing SCAT5’s, and talking to young athletes and their parents. 

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 Students Enjoy Immersive Clinical Experience in the SEC at Ole Miss

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - University of Mississippi Athletics - Oxford, MS
By: Jazmon Carroll and Catherine Chua  (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

We have had the pleasure of having a summer field experience at the University of Mississippi under preceptor Corbit Franks ATC. Franks has provided us with a well-rounded and unique exposure with NCAA Division I Athletics in the Southeastern Conference. The bulk of our time has been spent preparing the Women’s Soccer team for their season this fall. We deal with pre-practice treatments, practice and workout coverage, hydration and helping with any other complaints of injury post practice.

Being with a single primary sport makes it easy to build rapport with the athletes and build closer bonds than we've been able to have at a smaller college. The relationship we’ve been able to build with the women’s soccer team here at Ole Miss is one of a kind and we both cherish the experience and bond with the athletes. They’ve been able to feel comfortable coming to us with any pre-existing injuries, any worries or thoughts about current training, and life in general. The ability to build these relationships will be incredibly important in the future of our profession.

We have been able to learn all parts of the athletic training here at OleMiss. Treatments, hydration, diet, along with the paperwork and office work have all been a part of the experience. We are incredibly excited to continue with the women’s soccer team through their preseason and be able to attend their first regular season game before returning to Saint Louis.

We hope to continue learning sport-specific treatments and rehabilitation for soccer and are very eager to see how this team does throughout their season!

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 Preceptor's Guidance in Busy Setting with St. Louis Scott Gallagher

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Saint Louis Scott Gallagher/Mercy Sports Medicine 

By: Chase Long (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

This summer, I have had the pleasure of working with Saint Louis Scott Gallagher (SLSG) Soccer. 

Getting to work under the guidance my preceptor, SLU alum Emily Costabile MAT ATC, through Mercy Sports Medicine has been essential to my growth as a future clinician. I am thankful that she was open to sharing her wealth of sports medicine knowledge with me.  

SLSG has allowed me to broaden my evaluation skills on a wide variety of soccer athletes, as well as how to treat and prevent these injuries.  Because of the high number of athletes we get to interact with everyday, Emily has also helped me improve on my manual therapy techniques that I can utilize in moving forward as an athletic trainer.  

Emily's guidance this summer has been exceptionally beneficial, and I am grateful for the opportunity to get to work with such a unique population of athletes.  

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 Grows Clinical Skills in Professional Setting with STLFC

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis Football Club

By: Amelia Meigs (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

The last 6 weeks, I have had the privilege of working with the Saint Louis Football Club team, under their Head Athletic Trainer, Brian Bounds, MPT, ATC, LAT, CSCS. Working with a professional-level team is markedly different than my previous clinical experiences. While I have previously worked with soccer, the level of athlete, training, and healthcare are very different. My background in soccer has become useful as Brian and I have worked together to improve current injury prevention efforts and streamline the team’s exercises. Brian leads cool-down each day at practice, so we are developing a rotation of stretches and exercises that are relevant to the elite soccer player.

Working with the athletes at Saint Louis FC has been incredible--the dedication and effort of these players to improve their personal fitness and wellbeing makes injury prevention easy. While we spend a lot of time managing current injuries, we are also able to spend a significant amount of time analyzing data through the GPS trackers and heart rate monitors the players wear at each practice. Since this technology is new to STLFC, we are exploring the technology and are able to use it to guide our practice. I have gained a lot of soccer-specific knowledge, including the most common muscular deficits soccer players face.

Brian has been an excellent preceptor so far, allowing me input into decisions and pushing me to research new topics. His dedication to athletic training and to the continual pursuit of a better way to perform his job is an exemplary model for my own practice. The lessons I have learned at STLFC will lead me in my future career.

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 Multiple Settings at Mercy Sports Medicine and St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Mercy Sports Medicine and St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, St. Louis, MO

By: Sarah Haenchen (SLU MAT Class of 2017)

My summer field experience is at Mercy Sports Medicine Clinic with Meghan Mulloy, ATC and Amanda Keenan, ATC. I am getting experience with Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club with Emily Costabile, ATC (SLU MAT class of 2015). I enjoy the two settings as it provides me with different challenges.

Mercy Sports Medicine takes a different approach to therapy. We do not just treat the injured area; we treat the whole body. When one part of the body is injured, other parts may have to take up more work and this can cause movement dysfunction. I have learned how to assess movement through the Selective Functional Movement Assessment and the Functional Movement Assessment screens. Once we find a dysfunction, we will work on breakout sessions that target the dysfunction so that the patient can become more functional. The dysfunctions we find are related to mobility and stability. We first work on mobility, and then focus of stability so that we can prevent the dysfunction from returning. 

While at the clinic, I have also improved my skills in manual therapy especially massage. The clinic does not have any modalities because they believe that the hands can do as good of a job as a modality. Working with my hands lets me assess the areas that need treatment. After the treatment, I am able to feel the difference in the quality of the soft tissue. I love working in the clinic because of the wide range of ages that I work with and the variety of conditions that are seen. Amanda and Meghan have let me choose exercises and expand my knowledge about different conditions and their theories to therapy. 

With Saint Louis Scott Gallagher at Soccer Park, Emily and I provide athletic health care for the U 15, 16, 19, and 23 teams for camps. There are two small athletic training rooms that we share with Saint Louis FC. Sometimes it gets packed in the rooms, but we do our best to make sure that everyone is taken care of and out on the field in time for practice. Emily gives me the opportunity to choose the exercises and come up with the treatment plans for those who need rehab. It is a challenge to determine which exercises are best, but I am glad that Emily is there to also provide her input. I am also able to practice my evaluation skills especially when there is an acute injury. 

My time at both places has been very valuable and I have gained a new perspective in treating patients. Amanda, Meghan and Emily are great athletic trainers to work with, and I am always ready for the challenges they give me. 

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 Student Discovers Dynamic and Fun Learning Experience with Saint Louis FC

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Saint Louis Football Club, St. Louis, Missouri

By: Lauren Scalise (SLU MAT Class of 2016)

I’ve been playing soccer since I was 3 years old and to have the opportunity to intern with Saint Louis’ newest professional soccer team is an amazing opportunity. There’s nothing like walking into an athletic training room where everyone welcomes you with arms wide open. The atmosphere in the athletic training room with Saint Louis Football Club is filled with great opportunities and new learning experiences.  

Working with the head athletic trainer, Nathan Burney ATC has been a blast so far! A few times a month, I am given mini homework assignments. This includes rehab plans for injured athletes, SOAP notes, and reviewing certain special test for assessment.  He has provided me with multiple learning opportunities, and under his guidance I have been able to assess some of the athletes for injuries as well as provide my own rehab plan for them. Given the responsibility to look after and assess these athletes has allowed me to gain a great amount of confidence in the athletic training room. 

The approach with rehab at this site is not focused on modalities such as stim and ultrasound, but rather manual techniques, such as muscle release, massage, and simple rehab exercises, which allow the athletic trainer to spend one on one time with the injured athletes. I think that this provides for a greater sense of care and communication between the athlete and the athletic trainer. I can honestly say that getting up early in the morning to come here is no hassle and I’m always excited to see what the day will bring.  I can’t wait to continue at this site for the rest of the summer and see what other learning opportunities this experience has to offer!

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 Student Spends the Summer Getting Hands-on Experience with Soccer in Michigan

SLU AT Summer Field Experience Spotlight - Michigan Bucks, Rochester, Michigan

By: Alissa Beeman (SLU MAT Class of 2016)

I’ve been doing my summer field experience in Rochester, Michigan with the Michigan Bucks semi-professional soccer team. So far this has been a very cool experience for me, it’s been very interactive and eventful. The athletes at this level are much more independent in regards to their injuries than any prior athletes I have worked with before. 

I have been given a lot of independence and freedom while working here which has helped me strengthen my skills and build my confidence in this profession. There have been a few different situations where my preceptor allowed me to take the lead and demonstrate my skills. I was able to steri-strip an athlete with a laceration on his eyebrow on the sideline, he then returned to the game. Another athlete had an avulsion of his hamstring. I felt the divot in his affected muscle and tenderness on the ischial tuberosity. Finally, an athlete had a fracture of his distal tibia. I splinted him with a SAM splint and we sent him to the ER.  It was the first time I was able to splint an injured athlete. 

One interesting thing that we do with these athletes is run a regeneration practice after games. I think it’s a cool way as an athletic trainer to utilize other skills that we hone other than simply managing injuries. We work with them on stretching and cool-down exercises to help regenerate their muscles after competitions. 

I’m very happy with the amount of hands on experience and learning that I have been exposed to throughout my internship thus far. I believe that it is an extremely effective way of learning, for me especially. I look forward to continuing my work this summer and building my knowledge base for my future career. 

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 Students Have a Great Day with the USA Women's Soccer National Team

Women's Soccer at Busch Stadium - United States vs New Zealand

By: Lauren Scalise and Andrea Strebler (MAT Class of 2016)

Having played club, high school and college soccer, the sport has been a huge part of our lives since we were young kids. We wanted to continue to feel a part of the competitive atmosphere; that is why we chose to pursue our careers in Athletic Training.

We had the rare and special opportunity on the stretcher crew with Athletico/PRORehab AT's Charlie Weir ATC and Brian Hudson ATC at the U.S. Women s Soccer National Team game at Busch Stadium. They played New Zealand’s Women’s National Team, and came out victorious! 

We were placed directly behind the score table and referees. It was truly surreal to be arm’s length from the players we have watched on TV for years. We had the stretcher in hand and were ready to act in a professional manner if called on by the teams medical personnel. 

It was an amazing learning experience and we are very thankful that we were selected by our program at SLU to participate in that type of atmosphere!

SLU Student Connects Her Experience as a Soccer Player to Her Future Career as an AT

New PY1 Student Blog Post - Andrea Strebler
By: Andrea Strebler (MAT Class of 2016)

I have only been in the program one year now but I have truly enjoyed everything I have learned and experienced. From my first attempt at an ankle tape to direct observing the PY1’s and PY2’s actually addressing athletes and performing the proper techniques, every moment is different and exciting. Every athlete and injury is different and yet there are ways to treat and help the athlete back to healthy one-hundred percent performance.

What I love most about this major is the constant movement and excitement. I have played basketball, volleyball, tennis, racquetball, softball and mostly soccer so the hands aspect of Athletic Training is very attractive to me. I currently play soccer of the women’s soccer team of Saint Louis University and have seen firsthand many ACL tears, concussions, sprained ankles, pulled muscles and many more. With all this experience in watching injury, Athletic Training has opened my eyes to the afterwards assessment and treatment of how to make the athlete better and to get them back as quick and efficiently as possible.

This past weekend my team and I had a double header and in the second game one of my teammates smacked her head on the goal post. When our AT ran over to assess her head injury, I had a sudden urge to go with her to assess my teammate. I have never felt as if I could help in that way before, I am always concerned on if my teammate is okay or not but this was different. My new knowledge and experience from direct observing and class is changing my way of thinking and has bettered my awareness of what is going on around me during a game.

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 300 - AT Student Development II.

Big Weekend for the Billikens

Its been a fun weekend on campus!

Friday night, the Men's Soccer team hosted Drake in the NCAA Tournament, winning in the 2nd overtime 1-0. Congrats to the team and SLU men's soccer athletic trainer Angie Wills as they head to Indiana Tuesday night.

Click here to read about it.

Saturday afternoon, the Men's Basketball team knocked off Boston College at a rocking, nearly sold out, Chaifetz Arena. Athletic trainer Jonathan Burch was kept busy, especially when Kevin Lisch took a shot to the nose and came back to lead the team to victory!

Click here to read the story

Kevin Lisch gets bloodied.....

But not beaten!

Last, but not least, SLU hosted the A-10 volleyball championship. The 21st ranked Billikens swept its way to victory over Xavier and Dayton! Best of luck to them and athletic trainer Theresa Hummel as they move on to the NCAA tournament.

Click here to read the story

GO BILLIKENS!