UCJC Student Reflects on International Clinical Exchange Experience at Saint Louis University

SLU AT International Clinical Exchange Spotlight - Universidad Camilo Jose Cela (Madrid)

By: Ramon Morales (UCJC Class of 2022)

As an international student from UCJC - Universidad Camilo Jose Cela Madrid -Spain. In my last clinical internship at Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program, I was immersed in the University's sports medical system (Chaifetz Arena sports medicine clinic) and High School (Webster Groves High School). I was given the instruction and practical clinical in athletic training with an intensive and continuous training process. The clinical rotation period in two different athletic training departments gave me a level of knowledge and approach to the injured athlete in the USA's day- to-day competitive and training sports at two different educational levels of athletes.

My first assignment at the Chaifetz Arena SLU Sports Medicine and Athletic Training department under my preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC, represented two main things during my experience. One was taught by a great professional with daily dedication and facilitation, patiently coordinating at the same time the set of professionals who were dedicated to reinforcing and complementing my reasonable period in different clinical cases. In that way, I could then receive practice and clinical approach in softball, Volleyball, cross county and swimming, and women's basketball and field hockey with Elena Melillo ATC and Maddie Bozych ATC. My preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC, was daily interested in reinforcing my clinical practice in the evaluation and specific treatment of the athlete, the interpretation and exploration of the rehabilitation programs, and in my learning in the use of the highest technology of the department (ALTER-G anti-gravity treadmill equipment, Laser, HiVAmat high frequency, Hydrotherapy treadmill, Game-ready, stim modalities, etc.,) as well as manual or instrumental techniques of daily application (Graston technique, Vacuum Cup, etc.). Also, the practice in the coverage and preparation of sports practices within the whole spectrum of Athletic Training.

From the beginning, the team led by SLU Head Athletic Trainer Johnathan Burch, ATC, gave me a warm welcome and worked with me based on getting the best experience. Immediately, colleagues such as Mike Markee, PT, ATC were concerned about incorporating observation and practical participation in important post-operative cases (ACL- Meniscus- Achilles' tendon repair), receiving updated scientific information and encouraging me to participate.

My second clinical sports rotation at Webster Groves High School was equally exceptional and exciting, guided and well received by a stimulating person, my preceptor Sean Wright, ATC. With the confidence previously gotten, I went directly to the clinical action, interaction, and immediate decision in clinical cases at the initial prevention level. Acute injuries in children and adolescents in plenty bone maturity, multiple patients, being my preceptor next to me asking me what you suggest and what you propose? Telling me; Perfect, ok go ahead, in full therapeutic action using your manual therapeutic and interpretative skills. It was a tremendous responsibility to give a solution to each case, besides having my colleagues students Alex Smith and Giovanna Charles (MAT Class of 2023). They bought their experience and daily support in practice collaborating with me at all times.

At the end of my experience as an international student, I feel like I must finally say it!!!! I have learned about the USA's institutional and administrative clinical management of ATs. The SLU and its Athletic Training program is a high-level institution where one feels protected with an exceptional and intensive agenda that immediately surrounds you, giving you multiple practical and educational tools. All its staff is attentive to you, making the most of your stay. I feel very grateful to all of you. Thank you, SLU, Professors Anthony Breitbach ATC, Katie Sniffen ATC, and Timothy Howell ATC, for this beautiful and unforgettable opportunity.

Mi primera asignacion al Chaifetz Arena Saint Louis University Sport Medicine and Athletic Training department a cargo de mi preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC junto dos cosas primordiales durante mi experiencia una ser instruido por un gran profesional con dedicación diaria y facilitación a la practica clínica coordinando con paciencia no solo mi formación si no a la vez al conjunto de profesionales que se abocaron a reforzar y complimentar durante mi periodo practico mi rotación en diferentes casos clínicos de esa manera pude entonces recibir practicas y enfoque clínico no solo en Soft ball,Volley ball ,Cross county y natación si no Basketball femenino y Hockey de la mano de Elena Melillo ATC and Maddie Bozych ATC. Mi preceptor Gwyn Brown, ATC estuvo diariamente interesada en reforzar mi clínica practica en la evaluación y tratamiento especifico del atleta , en la interpretación, exploración de los programas de rehabilitación y en mi aprendizaje en el manejo de la mas alta tecnología del departamento (ALTER-G anti-gravity treadmill equipment, Laser, HiVAmat hifg frecuency, Hydrotherapy treadmill,Game ready, stim modalities etc,) asi como técnicas manuales o instrumentales de diaria aplicación (Graston technique , Vacuum Cup, etc). De igual forma la practica en la cobertura y preparacion de practicas deportivas dentro de todo el espectro del Athletic Training.

Desde el inico el equipo dirigido por SLU Head Athletic Trainer Jonathan Burch ATC me dio una calida acogida y trabajo en función de mi mayor experiencia. De forma inmediata colegas como Dr. Mike Markee, PT, ATC se preocupo por incorporación a la observación,y practica participación en casos post operatorios importantes (ACL- Meniscus- Achilles tendón repair) recibiendo actualizada información científica y estimulándome a dar mi aporte y participación.

Mi segunda rotación clínico deportiva en Webster Groves High School fue igualmente excepcional y excitante, orientado y bien recibido por una estimulante persona mi preceptor Sean Wright, ATC y ya con la confianza ganada de la primera rotación , pase directamente a la acción clínica , interactuación y decisión directa en casos clínicos en el mas alto nivel preventivo y agudo de lesiones en niños y adolescentes en pleno desarrollo de madures ósea , multiples casos , situaciones directas de contusiones , estando mi preceptor al lado preguntándome ¿Qué sugieres tu?, ¿que propones ? ..muy bien, ok avanza.. en plena acción terapéutica utilizando tu capacidad manual terapeutica e interpretación propia , fue de una responsabilidad tremenda en darle solución a cada caso, además de contar con mis compañeros Alex Smith and Giovanna Charles (MAT Class of 2023) quienes compratieron su experiencia apoyo diario en la practica colaborando conmigo en todo momento.

Al final de mi experiencia  como estudiante internacional,  Siento que debo finalmente decirlo

!!!! he aprendido sobre el manejo clínico institucional y administrativo del AT en USA,La SLU y su programa de Athletic Training es una institucion de alto nivel donde uno se siente protegido e igual a todos, con una agenda excepcional e intensiva que te envuelve inmediatamente dándote multiples herramientas practicas y educativas , todo su personal esta atento a que tu aproveches al maximo tu estadia, me siento muy agradecido a todos Gracias SLU , gracias Profs. Anthony Breitbach, Katie Sniffen and Timothy Howell por esta maravillosa e inolvidable oportunidad.

SLU AT Student Gains New Skills Through Clinical Experience at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School

By: Muharem Komic (SLU MAT Class of 2023)

At Webster Groves High School with my preceptor Sean Wright ATC and I have learned and experienced quite a lot from being there for about a month even though it feels like I have been doing it longer than that. Sean has been awesome with showing me how everything works in the High School setting. How students come into his office after school to engage in rehab or to get checked out if they feel something is bothering or limiting them from performing. I’ve learned new ways to tape ankles and thumbs compared to how we were taught at Saint Louis University. Now I am in the process of taking parts from each method and kind of combining them. Some experiences that I’ve seen are a couple ACL tears and learning there certain special tests to prove the injury, along with MCL, PCL, and LCL. 

Something that happened recently was a possible cardiac arrest or at least from what Sean and I were told a cardiac arrest. It was this past Saturday and there was a volleyball tournament going on along with two soccer games. We just finished a the first soccer game and went back inside to check on volleyball and eat some pizza that was ordered for the staff. We were eating and Sean gets a call from one of the soccer coaches and said cardiac arrest on the field. We ran out there and this elderly man was on the ground conscious and Sean took his BP and it was weak and rapid, the ambulance was already on the way and they came and took over about one minute after we arrived. Turns out he was dehydrated, his BP went from 150 to 100 just from him sitting up. Sean and I were told it was a cardiac arrest so we brought the AED, but it ended up not being that at all. This whole situation made evident that anything can happen at any given moment, even when you’re not the first person on site. It showed me that you have to be ready and expect the situation to be a lot worse when arriving and we did. 

Overall it's been a great experience for the month being there and I expect to be learning and experiencing more as time goes on. 

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.

International Athletic Training Student Values Immersive Clinical and Academic Experience at Saint Louis University

International Clinical Experience at Saint Louis University 

By Alfredo Del Giudice (AT Student, Universidad Camilo Jose Cela)

If you are looking for a full-immersion authentic American experience and are willing to learn new skills in healthcare, rehabilitation and training this is the place for you! Saint Louis University was my place for a couple of months, a place where I really felt part of a community and had the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. The structure of the campus, the library, the gym and classes are full equipped with last generation material and allow the student to have a great didactic experience. Also the services that the university offers are top level, and in this regard I would like to give special thanks to the alumni service who helped us with the big amount of papers we had to fill in order to be part of the Athletic Training program. 

During this experience I had the opportunity to met great professional like Dr. Anthony Breitbach and Dr. Timothy Howell, who were totally involved in doing that the stay in the USA was the best and that were as much complete as possible. 

I really enjoyed receiving theoretical classes in Medical Conditions, Rehab Protocols, First Aid, Suture and also a simulation of how to deal with a job interview. This was thanks to the high quality of the lessons and its teachers but also because of the great group of students that surely will be talented professionals in future. When you can perceive an ambient where everyone is starving for learning and being better everyday you know that who has organized this program is doing a great job with his students.

The Athletic Training Room is a wide space very well organized and full equipped with plenty of rehabilitation material (they also have a rehab pool with an aquatic treadmill!) and by its side there’s a big gym, only for college athletes, also very well equipped. The ambient in the room is dynamic and active, full of students willing to learn and different healthcare professionals like AT, PT, Physician and Strength Coach willing to teach all of their knowledge. At the start of the clinical rotation the practices where mainly observational but day after day I had the opportunity to be involved more and more until finally having total freedom to treat and diagnose athlete. This helped me a lot with developing athletic training and therapy skills and gave a big boost to my English level. Also, I would like to mention the great experience we had at Webster Groves High School with another great professional like Sean Wright ATC, a skilled and proactive AT who was really involved in showing us his way of working and learning from us how we approach the patient; this was absolutely a place where we learn a lot and moreover where we were showed a different ambient from the college sports. 

How not to mention the Arch Madness at the Missouri Valley Conference! Unbelievable experience with many basketball teams from different universities. A show of talents in a real professional stadium such as the Enterpirse Center side by side with a lot of ATT and healthcare professional from all over the United States. A great moment where we had the opportunity to share ideas and our personal history and making friends!

In general, this is a totally recommendable experience for whoever is willing to learn from great professionals and bigger persons! I feel I have acquired new skills, learned a different approach and enriched my professional baggage. Thanks to you all friends, hope to see you soon again!

Experiencia clínica internacional en la Universidad de Saint Louis

By Alfredo Del Giudice (AT Student, Universidad Camilo Jose Cela)

Si está buscando una auténtica experiencia estadounidense de inmersión completa y está dispuesto a aprender nuevas habilidades en atención médica, rehabilitación y entrenamineto, ¡este es el lugar para usted! La Universidad de Saint Louis fue mi hogar durante un par de meses, un lugar donde realmente me sentí parte de una comunidad y tuve la oportunidad de crecer personal y profesionalmente. La estructura del campus, la biblioteca, el gimnasio y las clases están totalmente equipadas con material de última generación y permiten al estudiante tener una gran experiencia didáctica. Además, los servicios que ofrece la universidad son de primer nivel y, en este sentido, me gustaría agradecer especialmente al servicio de alumnos que nos ayudó con la gran cantidad de documentos que teníamos que llenar para formar parte del programa de ATT.

Durante esta experiencia tuve la oportunidad de conocer a grandes profesionales como Anthony Breitbach y Timothy Howell, quienes estuvieron totalmente involucrados en hacer que la estadía en los Estados Unidos fuera la mejor y que fuera lo más completa posible.

Realmente disfruté recibiendo clases teóricas en condiciones médicas, protocolos de rehabilitación, primeros auxilios, suturas y también una simulación de cómo lidiar con una entrevista de trabajo. Esto fue gracias a la alta calidad de las lecciones y sus profesores, pero también debido al gran grupo de estudiantes que seguramente serán profesionales talentosos en el futuro. Cuando puede percibir un ambiente donde todos se esfuerzan por aprender y mejorar cada día, sabe que quién ha organizado este programa está haciendo un gran trabajo con sus estudiantes.

La sala de entrenamiento atlético es un amplio espacio muy bien organizado y equipado con mucho material de rehabilitación (¡también tienen una piscina de rehabilitación con una cinta de correr acuática!) y a su lado hay un gran gimnasio, solo para atletas universitarios, también muy bien equipado. El ambiente en la sala es dinámico y activo, lleno de estudiantes dispuestos a aprender y diferentes profesionales de la salud como AT, PT, Physician y Strength Coach dispuestos a enseñar todo su conocimiento. Al comienzo de la rotación clínica, las prácticas eran principalmente de observación, pero día tras día tuve la oportunidad de involucrarme más y más hasta finalmente tener total libertad para tratar y diagnosticar al atleta. Esto me ayudó mucho con el desarrollo de las habilidades terapéuticas y dio un gran impulso a mi nivel de inglés. Además, me gustaría mencionar la gran experiencia que tuvimos en Webster High School con otro gran profesional como Sean Wright, un ATT experto y proactivo que realmente estuvo involucrado en mostrarnos su forma de trabajar y aprender de nosotros cómo nos acercamos al paciente; este fue absolutamente un lugar donde aprendemos mucho y, además, nos mostraron un ambiente diferente al de los deportes universitarios.

¡Cómo no mencionar el Arch Madness en la Missouri Valley Conference! Experiencia increíble con muchos equipos de baloncesto de diferentes universidades. Una muestra de talentos en un estadio profesional real, como el Enterpirse Center, junto con muchos ATT y profesionales de la salud de todo Estados Unidos. ¡Un gran momento donde tuvimos la oportunidad de compartir ideas y nuestra historia personal y hacer amigos!

En general, esta es una experiencia totalmente recomendable para quien esté dispuesto a aprender de grandes profesionales y personas más grandes. Siento que adquirí nuevas habilidades, aprendí un enfoque diferente y enriquecí mi equipaje profesional. ¡Gracias a todos ustedes amigos, espero verlos pronto de nuevo!

SLU AT Student's Confidence Grows through Clinical Experience at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By: Abby Hoffman (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

The second half of my year-long clinical rotation has given me an immersive experience in basketball and wrestling, which are two sports I didn’t get much exposure to at my other clinical sites. I have enjoyed these two sports because I’ve learned more ways to create rehabilitation programs and return to play criteria that are more sports specific. I feel more confident in my abilities to help an athlete get stronger and return to their sport within an appropriate amount of time.

A year ago, I remember myself feeling incapable to create a relevant rehab program and assess whether or not an athlete was ready to return. Seeing where I am today with my skill level as well as seeing my growth makes me confident and excited for the future.

I look forward to going to Webster every day and gaining knowledge from new experiences while also doing the tasks I’ve done many times before to help perfect my practice. Of course, the biggest worry I have right now is taking the Board of Certification exam, however, I know that learninf from my preceptor Sean Wright ATC at Webster and practicing the skills I’ve learned throughout my education are helping me “study”.

There’s so much more than entry level information that a student can learn from their preceptor and clinical site. I am appreciative of the opportunity I have to acquire proficiency and competence.

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 Enjoys Returning to Alma Mater for Clinical Experience at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By: Abigail Hoffman (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

Being at Webster Groves High School for my PY2 year is an opportunity that I wanted to have, but wasn’t sure if I could have it. Since I graduated from Webster, this experience is very different for me. It’s pretty much like coming full circle. Sean Wright ATC, my former teacher and inspiration to become an athletic trainer is now my preceptor. I couldn’t be more grateful. I am treated as an equal there and I have the freedom and trust from my preceptor to provide athletes with evaluations and plans for treatment. One thing that I appreciate about my time at Webster so far is that I was fully immersed in athletic training duties straight away. Normally that situation would scare me, but I felt comfortable enough to jump in because I have the support. As a PY2, I think being treated as a certified athletic trainer (with supervision) is necessary to prepare me for my future career.

I have been able to dive deeper into rehabilitation techniques so far and learn from my preceptor as well as teach myself along the way. Being handed the task of finding rehab for an athlete on my own time is intimidating, but it helps me in the end to make my own decisions and be confident in them. I enjoy my role in the AT room because the athletes trust me and know that I have the knowledge to help them. I’ve managed to create a good rapport with the athletes and coaches, which is an important skill to master before graduating with this degree because of the need for communication and tactfulness.

I look forward to new experiences with different sports as the year advances. I have already been able to be put in situations that make me think on the spot, which is something I didn’t experience as much at my other clinical placements. My ability to make tough decisions will continue to grow because my preceptor allows me to make mistakes and learn from them. As my experience at Webster continues, I know I will become a more resourceful and critical thinker.

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.