Congratulations Seniors!

Congratulations to the LSU Senior Athletic Training Students! Upon their graduation on May 18th, they will all become certified athletic trainers.  Following in the foot steps of last year's graduating class, every student passed their Board of Certification exam on the first attempt. This is the second time in LSU history that we have had a 100% pass rate!

The senior class would like to thank every staff member and graduate assistant that has helped them through their clinical years at LSU.  They would especially like Micki Collins who teachers the BOC prep class that has lead to their success!  In addition, a specfial thanks to Dr. Ray Castle and Dr. Melissa Thompson for their guidance in the academic setting.

Student's Summer Plans

As the school year comes to a close and summer begins, many of our students have exciting plans.  Our athletic training program is proud to announce seven of our students who will be working various internships over the summer.  Caitlyn McKinley and Jared Williams have been chosen to receive internships with LSU football and scholarships to attend summer classes. When asked about this internship, Jared said “I’m excited, anxious, and blessed to have the opportunity to further my development as a clinician working as a summer intern with LSU football. I cannot wait to start and rise to the occasion.”  Caitlyn commented that she is honored to “have been chosen for this internship position. I know this will help me further my athletic training knowledge to only become a better clinician in the future. I’m excited and ready to begin working and learning.” John McLaughlin and Jeremy Mayard, two student athletic trainers who both worked with the LSU football team this year, have received internships with the New Orleans Saints.  John will be working a mini camp in May and June and Jeremy will join the team for training camp at the end of July.  Eduardo Godoy, who is a first year athletic training student with the football team, will be working with the Arizona Cardinals for the month of July and through training camp. Eduardo is looking forward to the “opportunity to work training camp and pre season games because of the insight it will provide into the life of an athletic trainer in the NFL.”  Reese Shivers, who is currently working with women’s basketball, began an internship with an arena football team  (the New Orleans VooDoo) in March and will continue to work with them through the end of July. “Working with the New Orleans VooDoo has given me an amazing opportunity to grow as an athletic trainer. I have already been exposed to numerous injuries and am able to practice my communication and leadership skills in a professional setting. I have learned how to think on my feet and how to make use of the equipment and material that are given to me” said Shivers. Brandon Cobb, athletic training student for the men’s basketball team, will return as an intern to the New York Giants. For Brandon, this internship is “a great learning experience which helped me grow as an athletic trainer. I am very fortunate for them to have asked me back again this preseason.”  We are very proud of all of our student trainers and know that they will succeed in all of their endeavors.

Staff Member to Present at CATA Conference

LSU Women's Basketball Athletic Trainer, Micki Collins will be presenting her case study, Guillain Barre Syndrome in a Female Collegiate Athlete, at the CATS Conference next week in Las Vegas.  The case study is based one of Collins' senior athletes during the 2010-2011 season.  Within three days, the student-athlete went from symptoms of blurred vision and a headache to the inability to walk, perform daily activities and speak clearly. After a battery of tests and a worsening of her symptoms, she was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome. Guillain Barre is a rare syndrome in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.  On the fourth day, the athlete had to be put on a ventilator. However, with the help of immunoglobin IVs, her recovery was accelerated.  Sixteen days after her first symptoms she was out of ICU and admitted into the rehabilitation wing.  Her rehabilitation consisted of physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.  What was suppose to be a 30 day process in the rehabilitation unit was only ten days due to the hardwork and determination of the athlete. The athlete has made a full recovery and returned to play.  Congratulations to Micki Collins for being chosen to present at CATS!  We hope you will have the opportunity to listen to her at the upcoming conference.

Student of the Month

Congratulations to Brendan Jacob who is our Student of the Month for May!  Brendan is currently a first year and is working with the Swimming and Diving team.  This is Brendan’s second time to earn student of the month this year.  Brendan has been an excellent addition to our athletic training family and has done a great job of stepping up as an athletic training student and as a leader to his peers. Derek Calvert, current graduate assistant athletic trainer for the gymnastics team, spoke about Brendan as doing “a great job this year as a first year student. He has been Student of the Month twice this year and has done a great job of managing his work schedule, school, and athletic training responsibilities well. He has had to take on increased responsibility this month with Brandon Stone leaving early to fill a position with the Arizona Cardinals from the standpoint of scheduling doctor appointments to creating rehabilitation plans under the supervision of Paul Porter and myself.”  With Brendan’s great personality and strong work ethic, he is sure to excel in this career.  Congrats again Brendan!