Ironman

On May 18, 2013, seven of our Athletic Training Students and Director, Dr. Ray Castle, had the privilege of volunteering at the Ironman working with Memorial Hermann’s medical team.  Our Athletic Training Students included Sarah Bair, Olivia Bourgeois, Derek Carter, Bayley Romig, Sarah Keating, Adrianne Bosworth, and Taylor Wright.  The students were dispersed between working in the transition medical tent and finish line.  It was one of Houston’s hotter days, so the students worked diligently tending to many athletes suffering from heat illnesses.  However, a wide variety of injuries were seen ranging from debilitating foot blisters to a broken clavicle and ribs.  The athletic trainers were working alongside doctors, nurses, and physical therapists so it was a great opportunity to learn how to communicate and work together while bringing  their own set of different strengths and skills.  It was eye opening to learn and observe how to face certain challenges, one being having athletes from all over the world who are not used to the weather or who may not even speak English.  The race and medical tents were very well organized and it was because of the efficient communication between all of the medical staff that allowed it to run so smoothly.  We appreciate the staff of Memorial Hermann hospital allowing us to cover this event and we look forward to next year!

End of Year Student Crawfish Boil

To celebrate the end of another great year, all of our undergradute and graduate students gathered together to enjoy a crawfish boil. A little rain couldn't keep us from all gathering together to reflect on the past year and spend time together before everyone goes their seperate ways for the summer. Thank you to Derek Carter for offering up his home to hold almost 50 of us! This event also would not have been possible if not for the success of our high school student symposium. Alpha Tau Sigma was able to fully fund this event with the profit from that incredibly successfull event earlier in the Spring semester. We hope all of our student have a safe and successful summer and come back with improved skilled, great experiences, and ready for another great year to come!

Student of the Month

Congratulations to our two students of the month, Payton Kingsley and Tiffani Frizzell!  This is our second tie this year, however both student have shown exceptional growth and work ethic.  Payton Kingsley is a third-year Athletic Training Student and was assigned to Broussard Center for Athletic Training this semester.  She was lead rehabilitator on a shoulder reconstruction and was always willing to help other athletic trainers and their teams with anything they needed.   According to her supervisor Micki Collins, “Payton has been an outstanding student for us these past three years. She has really stepped up and been a huge help to every rotation this past semester.  She has been the glue that has held us together when all sports were in full motion.  I really hope the younger students were watching because she was an outstanding role model.”

Tiffani, a first-year student, worked with the Cross Country/ Track and Field team this year.  Even though she is a younger student, she has worked very hard to prove herself in the Athletic Training Room.  Keith Thompson, Head Athletic Trainer for Track and Field, had only positive things to say  about her.  “It was very rewarding to see Tiffani grow and mature as a first-year athletic training student.  In the clinical setting, Tiffani took charge of several rehabilitations; demonstrated attention to detail and diligence with daily facility tasks and documentation; and asked thoughtful, appropriate questions regarding patient injuries and treatment plans.  Josh, Regan, and I had a great group of students that worked with the Track & Field team this year. We are grateful for their efforts and pleased that they were recognized by the other Graduate Assistants and Staff members.”

Boston Hope

As many may already know, four members of our athletic training family were involved in the medical recovery efforts during the Boston Marathon.  Dr. Ray Castle, Derek Carter, Brendan Jacob, and Caitlyn McKinley were all providing first responder care at the race that day.  They are all currently back in classes/ work and are doing well getting back into their routines.  Their courage and dedication displayed that day will always be remembered and appreciated by us at LSU.  This traumatic event showed that athletic trainers may not only be taking care of torn ACL’s or heat cramps, but must be prepared for every emergency situation.  The LSU athletic trainers were very impressed with the Boston Athletic Association and how well they implemented their emergency action plan.  The collaboration between the Boston Athletic Association, marathon medical personnel, EMS, and local hospitals was seamless.  Without the teamwork of all of these groups, the number of casualties and major injuries would have been significantly larger.  We must look at this tragedy and search for the positives... and not hold on to the negatives.  We must use this opportunity to come together as a nation and be in continuous prayer and support all of those effected by its aftermath.  As a way of healing and to offer support, many of our student athletic trainers participated in a community effort to support Boston by running 2.62 miles in downtown Baton Rouge the weekend following the Boston Marathon. Thanks again to all those medical professionals working the race that day. 

Post-Grad Plans

The time has come once again for our graduating class of Certified Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers to leave Baton Rouge and move all across the country to start their careers. Yuri Jean-Baptiste, who worked with Track and Field and Cross Country and soccer teams while at LSU, has already made the move to Chapel Hill, North Carolina where he is now working as a Staff Athletic Trainer for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels Football Program. Paul Porter, who gained experience with the Women and Men’s Tennis teams, will soon be relocating to Phoenix, Arizona where he has accepted the position as the athletic trainer for the Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League Baseball team. Derek Calvert, who worked with the Gymnastics and Football teams, will be working for Dr. Williams Myers, notable surgeon specializing in sports hernia repairs, at Vincera Core Physicians as a Certified Athletic Trainer in Philadelphia. Casey Maxwell, who worked with the Track and Field and Cross Country teams as well as Volleyball, will be moving to California to pursue athletic training opportunities on the west coast. Kate Goeler, Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer for Women’s Soccer, Women’s Tennis, and Insurance Coordinator, leaves in mid June to begin an 11-month mission trip around the world called The World Race. We are so proud of what these Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers have accomplished during their time here at LSU, grateful for all of their hard work and dedication, and excited to see what the future brings for them. Good luck!

A Change for the Better

One of our Staff Athletic Trainers, Micki Collins, who is currently the Athletic Trainer for LSU Women’s Basketball, recently attended the Southeastern Conference Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Opelika, AL.  Athletic training colleagues and friends from the SEC gather each year to discuss current case studies, meet with vendors to see the latest equipment and supplies used in the medical field as well as network with conference ATCs.  This year, Micki presented LSU's case studies, one being a student-athlete diagnosed with Guillan Barre Disease.  According to Micki, the SEC Sports Medicine Conference is a great place to meet up with her fellow Women’s Basketball Athletic Trainers to exchange ideas and see what other conference programs are doing with similar issues.  The meeting also serves as a forum to discuss improvements that can be made in areas such as concussion policies, host event coverage, as well as post season championship medical coverage.  "We reflect on the previous year and go over any challenges faced and improvements that can be made, Collins says.  Our Atletic Training Program was proud to have her represent Louisiana State University and look forward to another exciting year for athletic training!

Student of the Month

 

Congratulations to our student’s of the month, Jenna Nicol and Will Payne. Yes, that is correct, we have two students this month! Because both Jenna and Will have exemplified what it means to be a student athletic trainer, the staff was unable to pick just one. Jenna worked with the LSU Soccer team last year while Will was with the SEC Champion Football team. They joined forces under Jon Michelini at Baseball for this season. When asked about his students, Jon said, “they have both been exceptional this year. They consistently go above and beyond at baseball. They have taken over our daily core workout program that was started here due to an increase in back/core injuries. They have made a huge impact on these athletes. In addition, they also manage the daily arm care routines we have in place for the pitchers. They are proactive in their approach to athletic training and have helped me tremendously.” Jenna and Will have proven themselves to be standouts in the second year class and always encourage their classmates to strive for excellence in the clinic and in the classroom. Congratulations again Jenna and Will!

Work Hard. Sleep Hard.