Another Symposium Success!

 

We had another successful symposium this year with all of our local high schools! Athletic training and sports medicine programs from various high schools around the state came to learn what it’s like to be an LSU athletic trainer.  The stations this year consisted of wound care, spine boarding, weather conditions, taping, nutrition, bracing, and concussions.  We even had special guests help teach at out stations including paramedics from Acadian Ambulance and our nutritionist, Jamie Meeks.  The students had a spine boarding relay race, got to make and take home their own bag of trail mix, had a concussion balancing contest, and much more.  This year, we were also excited to introduce a new program called Tiger Hearts.  Two of our students, Brendan Jacob and Derek Carter, are bringing to LSU what they learned working the Boston Marathon.  The high school students were able to learn Hands-Only CPR, so that they will at least know how to begin chest compression in an emergency situation.  The students were able to learn while having fun and we hope next year can be as successful.  Thank you to all of the high schools who joined us this year! 

SEATA 2014

Derek Carter, Jazmine Wilson, Taylor Wright, Samantha Guidry
SEATA presenters

To kick off the month of February, sixteen of our students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to attend the 29^th Southeastern Athletic Training Association Student Symposium. Students were able to meet certified athletic trainers, fellow students, and leaders in the athletic training field from District Nine. Educational tracks geared towards students of different levels offered in depth information on topics including concussion, core stability, orthotics, job skills, and board of certification review for seniors.

 

Quiz Bowl Team
 Ben Morale, Will Payne, Derek Carter, Meaghan Hussey

Will Payne, Ben Morale, Meaghan Hussey, and Derek Carter represented LSU in the quiz bowl competition. 4 of our students were selected from a competitive group of their peers to present clinical case studies. Derek Carter and Jazmine Wilson gave oral presentations while Taylor Wright and Samantha Guidry displayed posters. The greatest accolade of the weekend was Dr. Ray Castle’s induction into the SEATA Hall of Fame. Dr. Castle has served as the  co-chair of the Southeastern Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Athletic Training Student Clinical Symposium since 2002. Congratulations to all of our presenters and especially Dr. Castle!

You Never Know When You'll Need an Athletic Trainer

Josh Koch, a former graduate assistant at LSU was seen making news at the Newark Airport on the way to the NFL combine.  Josh is currently an athletic trainer for the New York Jets and his skills were put to the test when a woman on their flight needed emergency medical attention.  Right before lift-off, passengers began seeking for assistance to help an elderly woman.  Josh, along with another trainer and cardiologist, helped transport the woman to the jetway where they then performed CPR for about five minutes.  Paramedics soon arrived, and they were able to continue their flight to the NFL combine.  It is a miracle that these three men were present to help the woman and goes to show that athletic trainers are not just needed on the field but in everyday life.   

Student of the Month

Congratulations to our March Student of the Month, Hunter Martin! Hunter is a first year student in the professional phase of the athletic training program and currently works with the LSU football team. Martin is originally from Houma, Louisiana and got his start in athletic training at his high school. He is an integral part of the football athletic training team and always encourages his peers to continue to improve their skills. He never hesitates to get involved and picked up the daily routine of the athletic training room quickly in August. “Off-season has caused a major decrease in learning opportunities for the football students. Even though our students are only scheduled to work a couple days a week, Hunter has kept himself involved and taken every opportunity available by reporting every day to assist with daily rehabilitation” said Joe Wisniewski, graduate assistant athletic trainer for the football team, when asked about why Hunter has earned this honor. Congratulations again Hunter!