May 2, 2011

LSU Athletic Training Student of the Month

Congratulations to Dani Klein, this month's Student of the Month! Dani is a 3rd year Athletic Training Student currently working with University High School. Previous clinical rotations include LSU Football and Swimming and Diving. Throughout her years at LSU, Dani has been a superior role model and leader in both the classroom and clinically, as well as actively promoting the Athletic Training profession. At the conclusion of her junior year, Dani obtained a highly sought after NFL Summer Internship position with the Buffalo Bills. She was LSU's first female athletic training student to acquire such an internship. As expected, she represented LSU with integrity and hard work. She currently serves as the President of LSU's Student Organization, Alpha Tau Sigma, where she takes on many leadership responsibilities, including community service events and fundraisers. One of her main responsibilities this year was to coordinate the Alpha Tau Sigma's Annual High School Student Symposium.

Melissa Sorrells, MS, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer for University High School has had the pleasure of supervising Dani's current clinical rotation while at LSU and says "Dani's extraordinary leadership abilities have enabled her to become one of the top students in the program. Her passion and dedication to the Athletic Training profession as well as U-High has made her one to be counted on and looked up to, from not just the student athletes, but to faculty, staff, and other medical professionals as well. I have no doubt that she will succeed in her future role at Virginia Tech and go on to do great things for Athletic Training". Upon leaving the LSU Athletic Training Program in May, Dani will attend Virginia Tech University where she will obtain her Master's Degree while pursuing a Graduate Assistantship with Swimming and Diving. We wish Dani the best of luck in her future endeavors in the Athletic Training profession!

April 1, 2011

Donate to the American Red Cross to Help Support the Relief Efforts in Japan

On March 11, 2011, a devastating 8.9 scale earthquake hit the country of Japan, causing yet another deadly natural disaster, a 10 meter high tsunami that destroyed the lives and homes of many residents of Japan and the Pacific Coast.

Noritoshi Shirakawa, ATC, former LSU Athletic Training Student (2007-2010) and current Certified Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Illinois is a native of Japan. Nori was an excellent student in the LSU Athletic Training Education Program, and was the award winner of the prestigious Academic Achievement Award two years in a row, as well as the NATA Research and Education Foundation Master's Scholarship in 2010. He was assigned to Football in 2007 and was part of the 2007 National Championship team. Nori was also part of very successful Track and Field and Softball programs. In the summers of 2008 and 2009, Nori also fulfilled interests in completing an NFL Internship with the Houston Texans and an MLB Intership with the Texas Rangers. Working with his native country, Nori also provided medical services to the Nippon Tornados, an independent semi-professional basketball team.
Minekazu (Kaz) Isobe, ATC, is also a former LSU Athletic Training Student (2005-2008) and native of Japan. Kaz was an outstanding Athletic Training Student at LSU, receiving the Academic Achievement Award in 2006-2007. He also participated in an NFL Internship with the Houston Texans in 2009. Kaz currently resides in Hiroshima, Japan, which is about 650 miles away from the devastation. He has been working as an Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Sanfrecce Hiroshima Japanese Professional Soccer Team in the J. League Division I. To help out LSU Alumni and those affected by the disaster in Japan and the Pacific Coast, please make a donation to the American Red Cross. Donations can be made in the name of the disaster, and can be made either online or by mail. We ask that you please take the time to support the LSU Alumni in this difficult time. To make a donation, visit the American Red Cross website.

Senior Athletic Training Student Returns from Semester Long Internship

Students in the LSU Athletic Training Program are highly encouraged to seek experience in other settings throughout their three years, especially in the form of professional, collegiate, and/or other internships. From December 2010 to March 2011, RayLynne Lee, 3rd year Athletic Training Student participated in a collegiate internship with the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She served as an Athletic Training Student Intern under Jeff Kinard, MPH, ATC, CSCS, Head Athletic Trainer, as well as Joshua Stuhr, MS, ATC, Assistant Athletic Trainer. During her stay, RayLynne gained valuable clinical experience with the Men’s Ice Hockey and Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. Her duties for Ice Hockey included pre-practice and pre-competition treatments, as well as post-competition care and rehabilitations. She also had the opportunity to assist with the emergency care of a life-threatening External Jugular Vein laceration while assisting in competition coverage. Her duties with the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams included pre and post-competition treatment, as well as travel experience as she went on the road to Oakland City, IN with the teams. RayLynne ‘s opportunity with the University of Alabama – Huntsville was a very valuable experience that benefited her greatly as an Athletic Training Student as she continues her Athletic Training career. “My time spent with the Ice Hockey team at UA was a very positive experience. The internship challenged me and helped me grow in a short amount of time. Working underneath a different Athletic Training Staff was an extremely valuable experience and the UAH Athletic Training and Coaching Staff welcomed me with open arms. They were available and ready to teach me at any time. I also learned what it takes to be an Athletic Trainer in a very fast and demanding environment. This internship has played a key role in the continuing development of my career” – RayLynne Lee, 3rd Year Athletic Training Student – Football, Gymnastics, Swimming and Diving

Senior Athletic Training Students Set for the Future

Congratulations to our Senior Athletic Training Students, all of whom have been given the opportunity to continue their Athletic Training education at the University or Rehabilitation Center of their choice both in and outside the southern region. We know that each student will represent LSU in an honorable way. Currently, our Seniors are preparing for and taking their Certification exam. We want to wish them all the best as they grow to become distinguised Athletic Trainers.

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Matthew Chappellie

Christus Schumpert: Highland Clinic

Shreveport, LA

Parkway and Captain Shreve High Schools _________________________________________________

Craig Chelette

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

Graduate Assistantship _________________________________________________

Danielle Davis

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN

Graduate Assistant: Women's Soccer _________________________________________________

David Gambel

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Graduate Assistantship __________________________________________________

Stephanie Garcia

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN

Graduate Assistantship: Football and Softball _________________________________________________

Dani Klein

Virginia Tech University

Blacksburg, VA

Graduate Assistantship: Swimming and Diving _________________________________________________

RayLynne Lee

University of Denver

Denver, CO

Internship: Women's Soccer and Women's Lacrosse _________________________________________________

Matthew Rabalais

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

Graduate Assistantship _________________________________________________

Maggie Trinchard

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

Graduate Assistantship: Swimming and Diving _________________________________________________

Jessica VanSweden

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD

Graduate Assistantship: Softball _________________________________________________

Erica Williams

Mississippi State University

Starkville, MS

Graduate Assistantship: Football, Men's and Women's Tennis