On Friday, the Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department is proud to have 19 Undergraduate students participating in graduation ceremonies.  These students will all earn a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training Degree from MSU.

These students have worked hard to complete challenging ATEP coursework, actively learned and participated in numerous clinical assignments, and developed greatly both as individuals and as athletic training students.   In addition the students have developed strong friendships with each other that will last long after they leave the program.  The Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department is proud to have these students as alumni and as new professionals in the field.  The time spent with these students was greatly enjoyed and the Department looks forward to seeing what achievements each of these students will make in the professional world.

The 2013 ATEP Graduating Class 

Josh Bell
Mary Blochberger
Jay Butts
Elizabeth Chapin
Nicole Critchfield
Alanna Dennison
Abby Eckert
Danielle Fuhrman
Alyssa Gerke
Alexandria Jauregui-Dusseau
Michelle Kawelaske
Michael Lane
Colin Miller
Nicole Rawlings
Jared Sickman
Kaleena Smith
Stephanie Swartzwelder
Amanda Tomek
Blaire Wyatt

CONGRATULATIONS ALL!!

The 2012-2013 Missouri State University ATEP Banquet was Saturday, May 11th and was attended by first, second, third, and forth year students as well as their families and friends.  Also in attendance were many faculty/staff from the department, preceptors, and affiliates of the program.  Third year students, Spenser Deeken and Jenica Paulsen took a large part in organizing the successful event and announcing throughout the event.

Winners of Awards and Scholarships which were announced at the Banquet were as follows;

SMAT Athletic Training Student Scholarship
Spenser Deeken
Karen Kline

Gary Ward Alumni Scholarship
Jessi Stewart
Katherine Renkoski

Brent Carter Edwards Memorial Scholarship
Mikel Cox

Harvey Michael MD Athletic Training Student Scholarship
Rebecca Won

Lyons-Andre Memorial Athletic Training Student Scholarship
Carly Totsch

Karen Toburen Senior Achievement Award
Alex Jauregui-Dusseau
Blaire Wyatt

Preceptor (ACI/CI) of the Year
Justin Ebert

Student Appreciation Award
Kristin Tivener

First Year Student of the Year
Peter Amponsah
Cameron Deckett

Upper Level Student of the Year
Josh Bell
Stephanie Swartzwelder

Most Improved Student of the Year
Jon Spire

SMAT Program Appreciation Award
Mercy Emergency Department
Mercy Surgical Center

Congratulations to all Scholarship and Award winners!  Recognition plaques will be on display in Professional 160.

Also recognized were the 2013 Senior Graduating Class.  Congratulations to all of our 4th year students!!

Sports Medicine Athletic Training Student, Spenser Deeken has been elected President for the District 5 Student Leadership Council Executive Board!!!!  The Student Leadership Council Executive Board’s mission is to promote student involvement by enhancing communication, increasing educational opportunities, developing leadership and furthering the athletic training profession within District V.

Spenser explains that now as President, she is excited to make efforts to increase the involvement of students within District V and also to help develop more fun and educational opportunities for students at the district meeting.

When asked about the actions that led Spenser to her new role as President, she explains that there have been a number of ways she has been involved with the District V council to this point.  She explains that last academic year, Amber Wilson, SMAT 2012 alumni and former council member on the District 5 Student Leadership Council Board encouraged Spenser to apply for a position.  In the Fall of 2012, Deeken applied for and as elected to serve as one of the two secretaries for the 2012-2013 school year.  During this time, she participated in monthly District conference calls and had a large part in planning the student section of the District meeting in Tulsa.  As this term neared an end, she felt that her experience, along with her enthusiasm would enable her to be a great President!

Spenser is excited about beginning her term as President and states “I am looking forward to working with the new council members and making this an enjoyable year!”

The Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department congratulates Spenser Deeken on her achievement and looks forward to seeing her in action as the new President!   She will be replacing Stephanie Swartzwelder, 2013 SMAT graduate who has made significant contributions in her term and represented District 5 Student Leadership Council very well.

Assistant Athletic Trainer and Assistant Director of Athletic Medical and Rehabilitation, Shannon Derricks, spoke to the second year practicum course yesterday on Kinesiotape.  Shannon provided an introductory discussion and demonstration of basic kinesiotape techniques including I, Y, and fans.

Students were able to ask questions regarding application guidelines, increasing popularity in the news especially related to the Olympic Games, and also asked if there was valid research affiliated with kinesiotape.   An engaging discussion lead by Shannon provided students with a basic understanding of what kinesiotape does, what it does not do, and appropriate application when used.

Yesterday was a proud day for the staff and faculty in the Department of Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.  All 4th year students participated in the seventeenth annual College of Health and Human Services Student Research Symposium.

The purpose of the symposium is to promote student research as well as provide a forum for students to gain experience presenting their scholarly activities – Dr. Helen Reid Dean, College of Health and Human Services.  The symposium is an opportunity to celebrate our students’ outstanding work and to acknowledge the faculty members who serve as mentors.

The undergraduate student research done by the 4th year students begins in the fall term.  Students developed their research ideas within their group and were lead by their faculty advisor in submitting IRB proposal, setting up research studies, recruiting participants and conducting research.

Work for the students continued into the spring term as the students finished research, conducted statistical analysis of their data, and created a poster or oral presentation to display at the symposium.

The students hard work and dedication concluded yesterday with their presentations during the symposium.  The staff and faculty of the department could not have been more proud of our students throughout their research and in their presentations.

The posters displaying each groups research projects will be displayed in the Professional Building, Lab Room 160 during the 2013-2014 school year.

Well done students!

As part of the ATC 425, Contemporary Topics in Athletic Training, Dr. Michael Hudson leads discussions with students over current issues in the athletic training profession and also provides opportunities for students to learn about new treatment advances in the field.  The class is structured to be an interactive learning class where students are exposed to current issues and problems facing athletic training and it is also through this class that students research legislative issues culminating in a visit to the Capitol Building in Jefferson City, MO.

This year Dr. Hudson was able to have Dr. Jeremy Reed, DO present to the ATC 425 class at Missouri State University on alternative minimally-invasive medical practices.   Dr. Reed is board certified in both family and sports medicine, and founder of Innovative Sports Medicine here in Springfield.  He is also very familiar with the field of Athletic Training and employees a full time Certified Athletic Trainer, Faye Hudson, MS, ATC to work along side him in his office.

The lecture primarily focused on regenerative therapies; the use of autologous stem cells (from a patients own bone marrow or fat) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections.  These cutting edge techniques are utilized in the treatment of common sports injuries such as rotator cuff tears, ligamentous sprains, and cases of joint osteoarthritis.  Dr.Reed shared personal success stories and his reasoning behind choosing this type of practice as well as presented current literature noting the effectiveness of these non-traditional therapies.

Upon reflecting on the experience of speaking to students in the Sports Medicine Athletic Training Department, Dr. Reed said that he really enjoyed educating these up and coming health care providers on cutting-edge treatments and their role in the future of the practice of sports medicine.

Last Saturday, April 21st, the Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department was excited to be part of the 2013 Spring Showcase at Missouri State University.

The purpose of the showcase is for high junior, senior and transfer students and their families to come explore Missouri State University.  There are opportunities to meet faculty and students from different departments, ask questions, receive information, and take tours of the campus.

The SMAT Department values chances to meet with prospective students and families in order to educate individuals on the field of athletic training and the variety of opportunities the profession can lead to.

  4th Year Athletic Training Students participated in the first of two casting days yesterday during Clinical Practicum VI.  During this, the students learned about casting supplies, and applied a short arm cast, and used the cast saw to remove a cast.

Casting and splinting is a skill that is frequently used by Certified Athletic Trainers especially in the Physician Extender role.  Therefore, the Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department felt it was important to expose students to an introduction of the techniques and application of skills.

4th year student, Josh Bell said “I really enjoyed this experience because I have seen casting before but I never actually got to do it myself and this is something that I will probably be doing next year in my role at Athletic Medical and Rehabilitation.”

The students had a positive response to this hands on learning lesson and even had quite a bit of fun in the lab.  After casts were applied, many were giving each other cast high-fives and challenging each other to cast arm wrestling.!!

This afternoon the Sports Medicine and Atheltic Training Department hosted a reception party for Gary Ward.  Gary was inducted into the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA) Hall of Fame last week during the annual District meeting.

We are pleased to report there was a wonderful turnout to honor Gary for this event!

Those that attended included the President of the University, MSU faculty/staff from many different departments, alumni and current students from both SMAT and Physical Therapy, Greenwood affiliates, SMAT program affiliates, athletic trainers from the Springfield area, and friends of Gary. 

Thank you to all that came by and joined in the celebration!

Following the party, Gary commented that while he didn’t see why there was such a fuss over his induction, but it did mean a lot to him that so many people took the time to come by and share in the celebration. 

A few weeks ago, the SMAT department was invited to attend a Movement Restoration Project workshop for the Mercy Springfield, MO Athletic Trainers.  Brandon Hetzler, Karen Rakowski, and Jim Raynor lead the group through a 2-day workshop where they first reviewed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and focused attention on consistency among evaluators in the screen.  Following this, they introduced their Movement Restoration Project which includes a look at the neurodevelopmental sequence in regards to movement and postures to develop intervention improvements in patients.  The workshop also included a laboratory Postural Based Intervention including soft tissue work, mobility and stability.

The concepts of using the FMS screen to identify stability and mobility limitations and then clinically intervene with the Movement Restoration theories is a foundation of the new Masters of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) graduate program at MSU.  The staff/faculty in the SMAT department was honored to be a part of this workshop and feel a consistent and full understanding of the FMS and Movement Restoration Project is crucial in linking classroom practice to clinical application.  Personally, I feel this was a breakthrough in gathering ATs currently in clinical practice (HS, SportsMed clinic, and Healthtracks) and those ATs in education and uniting them in a consistent understanding of foundational concepts  (SMAT Dept – Kristin Tivener).

If you would like to learn more information on the content of the workshop, check out  Movement Restoration Project on Facebook.  For more information on the MSAT program at MSU, check out http://sportsmed.missouristate.edu/