Discover Leslie Bennett's insights on being an exceptional athletic training preceptor, her passion for the profession, and advice for aspiring ATCs.
Q: What makes you an exceptional preceptor, and why do students consistently choose to learn from you?
A: I’ve been practicing since 2009, having graduated from TXST and then joining MHH. I became a preceptor in 2016 when I joined UST, where I now serve as the Director of Sports Medicine and Senior Woman Administrator. This allows students to experience both the hospital and university aspects of my work. I aim to teach them how to advocate for the athletic training profession.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being a preceptor?
A: My favorite part is the daily interaction with students. I enjoy watching them grow throughout their athletic training careers, from start to finish. It keeps me active and engaged, always moving and lifting equipment alongside them.
Q: What inspired you to become an athletic trainer (AT)?
A: My journey began in high school; I was a student seeking an activity before basketball season. I've always wanted to work in healthcare as a “giver at heart,” specifically with an active and motivated population. What truly drives me is the opportunity to inspire athletes to become their best selves. I also focus on imparting life lessons and common sense, helping them mature into adults.
Q: Amanii, what made Leslie a good preceptor for you?
A: Amanii stated that my personality made me a good preceptor. I am very welcoming and provide a safe space for students to be hands-on and make mistakes. I added that I aim to give students ample opportunities to practice and learn before they are on their own, without overwhelming them.
Q: Amanii, is there anything Leslie could have done better to help you?
A: Amanii reflected that she is quiet and reserved and needs more one-on-one discussions to talk through things. She also acknowledged that she needs to be more verbal and proactive in asking for help when she needs it.
Q: What is the most valuable lesson you've learned as a preceptor from students?
A: Teaching and conducting skills checks with students is the best thing I've learned as a preceptor. This process keeps me fresh, on my toes, and ensures I stay current with the latest practices and information in the field.
Q: Jackson, what are the differences in expectations between your first and second-year students?
A: As Jackson, I believes in a hands-on approach from the start, as students might not get such opportunities at other sites. First-year students receive more guided practice; for example, I'd bring them along for a concussion evaluation to observe and ask questions. By their second year, I expect them to lead first-year students and attempt any evaluation, acting as mentors.
Q: What are your general expectations for first-year and second-year students?
A: For first-year students, my main expectation is willingness to work. If you're comfortable with ankle evaluations, I'll provide those opportunities, and we'll build from there. For second-year students, I expect them to mentor first-years and be ready to attempt any evaluation. I added three expectations: be ready for anything, be a sponge, and be flexible. I also stressed not to complain about menial tasks, as students are paying to be prepared.
Q: How do you balance your professional and personal life as an athletic trainer?
A: As a single AT, my life is simpler, though my lifestyle might be a reason I'm single. Initially, it was challenging to advocate for myself, but now I set strict boundaries with athletes and coaches. My Athletic Director is supportive and helps enforce these boundaries. Jackson emphasizes communication with all parties, especially his wife, using a shared calendar to manage busier seasons and ensure understanding.
Q: What are the unique aspects of navigating the athletic training profession as a Black woman?
A: As a female AT, I must be prepared to stand my ground against those who doubt my capabilities. It's important to demonstrate competence in all aspects of the job. Being a Black female AT also means representing diversity and understanding the unique challenges some athletes face, allowing me to advocate for those who cannot. A downside is that my directness can sometimes be perceived as abrasive. It was tougher initially, and challenging moments still occur, but it's crucial to document incidents as perception is key.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring athletic trainers starting their first year as ATCs?
A: I advise networking extensively, as your current professional pool is small. Seek out mentors and build relationships with people at different levels and settings. Attend medical timeouts and district meetings to connect with others. Never assume you know everything; it's okay to say, “I don't know, but I will find out.”
This episode of the Sports Medicine Broadcast, hosted by Jeremy Jackson and joined by student medics Ben Stephenson, Caroline Hayes, and Katie Gibson, features NATA President AJ Duffy discussing the future of the Athletic Trainer profession and leadership.
AJ Duffy‘s treasured memories from his Athletic Trainer career are not specific injury recoveries, but rather the lasting relationships built over 42 years with student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues. He stresses that these connections enhance the medical care provided, especially in embedded settings like military, performing arts, and athletic environments, where professionals may work with individuals for long periods.
The Path to Leadership and NATA Membership
Career Start:AJ Duffy‘s interest in becoming an Athletic Trainer began in high school and was cemented on a recruiting trip to the University of Michigan, where he was mentored by figures like Lindsey McLean, the “father of the certification exam”.
First Leadership Role: His leadership journey started as a state liaison officer, where he initiated the creation of the first national directory of leaders in the profession due to the lack of an easy way to connect before the internet. He describes volunteerism and leadership in the NATA as a “vortex” that moves the profession forward.
Value of NATA: Duffy explains that NATA membership is crucial for continuing education and, more importantly, professional advocacy. As an example of advocacy, he cited the NATA's successful federal effort to prevent the suspension and eventually expand the Army's holistic health program, which utilizes embedded Athletic Trainers. Additionally, the NATA establishes guidelines to enhance compensation and positions across all career sectors.
Advice for Future Athletic Trainers
International Career Pathways: For those seeking international opportunities, AJ Duffy noted that international athletic therapy is a growing field. Opportunities exist in places like Britain, Ireland, and Spain (which has two CAATE-approved programs). He advises new professionals to put in the “legwork” to find openings in various international sports and secondary schools.
Focus and Communication: Duffy's primary advice for young Athletic Trainers is to be a sponge, be unafraid, and put the phone down to stay focused on the conversation or the injured individual. He emphasized the critical nature of communication and having “conversations that matter,” noting two quotes: “Are you prepared to have a conversation that matters?” and “Buried feelings Never Die”. He encourages students to ask questions, but only at appropriate times, not during a critical moment like an injury evaluation.
Chronic Back Pain is probably the least favorite for most clinicians, but it is one of the most reported reasons for office visits. Brent Ness joins the Sports Medicine Broadcast to discuss how Aclarion is helping provide imaging that can identify biomarkers and find where the pain is actually coming from.
Brent, recall your earliest interaction with Athletic Trainers.
My kids played sports in high school and had injuries that the AT Staff took care of.
Give us the highlights of NOCIScan
Taking info from an MRI, measures the quantity of different biomarkers within the spine and disc.
Compares the biomarkers to other discs within the patient's spine. Structural integrity and acid levels
Disc material can be filled with acids, which can cause pain
MRI can look normal if these acids are present.
Nerves can grow into the disc with a herniated disc or degeneration.
Disc degeneration is not just in “old” people, but also in people in their 20s, 30s, early 40s, and volleyball players
Gives the treating physician more information
Spectroscopy: same machine as MRI, different sequence that the tech would use. 1.5 or 3 T works
Proteoglycans levels
Result reports usually take just a few minutes
Currently in 23 markets in the US, still a cash pay service at the moment or done through clinical trials. Working on coming to Houston
How does this apply to the currently active athletic population?
Football, hockey, pole vault, volleyball
Ben likes to look at all of the options for Athletic Trainers. Are there any Athletic Trainers currently employed by Aclarion?
Always looking for motivated people. Yes
Lower-income high school Athletic Trainer – How do you feel I can best help my patients with back pain?
Start with the traditional treatments, rest, ice, NSAIDs. If very painful for a long period of time, if they move on to get an MRI, ask for MRSpectroscopy or NOCIScan to see more. They get with the imaging center to ensure the tech can get a single voxel spectroscopy setup on the machine.
What is keeping more surgeons from adopting this type of MRI?
Still new, working on moving into more hospitals. Cash pay vs. insurance is a big roadblock that many surgeons face.
Hopefully, one day we can work toward also being used on the knee
$1450 list price (usually discounted as well) – patient pay model on the website, acquire through info@aclarion.com first
Contact Us:
Aclarion – aclarion.com
Brent: info@aclarion.com
Ben –
Shelby – Shelbyngaytan@gmail.com
Jeremy – info@sportsmedicinebroadcast.com
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Learn about scoliosis rehab with Lauren Ferrante, PT, DPT, OCS. Explore home exercises, manual therapies, and AT tools for scoliosis.
Q: What are the most important home exercises for scoliosis?
A: Key home exercises focus on spinal mobility, especially for those who sit frequently. Cat-cows and thoracic rotation are crucial. Depending on comfort level, core activation exercises like supine marches or dead-bug isometrics are beneficial. When supine, tactile cues help maintain spinal symmetry. Bridges or modified side planks are good starting points, with progression as needed.
Q: Which scoliosis treatment method is best for high school age, considering the Schroth Method helps the 10-15 age group?
A: The Schroth Method can be used for older populations, but it is generally less effective for high school age individuals compared to younger ones. For this age group, focusing on functional core strengthening can also be beneficial.
Q: Are Pilates or yoga safe and recommended for young athletes with scoliosis?
A: Yes, Pilates and yoga are highly recommended for individuals with scoliosis, including young athletes. These activities promote continued mobility and strength, which are vital for managing scoliosis. The most important aspect is to find an activity they enjoy and consistently engage in it.
Q: What manual therapies are effective for scoliosis, and is dry needling helpful?
A: Effective manual therapies include thoracic gapping and rib mobilizations, particularly in a side-lying position to encourage rib expansion. The specific therapy depends on the patient's individual needs and curve patterns. Dry needling is not frequently utilized for scoliosis treatment according to the provided information.
Q: How often are lordotic curves seen in individuals with thoracic scoliosis?
A: Lordotic curves are quite common in individuals with thoracic scoliosis. If a person has a mid-thoracic curve, their body often adjusts by developing a compensatory lordotic curve. Therefore, this presentation is observed frequently.
Q: How do current trends, such as phone and gaming use, contribute to setbacks or overcorrection in scoliosis?
A: The impact of phone and gaming trends on scoliosis setbacks depends on individual patient motivation and activity levels. For athletes, it's often less of an issue, as it's unrealistic to maintain one position for extended periods. For minimally active individuals, parental encouragement to move around every hour, regardless of the activity, is important.
Q: How often are active populations braced for scoliosis?
A: Braces for scoliosis are typically prescribed by pediatric orthopedic specialists. For junior high and high school-aged children, as they mature, the need for braces often decreases, and they may not be in them very much.
Q: What are the three most important practical tools for Athletic Trainers (ATs) regarding scoliosis?
A: The three most important practical tools for Athletic Trainers when addressing scoliosis are observation for signs of scoliosis, implementing exercises on a mat or table, and utilizing a wall for exercises with minimal equipment.
ACL Reconstruction, Repair or Regrowth…which is right for you? Chris Antonelli has worked with a lot of BEAR implant patients for several years. Thank you, Miach Orthopedics, for pushing progress.
Chris Share your AT Story?
Purdue for undergrad
Baseball injuries led me to discover sports medicine
Worked with a bunch of sports in college
During undergrad
Offer outreach AT services
Bare bones:
What is BEAR, and why should an athlete choose it?
It is not a reconstruction; it is a repair technique.
Decreased pain
Less swelling
Earlier function
Feel better earlier
The Ben version:
Is skeletal maturity a strict requirement? How does it look in adolescents?
It is now approved for skeletally immature
Exercises? Any differences in 0-6weeks?
First 4 weeks, they are partially weight-bearing instead of full weight-bearing
The ligament is weaker at first
Limit the flexion range of motion
They will be braced for 6 weeks, and then a functional brace
Does it affect quad inhibition?
They feel really good, really early.
Quads are fantastic, really on.
What does the evidence say about timelines and re-tear compared to autografts?
After the first 12 weeks, it is pretty much the same as others, with a 9-12 month full return to participation.
Slower, more conservative.
BFR and NMES for the first 8 weeks
Once they have a good ROM, load them with an open kinetic chain.
LAQ with BFR.
12 weeks, I do some isometric testing
Patient education –
Educate and measure swelling
Unable to get to full TKE
It looks like meet boiled spaghetti, but we want it to become unboiled
What about 5-10 years out?
We still need more cases and research,h but it looks good with what we have
What research is lacking that we should keep an eye on?
Specific ACL autograft techniques vs BEAR
Is BEAR becoming more accessible? Does insurance affect who can get it?
No insurance issues with BEAR implants
It is being sought out by a lot of people, and until recently, it was not available for high school students.
More surgeons are learning the technique and process.
AT the end of the Bench by Dr. Robert Bradley is a good read for prospective and new Athletic Trainers to the profession. With 32 years of experience as an AT, Dr. Bradley has some advice and wisdom for those who are not so new to the profession as well.
Robert, what is one of your favorite stories to share from your AT career?
When I was a student, the sidelines were muddy, and it was pouring rain. SE Missouri University
Assisting a softball player after recovering from a stroke at the age of 19. She was able return to play eventually.
Take us back to the very beginning. What is your first memory of an Athletic Trainer?
I was cut from the basketball team as a junior in high school. I went to a cramer first aider camp and the rest is history.
What made you become an Athletic Trainer?
My father was a coach, and I understood that side of the game.
I did not enjoy the competition part.
This was the best of both worlds for me.
How long until the “honeymoon” period was over for you?
Worked at a high school in Saint Louis
Then went to college athletics
When I stepped into the administrative role, things changed for me.
How do we stay in the “honeymoon phase”?
Depends on your desires
If you just want to be in the traditional role and avoid the admin work, then you may stay in that phase forever.
Why did you switch?
I had a talent for organization and administration.
I still cover sporting events at the local college.
What do you wish you knew going into AT?
The chapters that were most fun to write
Coaches – I want ATs to understand the coach's perspective
