Life on the sidelines

"After attending every practice, these students will never see any game time. They’ll never throw for a touchdown, or make the winning shot. They spend the majority of their time on the sidelines watching the action as it unfolds. Yet these students are an integral component of Mustangs Athletics.

These are student trainers.

They gather in a Thames Hall lab on a Monday afternoon and sit eagerly listening to coordinator of athletic therapy services Rob Walsh. Today’s lesson: compartment syndrome and how to properly recognize it. Yet in this class, the importance of taking notes is not only to ace the course, but also so they can better treat Western Mustang athletes.

“It’s part of an injuries program that they’re in,” Walsh explains. “It’s sort of a stream within kinesiology, so it’s not like a volunteer thing, it’s part of their program.”"

Read More...

Head injuries go to House of Commons

"Queen’s Athletic Therapy co-ordinator Vicky Wiltshire said it’s important to promote concussion education. She said the higher number of reported concussions among Queen’s athletes might have to do with an increased awareness about the dangers of head injuries.

“It’s really hard to tell whether there are more concussions happening or we’re just seeing more because we’re better educated,” she said, adding that coaches don’t say “it’s just a bell-ringer” anymore.

“People are at least starting to open their eyes,” she said.

Athletic Therapy follows the Concussion in Sport Group guidelines to evaluate concussed athletes, concluding daily check-ups until symptoms clear up. If symptoms persist, athletes are referred to sports medicine physicians.

Wiltshire said most athletes recover within a week but some have suffered long-term effects.

“We have a very small number of athletes who, weeks later, can’t sit through a lecture without getting a headache,” she said. “It can be scary and really debilitating … sometimes you don’t recover from it.”

Read More...

Mount Royal athletic therapist heads to Pan American Games

"It takes time, training and years of dedication for athletes to make it to the world stage and compete for their country at the Pan American Games. 

Little do people know, that much like athletes it takes years of dedication and preparation to their profession for athletic therapists to be able to represent their country at the games.

Khatija Westbrook, head athletic therapist at Mount Royal University, feels honoured to work alongside world-class athletes. She was recently chosen to go to the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, from Oct. 14-30 that features athletes from North, South and Central America.

"We all are excited to help the athletes excel," she says. "It is quite an honour to be given the opportunity to help them reach their dreams.""
...
"Brennan Mahon, a student athletic therapist who works with the MRU Cougars men's basketball team, says that no one ever thinks about how difficult it is for the trainers to make it to world- level sports events such as the Pan Am Games.

"It is very impressive that she gets to go," Mahon says. "As difficult as it is for an athlete to make it, I think the ratio for athletic therapists they allow is similar — so few get to go.""
...
"Joelle Sexsmith, a fourth year MRU student in the athletic therapy program believes that the officials made the right selection.


"This is such an amazing opportunity for her. She is so brilliant. I know she will do a good job.""

Read More...

The athletic therapy clinic in Concordia's new PERFORM Centre is now open

"People suffering from an activity-related injury can now look to the PERFORM Centre for relief. A new state-of-the-art athletic therapy clinic is now open on Concordia’s Loyola Campus and ready to deliver prompt and professional care to staff and faculty, students as well as the general public while offering exercise science students an innovative internship experience.

“The mission of our clinic is to provide students with challenging clinical situations that will give them valuable know-how for when they become athletic therapists,” explains Deborah Cross, PERFORM’s athletic therapy manager. “We are training interns to return our patients back to play or work as quickly and as safely as possible.”All athletic therapy services and treatments are developed and delivered by internship students in their final year of the exercise science program. Certified athletic therapists supervise and mentor the interns to ensure that they benefit from a practical and real-world educational experience while clients of the clinic receive the best possible treatment. 

When members of the public come to the athletic therapy clinic with torn ligaments or sprained ankles, they are met by a student intern who will gather information on their medical history, do a physical assessment and arrive at a treatment plan. The student will then discuss the plan with their supervisor who will ensure that all appropriate tests and enquiries have been made. When a proper course of action is agreed upon, the treatment will proceed with ultrasound, heat, manual therapy, exercise or whichever methods have been decided upon. 

Mylène Saucier, one of PERFORM’s three new athletic therapy instructors, believes that the centre’s approach to internships goes beyond what is normally offered to students in this field. “Most placements focus on observation and following instruction,” says Saucier. “What we’re doing is guiding students as they develop the course of action to be taken and then following this through from assessment to treatment to discharge.”

Moreover, instructors, students and clients will benefit from the clinic’s first-class equipment. In addition to clinical tables, ultrasound and the like, the facility also houses a SwimEx pool — one of only three in the city. The pool allows therapists and students to deliver treatments to those suffering from weight bearing issues or who are recovering from surgeries. It also enables people with multiple sclerosis or arthritis to exercise more comfortably."

Read More...

Olds College offers athletic therapy services

"New to Olds College for the 2011/2012 season is the addition of Athletic Therapy services to the athletics department. The athletes will have access to Athletic Therapists in the clinic and some coverage at tournaments as well. Rebecca Spiers will be providing most of the services as well as Jeff Roy assisting in the clinic and covering some tournaments. As Olds College moves toward ACAC competition in the near future, it is important that our athletes be exposed to the proper care and prevention for their injuries.

Collegiate Sports Medicine (Olds) is new to Olds and looks forward to working together with Olds College to keep the athletes competing. All services are available to the general public and they also have massage therapy and physician services available."

Read More...

Concordia University PERFORM Centre Athletic Therapy Programs

In addition to the Athletic Therapy Clinic, PERFORM will offer seven publicly accessible programs supervised by Concordia academic and research staff and run by athletic therapy internship students. The following is a list of programs in development throughout 2011-2012:

• Assessment and Reconditioning for Oncology Patients
• Concussion Rehabilitation Program
• Lower Extremity Injury Prevention Program for Female (12-20 years of age) Athletes
• Neck Dysfunction (whiplash, etc.) and Orthopaedic Pain Management
• Orthopaedic Aquatic Therapy Program
• Performance Yoga
• Preventative and Rehabilitation Strategies for Visual and Performing Arts

For information please call Deborah Cross, Manager, Athletic Therapy, at 514-848-2424 ext. 5712 or email:perform.atinfo@artsci.concordia.ca

Read More...

Women's soccer training camp opens with fitness testing

"The WolfPack women’s soccer team opened training camp on Monday (August 15). The first two days were fitness testing. Heres how things looked.

Kevin (Brechin) works on Chloe McAuley"

Read More...

Laurentian wrong to close clinic

Wendy Hampson's Letter to the Editor of The Sudbury Star::

"I feel it necessary to clarify a few facts that have been swirling in the media since the closure of the Voyageur Athletic Therapy Clinic at Laurentian University on June 29.

The university has stated in the media that it was surprised to discover Laurentian was the only university left that fully subsidizes a clinic.

Preliminary research indicates that of 26 responses to date to a survey of 51 universities in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, 26 universities fund an on-campus athletic therapy clinic. Eleven clinics are 100% funded by the university with no expectation to generate revenue.

Thirteen are funded by the university with some expectation to generate revenue."

Read More...

Job Opportunity: Professor, Sheridan College

Sheridan is looking for an outstanding individual to join our faculty team. The successful candidate will teach a range of courses in the Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences with a focus on Athletic Therapy. There are a wide range of courses that the candidate may have expertise in, including; anatomy, manual therapy, assessment & rehabilitation techniques, taping, biomechanics, ergonomics, exercise physiology.

Responsibilities

Sheridan faculty provide academic leadership to programs and courses within their areas of expertise and contribute to the creation of a learning-centred environment where students can develop to their full potential. They also contribute to College, Faculty and program excellence by collaborating on a variety of initiatives such as new program development, applied research and alternative delivery strategies.

Salary Range: $57,791 - $100,183 (based on relevant educational qualifications and experience)
Application Deadline: August 31, 2011
Start Date: January 2012

See the Job Description...

Letter from Sudbury Gladiators to LU

"Mr Giroux:

My name is André Paquette and I am a Certified Athletic Therapist working for Lifemark Physiotherapy and the Sudbury Gladiators Football Club. I was recently informed of the closing of the Voyageur Athletic Therapy Clinic and the dismissal of my colleague, Wendy Hampson. 

Being from Sudbury, Ontario, I met with Wendy whom was fewer and far between the only Athletic Therapist within this community. She had an impact on my decision to continue my studies within the highly rewarding Athletic Therapy profession. I decided to attend the University of Winnipeg for my journey to become a Certified Athletic Therapist.

My clinical internship at the University of Winnipeg Athletic Therapy Centre, which is fully funded by the University, has allowed me to apply my knowledge, gain experience and expand my skills while under the direct supervision of Athletic Therapists, whom were my professors and future colleagues. The University of Winnipeg Athletic Therapy Centre is a teaching and treating facility, where the three Athletic Therapists at the time, and recently expanded to five Athletic Therapists, share their wealth of knowledge, thereby educating, demonstrating and allowing athletic therapy students to practice their hands-on application of techniques."

Read More...

Job Opportunity: Red Deer College

The Athletic Therapist is responsible for the overall health and welfare of the student-athlete, with particular emphasis upon prevention of injuries, first aid and treatment of injuries, and rehabilitation of injuries. Specific duties include:

• Consulting with coaches regarding problems of physical conditioning to prevent injury occurrence. 
• Pre-practice and pre-game taping and wrapping. 
• Proper selection and fitting of equipment in conjunction with equipment managers and coaches. 
• Developing and conducting monthly in-service educational workshops. 
• Applying first aid when present at games and practices. 
• Referring all seriously injured athletes to specialized medical personnel as appropriate. 
• Under the supervision of team physicians, conducting therapy services to allow for return to partial or full participation in physical activity. 
• Maintenance of injury and treatment records. 
• Knowledge of insurance procedures and primary responsibility for initiating insurance claims. 
• Maintaining medical forms 
• Conducting Drug Education seminar for athletes 
• Knowledge of CCES (permitted amd banned substances) 
• Recruiting of student trainers for each team including pre-season training of student trainers, continual training and education of student trainers 

Closing Date: 08-08-2011

See the Job Description...

Former Olympian speaks out against LU job cuts

"Laurentian University's decision to declare 20 jobs "redundant" is making serious waves, from the Laurentian University Staff Union (LUSU) to 1984 Canadian Olympic double gold medalist Alex Baumann.

The job redundancies contributed to a balanced budget for the university, but also meant the closure of the Voyageur Athletic Therapy Clinic.

Baumann sent a letter to Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux expressing his "deep regret" after hearing of the decision to close the clinic.
In the letter, Baumann credits the clinic as being an integral part of his training prior to winning Olympic gold and added: "If there is any way to reverse this position, I would be fully supportive."

Among those found by the university to be redundant was Wendy Hampson, head athletic therapist who worked at the clinic for 33 years, according to LUSU president Tracy Oost.""

Read More...

Queen's Coach Christian-Macfarlane to represents Canada at upcoming FISU Summer Games

"Canadian Interuniversity Sport, in conjunction with Volleyball Canada, announced Tuesday, that Queen’s women’s volleyball head coach Joely Christian-Macfarlane will serve as an assistant coach for Canada at the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China."

...

"The head coach for Canada is Alain Pelletier from Laval University. Assistant coaches Lee Carter from Brandon and Christian-Macfarlane from Queen's – who will also act as team leader - round out the support staff, along with athletic therapist Christine Johnston."

Read More...

Student reaction to closing of LU athletic therapy clinic

"Myriam Benoit is a student-athlete. She planned to intern at the Voyageur Athletic Therapy Clinic at Laurentian University. She and other students are concerned about the loss of the clinic."

Listen to the Interview...

Laurentian should keep therapy clinic open

"We are writing to express our concern about the closure of the athletic therapy clinic at Laurentian University.

First and foremost, this clinic is an absolutely essential service for all Laurentian athletes, be they physical education majors or members of a varsity team such as the basketball team. They need an onsite facility where they can be treated expertly and immediately in order that they can return as quickly as possible to their studies or to the team.

A student should not have to look off-campus for therapy, since a typical treatment at $55 and up is too costly and it usually takes two to three weeks to get an appointment.

I also fear that visiting teams may be hesitant to bring their athletes to a facility where there is no medical support for them."

Read More...

Closing clinic at LU a mistake

"Gymnasts stumble and don't land the dismount. One defensive error and a goal is scored.

Quality athletes will correct these errors and move forward.

Which opens a door to Laurentian University to admitting it was a mistake to close the Athletic Therapy Clinic and find a way to reinstate its therapists.

The cuts came, ironically, in June, which was Athletic Therapy Month in Canada. The emphasis this year was on the prevention and treatment of head injuries.

Therapists Wendy Hampson and Shawn Charron were released, along with 23 other Laurentian employees, many of them long-time.

Charron has since opened up in his space, Athletic Therapy Services North, at 705-690-7512."
...
"This week, the assistant athletic therapist for the Calgary Flames delivered a harsh letter denouncing the "ignorant" decision to close the clinic. Schad Richea asks the university to reconsider and find other ways to fund the clinic to best serve student-athletes.

As he says, "Jarome Iginla doesn't seem me as redundant."

So, mistakes happen. Athletes get back up and they fix things, make it right."

Read More...

Schad Richea's Letter to President of Laurentian University

July 14, 2011
Dominic Giroux
President, Laurentian University
Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6
Canada


Mr. Giroux:

My name is Schad Richea. Currently, I am the Assistant Athletic Therapist for the Calgary Flames. Previously to my work here, I was the Head Athletic Therapist at the University of Calgary. I recently have become aware of the terrible situation with Laurentian Athletics and the dismissal of my colleague Wendy Hampson CAT(C). This letter is meant to show the deplorable situation your Athletics Department is now in with this very ignorant decision.

Athletic Therapy services for varsity athletics is redundant at Laurentian? Who is going to coordinate and cover the on-court/field/ice practices and games for your student athletes? Who is going to accept this liability when someone is hurt with nobody there? Who is going to coordinate the pre-season medicals for your student athletes? Do you think you can simply “piece work” this type of care? Who is going to help your coaches decide who is in or out of the line-up? Who is going to mentor Athletic Therapy students with experiential learning? Who is going to provide a very important link between the community and Laurentian University with regards to being a voice for Athletic Therapy expertise for active citizens of Sudbury? Wendy Hampson is world renown and a great leader! This decision seems purely political and budgetary with no prudence as to other models which are best for the student athlete at Laurentian.

Here with the Flames, the NHL athletes have the means to access an array of specialist providers: Sport Medicine Physicians, Orthopedic Surgeons, Dentists, nutritionists, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc. However, these medical professionals do not deal with the day to day activities, treatments, rehab, coordination of care, etc. This is paramount to compete at a maximum level. We handle all of this! Jarome Iginla doesn’t see me as redundant!

There are many ways to fund an Athletic Therapy program for Laurentian University varsity athletics. By simply “gassing it” and patching you have given up and your student athletes will suffer. Also, you have passed the buck for Laurentian Athletics medical coverage to other CIS universities in your conference (it would seem both home and away). I plead you take a look at this situation and tactfully evaluate its impact.


Sincerely:

Schad Richea MEd.,BSc., ATC, CAT(C)
Assistant Athletic Therapist - Calgary Flames Hockey Club

Athletic therapist left reeling from LU job cuts

The recent job cuts at Laurentian University has resulted in the closure of the Voyageur Athletic Therapy clinic and the termination of athletic therapists, Wendy Hampson and Shawn Charron.  Below are Wendy's comments on the situation:

"I have been left reeling from this decision and it has been the most painful experience I have ever had to live through. One moment you are functioning normally and making plans for the week-end, and the next you are tossed out the door and kicked to the curb like you are a criminal. After 33 years of bringing international recognition to the university, doing research, generating significant revenue for the clinic, placements for course credits for the students, all the volunteer hours I have put in over the years, etc., this is how I have been rewarded for my loyalty? It is truly shocking! 

And of course, the student athletes will be lost. The University cannot contract this service out so how are they going to provide pre-practise taping, on field care, post injury assessment, etc.? And rehab is going to be very difficult for them to access. The university is geographically an island so it takes 20 minutes by bus at least to get off campus to any other clinic. So what was once before free and extremely accessible treatment for them, now they will have to pay and travel for it. Faculty and staff who used to access it easily, will now have to take more time away from work to get off campus for their treatment. I don't think the U. factored in these intangibles in their decision. 

Students, faculty and the general public are very angry and are writing the following senior administraors. So if you can post this information, then please do so. Thanks for your help. 

Dominic Giroux, President president@laurentian.ca http://www.facebook.com/dgiroux1
And...
Carol McAulay Vice President, Administration cmcaulay@laurentian.ca
And...
Floyd Laughren Chair, Board of Governors floydlaughren@hotmail.com
And...my union LUSU@laurentian.ca 

It is a sad day for Laurentian athletics that is all I can say."

Click here to listen to the CBC Morning North radio interview with Wendy Hampson

Sign the petition

LU cuts 25 jobs

"Oost said students have been affected by the cuts. A good example is the complete elimination of the Athletic Therapy Clinic, the press release said.

“How can eliminating a service that is necessary for injured athletes, not affect service to students?” Oost said. “I don’t know how Laurentian expects to continue recruiting top athletes when the service won’t be there for them. Are parents going to send promising, young athletes to a school where injuries will not get immediate treatment, and the student will be told to either go to Emergency, or try to get into a local clinic?” 

She said it is also a service that university offers to the community. 

“Paying patients from the community are going to show up for their appointments only to find the door locked and a sign indicating that the service has been discontinued,” Oost said. "

Read More (Northern Life)...

Read More (The Sudbury Star)...

Guelph’s MacDougall takes aim at Olympic berth

"Her gym workouts were set up by Alicia Crelinsten, the head athletic therapist at the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario.

“She gives me archery-specific exercises so I look like a silly person in the gym with my rubber bands and my medicine balls, but if people took the time to come up to me, they’d realize how difficult the exercises I’m doing actually are,” MacDougall says. “I have a whole list of archery-specific exercises I have to do and I have a cardio set that I have to do and I have a weight set that I have to do. I do those two to three times a week.”"

Read More...