Adventures in Sports Medicine

The faculty of the SLU Athletic Training Education Program and the Billiken Athletic Staff hosted a program in Sports Medicine for the Adventures In Medicine and Science (AIMS) Program at Chaifetz Arena.  The students received hands-on instruction in techniques to learn more about athletic training and sports medicine.

AIMS students observe as SLU Athletic Trainer Jonathan Burch conducts a Swim-Ex workout with Men's Basketball Student-Athlete Brian Conklin.

The AIMS Program is an outreach program of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.  For more than 20 years, AIMS has offered summer workshops for high-achieving students who have an interest in becoming medical professionals.  These experiential programs feature observations of live surgery, extensive study of human anatomy, and exposure to multiple facets of careers in medicine.  The workshops are an outstanding way to help young people determine their future plans for study in college and beyond.

Faculty for the programs include surgeons and medical professionals from across the community who conduct laboratories, lectures, tours and dissections.  Students eligible for admission are entering their junior or senior year of high school, or freshman year of college in fall, 2010. 

Improvements Underway on Medical Center Campus

June 28, 2010

New Improvements Build a Closer Community

Construction Will Change the Face of the Medical Center

Construction is underway on a new Education Union and recreation center at Saint Louis University Medical Center -- two improvements that will make the campus that houses SLU's health sciences programs even more vibrant.

The campus is home to the schools of medicine, nursing and public health; Doisy College of Health Sciences; Center for Advanced Dental Education; Center for Health Care Ethics; and Center for Outcomes Research.

The Education Union will beautify the streetscape of the Medical Center.

Expected to open in 2011, the facilities will add to the dramatic changes to the campus' landscape that began in 2007 with the opening of the Edward A. Doisy Research Center, a 10-story glass and steel soaring testament to the University's dedication to biomedical research.

Located in the heart of the medical center, the brick and glass 30,000-square foot Education Union promises to be the hub of activity at the Medical Center, and will serve as a new sleek and welcoming front door for the campus known for its pioneering education for future health care professionals. A new addition will double the size of the building that used to belong to Tenet, which is being refurbished.
The Education Union will be for both relaxation and education. It will include a 225-seat, state-of-the art auditorium for large lecture classes as well as areas for study.

The building also will house the new teaching space for SLU's standardized patient simulation education program, which offers students a learning opportunity to practice new diagnostic and communication skills on "patients" who really are actors feigning illnesses. The building will include a café-style restaurant and student lounges, and will be the new home of SLU's Interprofessional Education Center, an innovative program that teaches collaboration and teamwork to tomorrow's health professionals.

A short walk from the Education Union, SLU literally is leveling the playing field of a new athletic complex that is expected to be complete next spring. The facility will contain an NCAA-regulation, eight-lane running track, which rings a full-sized soccer field. The athletic center will expand opportunities for all students to participate on intramural and club sports teams, and will be a convenient oasis for the Saint Louis University Medical Center family to enjoy informal opportunities for exercise. In addition, it will be the home field of SLU's Division I track team, pumping additional energy into the Saint Louis University Medical Center.

"Having these central congregating places will cement the sense of community among students, faculty and staff at Saint Louis University Medical Center," said Philip Alderson, SLU's vice president for health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine. "Along with the Doisy Research Center, both projects will change the face of Saint Louis University Medical Center to make it an even more inviting place."

Couple tries to sell baby at Walmart; 'Save More, Live Better?'

A couple, possibly feeling they could "live better" without their baby, and with some extra cash, tried to sell their baby outside a Walmart on Tuesday. Unlike Walmart's always falling prices, they raised the price after an initial rebuff.

The incident happened on Tuesday around 7:20 PM. PDT outside a Walmart in Salinas, California, when a Patrick Alan Fousek, 38, approached two women and asked if they'd like to buy his child for $25. Samantha Tomasini, 20, was reportedly in a car nearby.

The women rebuffed Fousek, who then raised the price to $75, and shoved the child into the arms of one woman. The women then called 911.

However, the couple had left before police arrived, but based on the description provided by the women, police eventually found the couple, with baby all right, but her parents high on meth.

The defendants are charged with felony child endangerment, which carries a four-year maximum sentence, and misdemeanor charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a meth pipe.

The couple was arraigned on Friday, but both are being held in segregated, lockdown cells at the Monterey County Jail. Reportedly, Fousek was attacked by fellow inmates Thursday night after details of the incident were shown on TV. Fousek was transported to Natividad Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries, including two cracked ribs, before being returned to jail.

Watch a video report:

SLU Faculty Participate in NATA Annual Meeting

The 2010 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Annual Meeting and Symposium was held in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Tuesday June 22-Friday June 26.

SLU faculty members participated in the symposium. Dr. Kitty Newsham presented a Case Study: "Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in an Intercollegiate Athlete with SSRI" and Dr. Tony Breitbach serve as the moderator for a Feature Presentation: " Navigating the Emerging Student-Athlete 'Perfect Storm': Managing Mental Health Problems and Responses at the Collegiate Setting."

In addition to the educational presentations, the annual meeting provide faculty and students opportunities to network with colleagues and learn about new products and innovations from exhibitors.

Woman Punched by Cop Apologizes for Provoking Incident

Many pushed Seattle police officer Ian Walsh under the bus for punching a 17-year-old teenager in the face. That was, until they carefully viewed the video (embedded below), and saw her shove him before that punch. That still-unnamed Seattle teen has now apologized to the officer in a private meeting.

Authorities say officer Walsh accepted the apology Friday. Meanwhile, the King County, WA prosecutor charged the 17-year-old girl with third-degree assault, but as a juvenile. As such, that charge is punishable by a maximum 30 days in detention.

The original incident occurred Monday. The teen interfered in a friend's jaywalking arrest. James Kelly of the Urban League of Seattle said he requested Friday's meeting to help calm the situation.

Despite the apology, which seemingly clears officer Walsh, authorities say the matter is still under investigation. The department's civilian-led Office of Professional Accountability is looking Walsh's actions.

Watch the incident below:

Cop Punches Woman, Video Goes Viral

This YouTube video, of a Seattle, WA cop punching a woman in the face has gone viral, an example of what police shouldn't do if someone's around, period. Nowadays just about everyone has a cell phone that can record video, after all.

It turns out that four women were jaywalking, and the officer had them come over. Things escalated, and he was trying to handcuff the first woman (a 19-year-old) when the second one, a 17-year-old, came over. It is clear from the video that the 17-year-old pushed the officer (as pictured above). At that point, the officer punches the 17-year-old in the face.

In a situation where he is clearly outnumbered, it's difficult to fault the officer. At which point, one must ask, did the second woman feel it was OK to assault the officer, and why didn't the first one just cooperate?

Undoubtedly, there's going to be arguments over the incident, and also undoubtedly, there will be "race" brought into the picture. The Seattle police have responded to the incident, and issued this statement.

"You obviously have to take into context everything that occurred from the point that the officer did make contact with the individuals until the situation ended. As I said before, we have some concerns about the tactics the officer used and employed at the time. Again, we did feel what occurred did deserve a review by the Office of Professional Accountability."

Watch the video, and decide for yourself.

SLU Athletic Training Students and Faculty Cover Nike Hoop Jamboree

The Nike Hoop Jamboree has been held for the 12th year at Saint Louis University, hosted by the St. Louis Eagles Basketball Club.  The Hoop Jam brings in over 100 top basketball players aged 15 and under for basketball instruction and leadership development.  Many athletes from this camp have went on to play in the NBA.  The SLU Athletic Training Education Program has worked with Nike and the Eagles to provide for the camp. 

Hoop Jamboree Medical Staff: (back row) Tony Breitbach, Ann Schmerbauch, Jason Bennett (front row) Diane Schlesselman, Meghan Gehrs, Emily Monahan (not pictured) Darcy Downey, Kitty Newsham, Kellie Black, Jacob Blasingame, Ilene Chambers

St. Louis native and New York Knicks player David Lee addresses the participants at the Hoop Jam.

Sixty-two foot 'Touchdown Jesus' statue goes down in flames

One of southwestern Ohio's most familiar landmarks, the "King of Kings" statue, which is a six-story tall statue of Jesus Christ first erected in 2004, has been burned to the ground. The statue, which stood with an image of Jesus with his arms outstretch, had been nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus."

The 62-foot-tall statue, covered in fiber glass, was built by the Solid Rock Church (Monroe, OH)’s at an estimated cost of more the $250,000. In addition to the most popular nickname of "Touchdown Jesus," the statue, which has now been reduced to a pile of rubble, has other popular monickers, such as Big Butter Jesus (as seen in the photo, it is a sort of buttery color) and Drowning Jesus (as the statue's body seems to be half immersed in water).

Watch Touchdown Jesus go down in flames in this embedded video:

Taliban hangs seven-year-old boy accused of spying

The Taliban has executed a 7-year-old boy, it has been reported. The child, whom the Taliban accused of being a spy for the Afghanistan government, has reportedly been hanged, after being placed on trial and found guilty.

The boy was killed on Tuesday in Helmand province. When asked about the incident, Afghan president Hamid Karzai said the following,

"A seven-year-old boy cannot be a spy. A seven-year-old boy cannot be anything but a seven-year-old boy. And therefore, hanging or shooting to kill a seven-year-old, regardless of whatever reason one would give for it, is a crime against humanity."

While the so-called spy label has been used as a reason by the Taliban, Daoud Ahmadi, the spokesman for the provincial governor of Helmand province, gave another. He said that the killing happened days after the boy's grandfather, Abdul Woodod Alokozai, spoke out against militants in their home village.

"His grandfather is a tribal elder in the village and the village is under the control of the Taliban. His grandfather said some good things about the government and he formed a small group of people to stand against the Taliban. That's why the Taliban killed his grandson in revenge."

Watch a video report.

Dina Lohan: Lindsay's SCRAM bracelet set off by spilled drink

Many celebrities, as well as their relatives, appear to believe that the public and law enforcement are as smart, or rather, as dumb, as they are. Witness Lindsay Lohan's mother Dina, who said:

"She was at the MTV Awards and somebody spilled a drink on her leg, which must have set off the SCRAM bracelet. She has done absolutely nothing wrong and shouldn't have to wear the bracelet in the first place. She is doing absolutely fine."

One doesn't have to be an expert to know that a spilled drink on a SCRAM monitoring device would register significantly more alcohol that would be possible in a person's bloodstream. Does she really think we will believe that?

While one doesn't have to be an expert to figure that out, here's an expert's opinion, anyway. AJ Gigler, SCRAM’s National Sales Manager, said:

“When somebody spills something on someone’s leg or arm or even directly on the device, it’s going to show a very stark and quick peak for alcohol detection, which compared to what is humanly possible through absorption rates is going to look drastically different than that of some ingested alcohol."

The fact that Lohan remains out of jail points to both her wealth, as well as so-called celebrity entitlement. Anyone else would have been sent to prison already, and these impossibly foolish excuses (let's not forget she also missed a court appearance because her passport was stolen. Right.) be damned.

$200,000 and celebrity entitlement: Lohan avoids jail again

Lindsay Lohan avoided jail again, by posting another $200,000 in bail money. According to People magazine, Lohan's SCRAM ankle monitor alerted authorities Sunday night while she attended an after-party for the MTV Movie Awards.

This was enough for Beverly Hills Judge Marsha Revel to issue a bench warrant late Tuesday for Lohan's arrest, claiming the 23-year-old actress was "in violation for conditions on bail." Her prior $100,000 bail was revoked because of the violation; another $200,000 in bail was paid.

It's unclear what triggered the alarm, but the obvious thought would be, seeing as how it was a party, that Lohan took one (or more) drinks. The SCRAM bracelet detects alcohol in a person's perspiration.

An additional possibility is that Lohan tried to interfere with the bracelet somehow, so she could take a drink.

Of course, Lohan denied any wrongdoing, posting the following on Twitter:

My scram wasn't set off-Its physically impossible considering I've nothing for it to go off-All of these false resports are absolutely wrong

Wearing the monitoring bracelet was part of the requirements imposed by Revel after Lohan missed a mandatory hearing on her probation related to an earlier DUI case. Her lawyer claimed her passport was stolen.

Despite her claim of sobriety, Lohan’s lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley, said in a statement that the device indicated the "presence of a small amount of alcohol," which was what set off the alert.

The sheer number of times that Lohan has avoided "real" jail time (she did serve for 84 minutes at one time) has led many to point to the "celebrity entitlement" issue that seems to pervade the judicial system.

One has to wonder if the lack of jail time, which Jane Q. Public would most certainly have faced by now, will lead to eventual tragedy, either for her or someone else.

Tokyo screenings of Oscar-winning dolphin slaughter film canceled

We first wrote about "The Cove" in 2008, when it was tentatively titled "The Rising." Since then the film, about the slaughter of dolphins in a secluded cove in Japan, has won an Oscar for Best Feature- Documentary. Yet showings of the film in Japan may not happen.

Unplugged, the Japan distributor, had planned showings of the film at two cinemas in Tokyo this month. Those have been canceled because of fears that planned protests might "inconvenience movie-goers," whether or not they were attending "The Cove."

Despite all this, Unplugged is still in negotiations to show the movie at 23 venues around the country this summer. Screenings at one Osaka theater have also been called off.

At issue are planned protests by conservative activists who say the film is anti-Japanese. Takeshi Kato of Unplugged said in a faxed statement to Reuters, "'The Cove' is absolutely not an anti-Japanese film. I believe a deep and constructive debate is needed about the content of the film."

Japan's government has long defended its whale and dolphin hunts, saying such hunts are an important cultural tradition. The country continues to use the "research" loophole in anti-whaling laws to justify its whaling, for one.

Watch the trailer, and a video report, embedded below:

BA struggles to explain bin Laden frequent flier miles

One has to wonder if British Airways decided to screw up and thus take some of the heat off another company with the word "British" in its name, British Petroleum (BP). Nah, that makes to much sense.

Instead, this is likely a joke gone bad. BA is apologizing profusely after it was noted that the LHR News, the company's internal magazine for BA staff at London's Heathrow airport, had the image above in it. The photo accompanied an article touting the benefits of BA's mobile-boarding setup, which permits users of mobile devices (like bin Laden's iPhone) to print out their boarding passes on the fly.

The boarding pass reads "Bin Laden/Osama," as you can see. Worse, it appears that somehow bin Laden managed to get frequent flyer miles.

While it could just be a joke gone bad, it's also possible it's a bit of ill-natured sabotage by a disgruntled employee. After all, BA is embroiled in a nasty standoff with cabin crew that has led to strikes.

Summer Internships Underway for SLU AT Students

SLU athletic training students take MAT 590 Athletic Training Field Experience during the summer between their two years in the professional phase of the program.
The course is based in a summer internship experience and this year's internships are very exciting:

Jacob Blasingame - St. Louis Rams Football Club, St. Louis, MO

 

Geanie Butts - Disney/ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, FL

Mollie Cole - University of Missouri Baseball, Columbia, MO

Meghan Gehrs - Gateway Grizzlies Baseball Club, Sauget, IL

Laura Gosewisch - Nazareth Academy, LaGrange Park, IL

Emily Monahan - AC St. Louis Soccer Club, St. Louis, MO

Diane Schlesselman - KC Explorers Professional Tennis, Kansas City

Ann Schmerbauch - River City Rascals Baseball Club, O'Fallon, MO