December 8, 2011

Happy Holidays!

It’s the most wonderful time of year! School is almost over, the temperatures are getting colder, and many good times are right around the corner. What better way to celebrate than with the annual Athletic Training Holiday party? This year the party was hosted by the Marucci’s and as always did not disappoint. The afternoon was filled with delicious food, good company, and of course an entertaining game of White Elephant. The menu consisted of turkey, ham, pasta salad, chili, dressing, cake balls, cookies, peppermint bark, and much more. Gifts ranged from anything and everything. Gift cards, a Backstreet Boys cd, Taco Bell hot sauce, candy, and sidewalk chalk, just to name a few, made White Elephant the special, entertaining event it always is.

From the LSU Athletic Training family, we wish you a Happy Holiday and very Happy, Healthy New Year!


Dr. Anthony Petraglia, MD on Management for Sports Concussions

On November 11th, the LSU Athletic Training Program, with the help of Dr. Burnham, MD, LSU Head Team Physician, welcomed Dr. Anthony Petraglia, MD to discuss the current research and science related to the proper management for sports concussions. Dr. Petraglia graduated from the University of Chicago in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Neuroscience and earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2007. Dr. Petraglia is the first neurosurgery resident to complete a Neurological Sports Medicine Fellowship and was the McNair Neurosurgical Sports Medicine Fellow in Houston, Texas. He is currently completing his Neurological Surgery training at the University of Rochester. Dr. Petraglia has worked under Dr. Julian Bailes, who has done extensive work on preventative treatment of concussions and the role of DHA/Omega 3. He has worked as a team physician for several collegiate and high school teams and has also helped establish a concussion clinic in the greater Rochester area.

Dr. Petraglia’s guest lecture not only defined concussions and the standard treatment, but it also featured prevention and up and coming research. His presentation included videos of athletes, from peewee football to high profile collegiate athletes and their concussion experiences. When asked about Dr. Petraglia and his presentation, clinical instructor, Melissa Thompson, PhD, Med, ATC, PES, said, “He provided a great summary of the most recent and relevant concussion research and its application to practitioners. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about concussions, but there is also a growing body of research evidence out there that EVERY medical professional who works with concussed individuals should know about AND USE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE.” The information Dr. Petraglia presented was very new and inventive and unique to any other concussion material the program has been presented with before. Second year athletic training student, Caitlin McKinley said, “He had such a new, fresh insight about concussions. Instead of the usual let's assess the concussion, he taught us what was physiologically going on inside the body and brain. His video's showed different levels of how a concussion can affect a person mentally. I think he did a fabulous job and really helped us learn more in depth information about concussions.” The LSU Athletic Training Staff and students feel fortunate to have had access to someone like Dr. Petraglia who is an expert and involved in cutting edge research that will help us all understand the intricacies of the brain and its response to concussions and traumatic brain injury. We thank him for his time and interest in our program at LSU.

Thanksgiving with the Tigers


LSU’s Thanksgiving with the Tigers is the school’s annual holiday event sponsored by LSU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athlete Affairs. LSU Athletic Training Students were given the opportunity to adopt an eleven-year old girl through St. Vincent de Paul for the holiday season. As a group, the Athletic Training program donated over $450 dollars. Athletic Training students went on a major shopping spree through Target in search for the perfect holiday gifts. Some of the gifts included a winter coat, a scooter, body spray and lotion, a volleyball, bedding, and bedroom accessories. On November 14, a special dinner and gift presentation was held in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Jared Muth, Alpha Tau Sigma President, said, “This is what the holidays are about. Giving back and being thankful for what we have. It was a lot of fun helping out and making the holiday season special for this girl.” Thanks to all who donated money and time to help make this child’s holiday season one to remember!

LSU Athletic Training Student of the Month

The LSU Athletic Training Student of the Month is Courtney Melanson. Courtney is a third year athletic training student with the LSU Lady Tiger Basketball team. She has previously worked with LSU Football and U-HIGH. “Courtney has been a big addition to our Women's Basketball Athletic Training Staff. She has really taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility especially with a difficult knee rehabilitation, said Micki Collins, MS, ATC. She is a great mentor to pre-professional students and to other athletic training students. She is very loyal and honest. She always has a positive attitude.” Courtney is a great asset to the Athletic Training program with her strong work ethic and dedication to her athletes. Congratulations Courtney!