Carlos Gual, an instructor in COHPA’s Athletic Training Program, collaborated with Christopher Blackwell, an associate professor in the College of Nursing, to come up with the curriculum for the training.

“The AT program director reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in partnering with Athletic Training to conduct an IPE simulation with their students and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students,” said Blackwell, who is an advanced practice nurse and holds a PhD in public affairs. “And I said yes.”

“It was great,” added Gual. “You could see the eyes on both sides opening up and appreciating what the other side of the profession does.”

Gaul selected students from the newest athletic training cohort to give them a chance to practice their newfound knowledge.

Junior Alaina Locus is one of the athletic training students who attended and appreciated the opportunity.

“It gave me an opportunity to review the stuff we just learned, so I could be better prepared to do this in the real world,” she said.

Jenn Leuzinger, a nursing student, thought it was a great opportunity to learn and simultaneously practice what was being taught in the classroom.

“This event was beneficial due to its well-planned format: an overview provided at the beginning, the opportunity to apply proper technique and management in a variety of scenarios, followed by a debriefing of each one along with some feedback,” she said. “Although the scope of information provided is specific, the importance of it in regards to injury prevention is significant.”

Gual said the success of the program has prompted him to consider hosting the event annually. “To be put in a setting to know what happens when the patient leaves you, it better equips you for the situation.”

Both Locus and Leuzinger agreed that they would participate in similar trainings again. “It gives you a different perspective and a different learning environment to put your skills to the test,” Locus added.

The RWC’s athletic trainers offer free open clinic hours during the week for students and are on hand for special events, Intramural Sports league and tournament play, and higher risk Sport Club events. The need is great. In 2012-13, Bell’s staff treated more than 240 injuries an 84 percent increase from the 2011-12 academic year. The athletic trainers refer injured students to the �鶹ԭ�� Health Center’s Sports Medicine Program and Dr. Douglas Meuser, M.D. and Dr. Ashlee Warren, M.D.

Additionally Bell has easy access to Jewett and ., who is the medical doctor of record for the �鶹ԭ�� RWC Athletic Training program. The clinic specializes in arthroscopy, hand and foot deformities, spine reconstruction and joint replacement and has served the Central Florida community for 75 years.

The RWC is funded by the Student Government Association. Its continuing mission is to enrich campus life through efficient services, comprehensive programs and high-quality facilities programs that foster healthy lifestyles.

The RWC is a department in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.