Athletic Training Students Travel to Hughston Foundation

VSU athletic training students watch Linda Moore, OT and CHT, demonstrate the neural glide technique.

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University’s athletic training students in the rehabilitation techniques in athletic training II course traveled to the Hughston Foundation in Columbus, Ga., for two days of educational experiences. 

Andy Grubbs, VSU graduate and director of athletic training at the Hughston Foundation, created the agenda and scheduled the Hughston staff to present to the athletic training students.   

The agenda included a hand therapy presentation and laboratory session where the students learned some new skills related to hand orthotic fabrication from Linda Moore, certified hand therapist. Additionally Rob Hopkins, physical therapist, presented on injuries to the throwing shoulder. 

“This is the third year we have been to the foundation, and it is a wonderful experience for the students,” said Lori Howard, course instructor. “The Hughston Clinic and Foundation have such a wealth of skilled healthcare professionals, and we are able to create truly unique learning opportunities for the students across a diverse set of topics delivered by experts in each area.” 

The students also attended an elbow arthroscopy lab by Dr. Champ Baker. Baker also taught the students his shoulder and elbow examination. Dr. Kurt Jacobson, VSU team physician, performed a dissection of a cadaveric knee specimen. The athletic training students were able to stand at his side during the dissection and palpate anatomical structures and increase their musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge. Jacobson also showed the students his knee exam and gave them suggestions for improving their examination skills.  The students were also able to attend a casting lab to learn casting tips from two orthopedic technologists with over 55 years of combined experience.

For more information, contact Howard at 229-245-4380 or lchoward@valdosta.edu.