Category: Athletic Training Student

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Athletic Training and Nursing Students Team Up For Disaster Training

Article reposted from  Sam Houston State University
Author: Tricia Sims

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Understanding the importance of critical care and inter-professional education, the SHSU School of Nursing and athletic training program teamed up to simulate five emergency situations during which students would have to work together to treat patients. Above, students discuss the treatment of a woman who crashed her bicycle and received a severe head injury. —Photos by Brian Blalock and Michael Ray

She could hear her heart beating fast in her ears while her adrenaline spiked. All she could think was just remember: green-minor, yellow-delayed, red-immediate…green, yellow and red.

She, along with the other students around her, was nervously standing in anticipation for the next scenario. The next 20 minutes would bring more sweat on the brow and a nervous feeling in the pit of the stomach as these students learned how to save as many lives as possible.

The group stepped up to a new scenario. A bull had escaped during a rodeo and had his “hey day” on unsuspecting people who were enjoying a fun-filled day at a carnival. Arriving at the scene, students saw at least 10 people lying down-some crying out, some barely moving, and one dead.

“There were several casualties and many who needed immediate care,” Sam Houston State University nursing student Aimee Shearn said. “Our job was to first clear the scene and make sure the bull was captured. The next objective, once the scene was clear, was to triage the victims. We have a system we utilize called simple triage and rapid treatment. We rapidly assess the patient and prioritize what needs to be done.”

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Working in groups of six, students had to communicate with each other in scenarios that included everything from mass casualties, to traumatic injuries, to unfamiliar ailments.
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This traumatic situation was one of five created for an emergency care simulation for SHSU nursing and athletic training students. The simulation was organized to prepare students for emergency health care crises and took place at Gibbs Ranch, with five groups of six students participating.

According to assistant professor of kinesiology and athletic training program director Mary Williams, 15 years ago, the Institutes of Medicine published several core competencies that they recommended for health care programs. One of those core skills is called inter-professional education which is the practice in when all health care students and professionals work together to treat patients rather than separately.

The simulation was a way to teach the students clinical skills and give them a chance to use inter-professional education.

“In many cases patients get referred to multiple people, you have many people coming in and out,” Williams said. “You can’t provide quality health care without numbers. You have to have people from all different kinds of disciplines work together to get the patient what they need.”

The five different situations at the training simulation included the results of a tornado; a bull that had gotten loose at a rodeo; a rodeo competitor who had been thrown from a bull; a mom who crashed her bicycle outside a school without a helmet, resulting in a severe head injury; and people who had heat illnesses at a marathon.

Clinical assistant professor in the nursing program Linda James said the training gave students a chance to see the other field’s tactics and made them realize how important working together is in saving lives.

“In reality, a response to mass casualty situation and other emergencies involves many other disciplines,” James said. “This allowed students the opportunity to work with another discipline in another setting.  In the end, each group of students taught the other something, demonstrating the importance of teamwork.”

Athletic training student Cheyanne Goyen, who also participated in the training, said she learned the power of asking for help and how working together as a team can truly help the patients get the best care.

“I came across a girl who couldn’t feel her lower half and as I looked over her body, I saw she had a bruise all along her back,” Goyen said. “Not being familiar in this situation as an athletic trainer, I called one of the nursing students over to help me.

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A professor assesses students’ response to a person injured in a tornado during the simulation training at Gibbs Ranch.

“When they saw the bruise, they came to the conclusion together of it being internal bleeding. So they told me to get a thick blanket we had on hand to keep her up right and in the recovery position.”

The training situations also taught the students that communication is vital for patient success.

“We were expected to prioritize, delegate and implement safety at each scenario,” Shearn said. “I learned that collaboration and communication is the key in a disaster situation. The team has to communicate and work together to have the best possible outcome.”

By making a team up of people who do not normally work together, the simulation challenged the students and kept them motivated to learn from each other.

“It was great getting to work with people outside of the athletic training profession,” Goyen said. “I was able to see different ways to assess and handle situations from a nursing side of things. It is important to be taken out of your comfort zone and work with people you’re not familiar. Having everyone work together made this a fun learning experience.”

Perhaps most importantly, the session was a great example of conditions that both types of students will encounter in the future, according to Shearn.

“This simulation is instrumental in training as the event provides and enables us to analyze what would happen in a similar situation,” she said. “We must as health professionals be able to reflect on this scenario to practice toward strengthening our skills in these circumstances.”

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Amani Jackson receives John A. Mayes Scholarship

Article reposted from State
Author: JAMINA TRIBBETT

While athletic training was not officially recognized as a health profession until the 1990s, the practice has been around for more than a century. In that time, Indiana State University has secured an esteemed place in history — one that made the university the No. 1 school to attend for Amani Jackson.

Jackson, a senior from Flossmoor, Ill., discovered her passion for athletic training after she broke her hand playing basketball in high school. Experiencing the care and treatment from an athletic trainer interested her in learning more about the field. When it came time to apply for colleges, Indiana State was at the top of her list.

“Indiana State was the first in the nation to have an accredited bachelor’s and master’s program in athletic training,” Jackson said. “Now, we are the first have a Doctorate in Athletic Training program. We are the pioneers for the profession, and I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to be part of the tradition of excellence here.”

State is also among the best programs, turning out graduates who regularly help their teams win championships. Dice Yamaguchi, ’05, helped lead the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA title in 2014 — the same year head athletic trainer Chris Kingsley, GR ’95, helped the Los Angeles Kings hoist the Stanley Cup. (Actually, it was the second time in three years they’d won a championship.)

Amani Jackson decided to attend Indiana State because of its athletic training program's reputation.

Amani Jackson decided to attend Indiana State because of its athletic training program’s reputation.

Indiana State’s history with athletic training began in 1962 when the university hired its first athletic trainer, Mel Blickenstaff. Not only was the university the first to offer accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in athletic training, but also it was the first to graduate a woman into the profession. In 2016, Indiana State continues that legacy with the new doctorate — bringing with it hopes to raise the salary for athletic trainers.

“The biggest problem in athletic training is that the need is growing, but the salaries are not,” said Program Director Lindsey Eberman. “Right now, about 70 percent of athletic trainers have their master’s degree, but they are not necessarily gaining advanced practice skills or clinical expertise in those programs. What we are trying to do with our new doctorate is drive the skill set and leadership up to drive the value and worth of athletic trainers up.”

The Doctorate in Athletic Training is a 24-month continuous enrollment program that requires students to complete 57 credit hours, two research projects and clinical experience. There are currently 41 students in the program, and it maxes out at 50. Currently, only about half of applicants are accepted into the program.

“Some of the most influential people in the athletic training profession have graduated from Indiana State,” Eberman said. “These are the people who are pushing the profession forward by developing certifying exams and conducting research about the field. It has been really cool to be a part of that history.”

Jackson hopes to one day be a part of that history, as well. With her passion and an education from what she believes is “the best in the country,” there is no limiting her potential for success.

“She has demonstrated some serious passion for the profession — seeking out internships and trying to find ways to expose herself more in the profession,” said Eberman. “I think she represents future leadership, particularly as it relates to the diversity of our profession. The field is not necessarily diverse. Less than five percent of athletic trainers are not white.”

Jackson was awarded the John A. Mayes Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee Scholarship by the National Athletic Training Association in May. This scholarship provides an annual scholarship of $2,300 to a qualified entry-level athletic training student from a diverse ethnic background.

“I was so honored and proud to receive this scholarship,” Jackson said. “John Mayes doesn’t know me personally, he just knows what I wrote on a piece of paper, but he felt strong enough to invest in me and encourage me to stay the path, even if I am the minority in the field.”

Jackson plans to further her education by obtaining a master’s and doctorate in athletic training. She has a special interest in studying aquatic therapy, foot and ankle pathologies, as well as the role of nutrition in healing. Food has an impact on injury prevention, performance enhancement and injury recovery, she says. Jackson’s dream clinical setting would be in women’s collegiate athletics, but she also wants to be open to other opportunities.

“Because I go to Indiana State and I feel that I am getting the best education in the world,” Jackson said, “I feel like there is no limitation to what I could do.”

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Athletic training Student works with athletes through highs and lows

Article reposted from The University Daily Kansan
Author: Claudia Close

Doing something solely to help other people is a characteristic that many admire. Whether it’s community service, or it’s in someone’s job description, being there for someone can spark a feeling of purpose that inspires people to keep going.

For Kansas student Stephanie Rusnak, that’s exactly the goal.

The Golden, Colo., native is in her second year in the athletic training program at Kansas and is part of the football athletic training team.

“For me, it’s all about [the athletes] being their best and knowing I got to assist them in that, even in the littlest of ways,” she said.

Rusnak spends her mornings helping with treatments and going through rehab with the injured athletes. She aids in the specifically designed programs for each injury and then proceeds with any other necessary treatments.

She then goes to classes as she works towards a master’s degree in athletic training. Rusnak said her work in the classroom and on the field has inspired her dream to stay training with college athletes. Aside from training, Rusnak has a true passion for working one-on-one with athletes — especially those in college.

“These athletes are at such an awesome point in their careers, because they are still at such a high level. But for some of [them], this may be the very last time they play their sports, while others are just starting their professional careers,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for me to be able to work with athletes at such an important time in their lives and form these relationships that will better prepare both of us for our futures.”

After classes, she will go back to the field for practice to set up help with any pre-practice treatment, i.e. taping or wrapping to stabilize a previous injury. During practice, Rusnak and other trainers are on the field, in charge of water and first aid before cleanup. Rusnak will assist with any more treatments post-practice.

Rusnak loves being able to be an athlete’s cheerleader, therapist or a voice of reason when they need the motivation — especially after an injury.

“Being able to see someone at their absolute lowest to returning to the sport that they love and letting them know they did it all on their own is worth every early morning, every cold day and every difficult day,” she said.

As for why she decided to go into athletic training, the answer was simple.

“I think I love this career so much because it really, truly is about helping other people,” Rusnak said.

Rusnak said one of the most exciting moments of her career came last season, when Kansas defeated Texas for the first time since 1938.

“It was such an amazing feeling to be on the field last night. They have worked so hard, and they have truly earned it,” she said. “[The team] has worked and grown over the season and it showed last night.”

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Simulations Improving Indiana State Doctoral Students

Article reposted from My Wabash Valley.com
Author: Rebecca Brumfield

You may think athletic trainers are just at sporting events, but truth is, they are everywhere.
And Indiana State University is helping train their doctoral candidates Saturday with potential real-life simulations.
It may look like mass chaos, but doctoral and undergrad students are playing out a BMX crash scene.
The doctoral program helps these students use their skills and knowledge to help in life threatening events.
Some things can be taught in a classroom, but to experience it, makes a world of difference.
“Someone’s dying on the ground or someone’s frantic and you don’t know what to do in that situation,” says Kasey Ohlemeyer, an ISU undergrad. “So it allows the DAT students to really take out the normal setting and then actually bring it back and do more life-like scenarios.”
The emotional capacity of a real-life simulation cannot be taught in a classroom.
“When you have that emotional atmosphere, decision making can be a little different,” says Zach Dougal, a doctoral candidate. “And uh, that is really challenging us to harness that emotion and really draw those skills and what we know we’ve been taught and what we know we can do, drawing that out of us.”
Other simulations held today included a bus crash, and an active shooter scenario.

 

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UNO Athletic Training Student Interns with Green Bay Packers

Article reposted from University of Nebraska Omaha College of Education
Author: Samuel Wilkins

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Athletic Training Student, Takeaki “Take” Ando, began the Fall 2015 semester determined to get an internship with an NFL team. He carefully prepared his résumé and cover letter, and sent them to each of the 31 franchise teams in the NFL. Towards the end of the semester, he reached out again to each team, seeking an internship. Take began to get rejection letters or emails back from the teams.

In mid-December, Take was sitting in the Dr. CC and Mabel L. Criss Library studying for final exams when he received a call from Nate Weir, an Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Green Bay Packers. This unexpected phone call caught Take off guard—he had not received any correspondence from the Packers. With no time to prepare, Take immediately stopped what he was doing and proceeded with the impromptu phone interview. After Nate checked his references, Take was officially offered an internship for the summer. He was one of only six athletic training student interns chosen to work with the Packers.

Nate was impressed with Take’s application, “Take made an excellent first impression when I first reviewed his application. His experiences prior to working in Green Bay made him an exceptional candidate for a summer internship with our staff. During the interview process it was evident that Take was a very well-rounded student who not only excelled in the classroom, but also in his clinical rotations. His passion for the athletic training profession was one of the most appealing characteristics that he possessed.”

The Packers internship was rigorous. Take was introduced to the facilities and to the expectations of interacting with athletes, coaches and medical staff. Take spent long days in the athletic training room, often times arriving at 6:30 A.M. and leaving at 7:00 P.M. His work included participating in injury treatments and rehabilitation programs, preparing for practices, covering practices, and monitoring strength and conditioning sessions.

“I really enjoyed working with the medical staff and the athletes. All of the athletes were nice and respectful to me,” said Take. When asked about his most memorable moment, Take smiled and answered, “standing on the sidelines of Lambeau Field before the first pre-season game against the Cleveland Browns. I got to take a picture with Aaron Rodgers!”

Nate had this to say about Take’s time with the Packers, “Take had a great work ethic. He was always willing to go above and beyond what was asked of him. It was very obvious that Take’s previous athletic training experiences prepared him for a summer internship with the Green Bay Packers. Everyday Take showed up to the athletic training room with a smile and was ready to work. He had a strong willingness to learn and improve his athletic training skills.”

Take expressed appreciation for his experience, “I want to thank the people that surrounded me especially Shannon, Sam, Dr. Rosen, Melanie and my friends, so I could get this opportunity.  Even though I am an international student and have barrier with language, everyone treated me as one of the teammates. I appreciate that I could work with Pepper, Flea, Kurt, Nate, Brock, Cole and other great summer interns. I would like to say thank you to the people I met during this summer working with the Packers. It was long and very busy summer, but the most memorable summer for me.”

Take has some advice for athletic training students interested in applying for NFL internships. “Be prepared to be busy and to work hard. Don’t expect the ‘fun stuff.’ It is important to be professional with the athletes, coaching staff and the medical staff.”

Take is finishing his last year in the UNO Graduate Athletic Training Program (ATP). He will graduate in May 2017 and plans to become a certified athletic trainer. His goal is to return to the NFL with another athletic training seasonal internship.

Learn more about the UNO Graduate Athletic Training Program (ATP) >>

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Making “Doc” Proud

Article reposted from Illinois State University
Author: Illinois State University

Jaylon Joyner is a man with a plan. And that plan is all about preparing for the unknown.

Joyner, an Illinois State University senior, wants to be an athletic trainer, the person who runs onto the field when someone gets hurt. He’ll have to make split-second decisions about what to do next.

“I like that it’s spontaneous, that you never know what you’re getting yourself into,” said Joyner, an athletic training and physical education teacher education double major.

Joyner has a clear path toward reaching his career goal, thanks in large part to private giving and scholarships. This year Joyner was the recipient of two scholarship awards in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, including the Robert “Doc” Kief Scholarship.

Kief was an Illinois State faculty member and Redbird athletic trainer. The scholarship for students majoring in athletic training was established after his death in 2013 by his wife, Joyce Morton Kief, who taught at ISU.

“Our generous donors make it possible for students to realize their passion during their time at Illinois State University,” said Jan Murphy, interim dean for the College of Applied Science and Technology. “In today’s job market, a college degree is more important than ever, and private gifts allow a student to continue learning without interruptions or distractions. We are grateful to our many donors for the extraordinary support they provide to our students.”

Like Joyner, Kief had both a physical education and athletic training background. Kief was a nontraditional student himself, enrolling at Illinois State in the 1960s at age 39. Joyner is the first in his family to attend college.

“That meant a lot to me,” Joyner said. “I’m taking the same steps he did when he was in college.”

Joyner has excelled at Illinois State, in and out of the classroom. The University Scholar is an Honors student, a resident assistant, and president of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He’s also enjoying his experiences in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, especially clinical rotations that have already placed him with the Redbird baseball, track and field, and football teams.

Joyner has his career plan sketched out in great detail. He wants to work as an athletic trainer and teacher at a high school, maybe even be an athletics director someday. He plans to finish his undergraduate education in May 2018, and then go to graduate school in Chicago.

But to graduate on time, he’s taking a lot of credit hours each semester.

“So that extra scholarship money definitely helps out,” Joyner said. “I’m very honored to receive it.”

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Alfred University Athletic Training Club Assists at Wineglass Marathon

Article reposted from Alfred University
Author: Alfred University

For a third consecutive year, the Alfred University Athletic Training Club was invited to assist local physicians at the Wineglass Marathon, held on Oct. 2 in Steuben County. Students and faculty, worked hand-in-hand with the medical director of the marathon to provide medical support to runners during the race.

The Wineglass Marathon this year attracted 6,500 runners competing in 5K and half marathons, and the full marathon between the Village of Bath and the City of Corning. The large field meant that AU’s Athletic Training Club members were busy assisting runners suffering from cramping, musculoskeletal injuries, and general fatigue all throughout the course, especially at the medical tent at the finish fine.

Left to right: Cody Cornelius, Courtney Slack, Emily Whitehouse, Alex Barsky, Becca Alexander, Evan Linza, Laura Krawczyk, Ryan Paris, Matt Zahn, and Josh Long MS ATC CSCS CES.

– See more at: http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=14043#sthash.4PfPWf9N.dpuf

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LSU Student is First and Only Female to Intern For Saints

Article reposted from College of Human Sciences & Education
Author: College of Human Sciences & Education

Alissa Marks, native of Grand Prairie, La., is a junior at LSU and in her second clinical year in the School of Kinesiology’s Athletic Training program. This summer, she interned for the New Orleans Saints. She was the first and only female athletic training intern work for the Saints.

Marks says the LSU Athletic Training Program prepared her for this internship in many ways.

“I have learned work ethic, professionalism, clinical skills, and confidence, which are things that I feel made a huge impact of my performance over the summer and is the reason that I got this opportunity,” Marks said. “This experience definitely something that I will take with me throughout the rest of my career. I am extremely grateful to have gotten this opportunity.”

“My experience with the Saints was amazing and definitely one that I will never forget,” Marks said. “I worked with some of the best certified athletic trainers in the league. I have learned so much from them and I have grown as a clinician and a person in general. Being the first and only female athletic training student with the Saints medical staff motivated me to work harder and prove that females have a place in this profession.”

Marks aspires to work with a collegiate or professional sports team after graduation. Her favorite class at LSU so far was Orthopedic Evaluations because she learned about different injuries and how to test for them.

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LSU Athletic Training students work with the best of the best. Students complete clinical experiences in injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. LSU’s Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training is a flagship program in Louisiana and graduates from the program establish successful careers in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics, physician clinics and more.

 

ATHLETIC TRAINING AT LSU

 

About SOK

The LSU School of Kinesiology advances the understanding of physical activity, sport, and health to optimize the quality of life for diverse populations through excellence in teaching, learning, discovery, and engagement. Visit the School of Kinesiology atlsu.edu/kinesiology

 

About CHSE

The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The College is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8 undergraduate degree programs and 18 graduate programs, enrolling more than 1,900 undergraduate and 977 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is continually working to improve its programs.

Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education at chse.lsu.edu

 

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Arkansas Athletic Training Student Wins Scholarship

Article reposted from University of Arkansas
Author: University of Arkansas

Evelyn Tandy, a University of Arkansas master’s student in athletic training, recently won the Ben Hogan Sports Medicine Scholarship from the National Athletic Trainers Association Research and Education Foundation.

She is also a recipient of Bill Ferrell Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training from the U of A.

Tandy, of Crittenden, Kentucky, earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Earlham College and a master’s degree in teaching from Bethany College.

Tandy is doing a clinical rotation this semester with the Arkansas women’s soccer team. She would like to work at a Division III higher education institution after graduation.

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Blue Jays tip their caps to Athletic Therapy students

Article reposted from the sheridan sun
Authors: ISABELLA KRZYKALA AND HAILEY MONTGOMERY

The Toronto Blue Jays honoured Sheridan College Athletic Therapy students Kevin Bryant and Justine Branco, at the Rogers Centre, on Sept. 12 during a pre-game ceremony. Both Bryant and Branco were recognized for their academic excellence and the dedication they show toward the program.

Branco was awarded the Dr. Ron Taylor award, given each year to a student who demonstrates high academic achievement, and a commitment to extracurricular activities. “This is a huge honour, there is a lot of history behind this award,” Branco said. “Being named after a former baseball player is amazing, it’s such a tradition of excellence of people that have won it.”

Bryant was the recipient of the Toronto Blue Jays scholarship. This scholarship is given to a third-year student who is personally selected by the Blue Jays medical staff. The recipient of the scholarship is given the opportunity to work side-by-side with training staff and players during all home games.

Bryant recalled his excitement as he got the call from Blue Jays assistant head athletic trainer, Mike Frostad. “I was actually in the shower when the Blue Jays had called,” Bryant said. “I was just relieved that it was finally over, and that I had the answer I wanted. I’ll admit I was a little watery-eyed about joining the Blue Jays.”

Bryant said that his season with the Blue Jays players and staff gave him unique hands-on experience he may not have received elsewhere.

“It has been unbelievable, both from an athletic therapy aspect but also just being a fan of the game,” Bryant said. “Working with George and Mike Frostad and learning from professionals at the highest level in baseball has been amazing and I have been learning a lot.”

Before the first pitch, Blue Jays head athletic trainer George Poulis, who has been with the Jays for over 20 years, recognized Bryant’s dedication during his time with the team. “He is not afraid to get his hands dirty. He is in the trenches with us the whole season,” Poulis said. “He just feels comfortable, just like all the other Sheridan students.”

For the past 27 years, Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Applied Health and Science program has shared a strong relationship with the Toronto Blue Jays. The four-year Athletic Therapy degree program develops and provides students with skills that allows them to work with even the most elite athletes.

“The relationship has continued for so long because of the quality of the program and the quality of the student athletic therapists that come in,” Poulis said. “These students have good values, they have good work ethic and a passion for taking their skills to the next level.”

Sheridan Athletic Therapy professor, Paul Brisebois, feels that the commitment of both Sheridan College and the Toronto Blue Jays is what has kept the relationship between the two strong for nearly three decades.

“It has been 27 years, so it creates a good relationship, but it does take both parties to do their share,” Brisebois said. “George and the training staff, as well as the Sheridan College kids. I think it’s a joint commitment because people do what they are supposed to do.”

Brisebois was the recipient of the Blue Jays Scholarship in 2003, allowing him some insight on being a student thrown into a professional sports environment.

“I think the hardest thing as an intern is just being that low man on the totem pole,” Brisbeois said. “Some of the tasks are not the most glamorous, but they allow the whole staff to persevere and work better together.”

Bryant’s tasks ranged from making ice packs to driving star athletes from clubhouse to clubhouse.

“I had to pick up David Ortiz from the other team’s clubhouse and drive him over to our clubhouse to get checked out by our doctors,” Bryant said. “Being able to ride with him in a golf cart and making a little bit of chit-chat was really cool. The guy’s a living legend right now.”

Brisebois also acknowledged the unique pressure of working in a professional sports environment.

“They are dealing with the highest calibre of athletes versus maybe just a weekend warrior who works nine-to-five Monday-to-Friday and plays hockey on Saturdays,” said Brisebois. “It’s a different competition level, different injuries.”

By spending this season with the Blue Jays, Bryant has learned many skills that only come from working side-by-side with professional athletes.

“I have definitely learned a lot. A lot of new techniques, a lot of manual skills that I wish I had known last year, that I could have applied to the team that I was with,” said Bryant. “Even just from learning how to manage different personalities, ‘cause there are so many different personalities on this team. You can’t treat everybody the same way.”

Bryant is currently in his final year of the Athletic Therapy program at Sheridan College and has started to think about his life after graduation and the decisions that lie ahead.

“What scares me is I am not exactly sure what avenue to take with athletic therapy. I always saw myself working in a clinic, but now thanks to working with the Blue Jays, a part of me wants to work for a team,” Bryant said. “Overall, I am just looking forward to graduation and finally moving on with my life from school.”