New Athletic Training Faculty Member

While at Penn State Uni-versity, Ms. Montalvo gained clinical and aca-demic experience. Clinical-ly, Ms. Montalvo worked as a Sports Health Technician during Penn State sports camps and as the Athletic Trainer/Supervisor for Penn State Intramurals.

Academically, Ms. Montalvo was a teaching assistant for anatomy and statistics courses. She also conducted a number of research studies examin-ing injury epidemiology, the validation of a tri-axial accelerometer, and the efficacy of kinesiotaping.

Ms. Montalvo will bring a research fo-cus to the athletic training program. She is passionate, energetic, and dedi-cated to elevating our program as well as the athletic profession to the next level.

The Athletic Training pro-gram is thrilled to an-nounce that Alicia Mon-talvo will be returning to FIU this August as an As-sistant Professor in the De-partment of Athletic Train-ing.

Ms. Montalvo earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health, with a minor in nutrition, from the University of Pennsylvania. She then graduated from FIU with her Mas-ter of Science in Athletic Training. She passed the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification exam prior to graduation. She also won the Academic Excellence award (Co-recipient: Claudia Garcia) for earning the highest GPA in her graduating class.

After FIU, Ms. Montalvo enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology de-gree program at Penn State University.

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Student Spotlight

2

Educator Spotlight

2

Special Announcements

6

Dates to Remember

6

The CAATE Corner

6

Photo Album 7

Running With Scissors A p r i l 2 0 1 3

Athletic Training | College of Nursing and Health Sciences

From the Director’s Desk……………….……. Alpha Kappa, in collaboration

with the Athletic Training Pro-

gram, will be hosting a Kinesio

Taping® seminar this summer

on the following dates:

June 1st—2nd: Fundamentals and

Advanced (KT1 & KT2)

July 19th: Advanced Whole Body

Sports (KT3)

Each course runs from 8am to

5pm. The KT1 and KT2 courses

must be taken together. To be-

come a certified Kinesio Tap-

ing® practitioner, you must

complete KT1, KT2, and KT3.

Upon completion of all three

courses, you would be eligible to

take the certification exam.

FIU students, faculty, adjuncts,

and preceptors get discounted

rates. Contact Mary Lopez at

305-348-3167 or

mlopez21@fiu.edu for details

on the cost and registration

process. Registration closes

May 30th and seats are lim-

ited.

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Educators Spotlight: Dr. Restrepo & Dr. Odai

Student Spotlight: Erin Harrelson

Erin Harrelson has been named Student-of-the-Month for April 2013. Erin Scog-gins, who nomi-nated Erin for this recognition, has this to say about her:

“Ms. Harrelson has been a wonderful addition to our Athletic Training Staff this semester. She is dependa-ble, hard-working and dedicated to learning. She comes to her [clinical site] with a professional and positive demeanor that makes all of the staff and students enjoy working with her. Recently, she helped with a case that in-volved chronic low back pain in a high school soc-

cer player. She was able to observe the evaluation of the pa-tient and assisted in creating a rehabili-tation plan for him. She was responsible

for working daily with the student to ensure proper techniques for his therapy exercises and coming up with progressive exercises to keep the patient engaged and challenged.

What spoke the most about Ms. Harrelson’s work ethic and her effect on the stu-dents… was the student himself. There was one day that Ms. Harrelson was not supposed to be doing clini-cal hours and the student came in for therapy. Upon realizing that Ms. Harrel-son wouldn’t be there to

work with him, he ex-plained ‘I’m sad she isn’t here… Ms. Harrelson is the best. She makes me feel motivated to do my exercises and to work hard. She even motivates me to do the dead bug!’ (His least favorite exercise for his back). Since working with Ms. Harrelson, the patient has been pain free for over two weeks and has been discharged from therapy.

Through her positive atti-tude she has been helping our students, like the one listed above, complete their treatments and get healthy! This is why she is my nomination for Athletic Training Student of-the-Month.”

reason that we are happy to announce that the Edu-cators-of-the-Month for April 2013 are Dr. Jennifer Restrepo and Dr. Michelle Odai.

There is no way only one student could express the thanks for the education they provide—so we have included all of their state-ments.

The students have this to say about the education Dr. Restrepo and Dr. Odai pro-vide…

(continued p. 3)

This is a very special is-sue of the Educator Spot-light. For the month of April 2013, Iota Tau Al-pha, Alpha Kappa Chap-ter of the FIU Athletic Training Program Honor Society, nominated two educators very near and dear to our hearts. These two ladies, amazingly, have never been nomi-nated for this recogni-tion. We do not want to take these two ladies for granted. It is for that

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R u n n i n g W i t h S c i s s o r s

Dr. Odai has on countless occasions gone out of her way to assist students. I have

had numerous open labs with her where she stayed beyond our scheduled time to

make sure we understood exactly what skills we were performing and why. She

took the time to explain nuances with special tests for the ankle and why we

would do them. She also met with me numerous times one on one to work on my

resume. She was willing to work with me to make sure it was perfect to send out

for internships.

Through Dr. J's efforts we have become a program that others admire. Recently

Logan and I were working the career fair and we got numerous compliments

about how professional we looked in our ATEP polo's with our ATEP name tags.

Students lamented about how they had to wear the utterly unfashionable sticker

name tags. Other programs' heads were saying how they think they should get

polo's like ours for their programs. It is an amazing feeling to know that we al-

ways look professional. Dr. J has put a lot of thought and effort into this program

to turn us into young professionals and to prepare us for life after school.

-Kasey

Dr. J always makes sure to give us different tips on how to perform a certain skill

so that we can find what works for us (i.e. a jt. mob position for either our hand

or foot placement). She doesn't have to show us options but she does and that is

always very helpful since we each have different heights and hand sizes.

Dr. Odai is always making sure to inform all ATS that if we have a problem we

can always come to her to talk about it (i.e. clinical hrs site, ACI or class issues).

She lets us know constantly and she doesn't have to. This shows her true concern

for each student in the ATEP program and that is an admirable trait in any in-

structor, compassion.

-Kim C. :)

What I have appreciated most about Dr. Odai is her open door policy. It has been

really nice to know that when I have an issue or need to get something off my

chest, she is there to listen. It has helped me get through this semester and has

made me appreciate the ATEP program. Thank you!

During class time, Dr. Restrepo has really gone out of her way by giving me one-

on-one help. When I was having a hard time learning concepts in class, she

stayed a few extra minutes and got out models to help me understand the con-

vex/concave rule. It definitely shows her dedication to the students and how

much she cares. Thank you

-Logan

Educators Spotlight: Dr. Restrepo & Dr. Odai P a g e 3

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Dr. Restrepo has helped me fight my way back into the program and push me to

do the best I can. She has been a great help and assets for me. Dr. Odai has always

been tough and pushed me no matter what.

-Laurie

I appreciate that both instructors have an open door policy whether its dealing

with academic performance or personal. Seeing the success of these two women

inspires me to work harder every day.

-Taz

I first met Dr. J before school even started last summer at the Kinesio Taping

training. I didn't know anyone in the seminar and Dr. Restrepo went out of her

way to make me feel comfortable and invited me to lunch with the other ATEP

students and alumni. I knew then that she'd be an amazing mentor and that FIU

was the right choice!

Dr. Odai has helped me numerous times in many different ways. She has written

me letters of recommendations for scholarships and national student positions

(both which I got.... so it must have been some letter!), she has taken time to re-

view my resume and give me pointers on how to tailor it to our profession. Her

greatest impact has been the time she spent with me at iLEAD not only letting me

pick her brain about athletic training but also introducing me to other ATCs and

educators and helping me network.

Thank you both for being amazing educators, Athletic Trainers and successful,

strong women!

-Erin

These two educators have put time and effort to make sure we stay on track and

lend a pat on the back for encouragement and support when times are tough. They

make this program professional and almost like a family because of all their ef-

forts.

-Jonelle

I believe Dr. Odai has been beneficial to my knowledge because she is always will-

ing to meet with me individually and discuss my goals. She also cares about my

future endeavors.

Dr. J is always thinking of others and different ways to better the Program. She is

very enthusiastic about the career of athletic training.

-Keiasha

Educators Spotlight: Dr. Restrepo & Dr. Odai P a g e 4

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If it was not for Dr. Restrepo giving me a personal tour of FIU for two hours, I

may have never come to Miami for school. From day one, she has given constant

attention to my work and pushes me to put my best foot forward every day. Dr.

Odai has been a mentor and someone I can go to for awesome advice on any situ-

ation that may arise whether it is looking for a new job or dealing with things at

clinical sites. Both of these educators set an example for all students each and

every day. Dr. Odai and Dr. Restrepo have inspired me to one day pursue my

PhD. I know they will be supportive along that journey just as much as they have

been supportive here at FIU.

Thanks!

-Jen

Dr. Odai & Dr. Restrepo both put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into

making our ATEP one of the best around. They work tirelessly to be sure we come

out of the program as well educated professionals. We are all lucky to have them

in our corner.

-Alyssa

Dr. Restrepo: Emulated professionalism in our program. I appreciate the bar that

she set for us as students, and continually felt that if I could get Dr. Restrepo's

approval for something, then I could get anyone's approval for the situation.

Dr. Odai was always very approachable and helped make complicated situations

seem not so complicated.

-Abby

Dr. Restrepo has been an inspiration. She always has the ability to go go go. She

constantly is endorsing the good name of athletic training taking on new ways to

involve the ATEP to do so. She is absolutely tireless in this and in her support of

her students. Any time I have needed any help, she has taken time out of her

busy schedule to mentor me. She is the reason I came to FIU.

Dr. Odai has been an excellent source of furthering my career. She has been

there for multiple conversations on how to best accomplish my goals. She has

done her best to help me and has always provided the best advice that honestly I

have always utilized.

-Tiffany M.

Educators Spotlight: Dr. Restrepo & Dr. Odai P a g e 5

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Special Announcement

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June

June 23rd: Mandatory Orientation for all in-coming students (time and location TBA)

June 24th—27th: NATA 64th Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium

May

May 6th: Summer A se-mester begins

May 29th: Mandatory Athletic Training Pro-gram meeting for Level III students (11:45am, GPA 113)

Dates to Remember

John and Melisa Steele are the proud parents of Aiden John who was born at 6:29pm on May 1st, 2013. Aiden was 7 pounds and 20 inches. Mommy and Aiden are doing well….and John too!

Congratulations!!!

Our very own Erin Harrelson has been select-ed to represent District 9 (which includes the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky) on the National Athletic Training Students’ Committee (NATSC). She was chosen after being endorsed by Dr. Restrepo and then being selected via the nomi-nations board of the NATSC.

The mission of the NATSC is to “provide a voice for students within the athletic training com-munity,... promote learning about issues im-pacting the athletic training profession, get in-volved in volunteer opportunities, and take a stand on matters impacting students in the pre-sent and future. The NATSC offers information,

FIU Student Represents District 9

encouragement and advice, and also plans and implements quality educational and net-working opportunities at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) annual meet-ing.”

Erin will be assisting in duties of the NATSC such as increasing student NA-TA membership, promot-ing professional socializa-

tion of athletic training students, and provid-ing information on matters impacting the ath-letic training profession to athletic training students.

Congratulations Erin—and thank you for rep-resenting the FIU Athletic Training Program!

The CAATE Corner On July 1st, 2012, the CAATE released the

new 2012 accreditation standards. When the

FIU Athletic Training Program was undergo-

ing the re-accreditation process last year, we

were under the old accreditation standards.

Now, we need to focus on implementing the

new 2012 Standards. Therefore, I will be

providing continuous accreditation updates

in the CAATE Corner.

The update for April 2013 is terminology.

(1) The terms “Approved Clinical Instruct

or” and “Clinical Instructor” are being

replaced with the term “Preceptor.”

(2) The acronym “ATEP” is no longer be

ing used. We are to use “program” or

“athletic training program” or “AT

program.”

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Restrepo

at 305-348-3398 or dohertyj@fiu.edu

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*** PHOTO ALBUM ***

MARCH 28th: Students and Alumni at the Athletic Training Alumni Reunion and Continuing Education Symposium

APRIL 25th: End-of-the-Year Party

April 29th: Graduation Day Congratulations Class of 2013!

Thank you A.T.S.O. for a great party!