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Through multiple clinical experiences, Commonwealth University-Lock Haven athletic training student Julia Haines was able to secure her career path.
LOCK HAVEN — This spring, in her final semester of the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, Julia Haines, of Arendtsville, completed a full semester-long immersive experience at Penn State University.
Haines spent most of her time at PSU working with the women’s field hockey team, and with her preceptor, Rebecca Hall MA, LAT, ATC and had the opportunity to see many cutting-edge treatment modalities and state-of-the-art facilities.
“Rebecca was an amazing mentor and pushed me to grow into a professional who is ready for my first position,” Haines said.
Haines began her education at Lock Haven in 2020 pursuing a degree in exercise science. She was a five-year member and two-year captain of the women’s soccer team, and this is where she gained interest in pursuing a career in athletic training. She switched into the 3+2 MSAT program in her second year of college.
“I had really great athletic trainers that I worked with as an athlete while playing soccer,” Haines said. “Meridith Boucher, now the head AT at Penn College, was a huge support for me during my first year at school, and it showed me that I wanted to be this person for people in similar situations. She not only pushed me physically to get better but was always a listening ear. I feel that I have a very unique perspective since I have recently been an athlete and can use these skills in my athletic training career.”
Throughout her two years in graduate school, Haines had the opportunity to work with several teams local to the Lock Haven area.
During her first clinical experience, she was mentored by Lauren Damiano MSAT, LAT, ATC at State College Area High School and the other athletic trainers at that site. Damiano is a 2020 alum of the Lock Haven MSAT program.
During her second clinical experience, Haines was mentored by Head Athletic Trainer Keri Moriarity MS, LAT, ATC of Lycoming College. Here, she worked mainly with men’s lacrosse, as well as baseball and softball.
Her third clinical experience was spent at Lock Haven’s rehab clinic on campus, followed by various ancillary mini rotations.
Haines said her final clinical rotation at PSU was one of the highlights of her entire collegiate experience. She had the opportunity to help with rehabilitation of injuries, assessing injuries and finding a diagnosis, creating a treatment plan, doing medical documentation, emergency care and administrative duties. She was able to master her rehab skills and learn new ways to create rehabilitation programs with the help of her preceptor’s guidance.
“One of the greatest things I have learned is how to work collaboratively as an athletic healthcare team with our team physicians, coaches, strength coach, nutritionist and sports science personnel,” Haines said. “I was able to sit in on doctor’s appointments with athletes and ask the physicians questions. Each Monday we had a staff meeting to discuss the plan for each of our athletes for the week and that was a tremendous learning experience.”
Haines said of her favorite experiences from her time at PSU was working THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
During the event, she cared for the dancers that stood for 46 hours without sleeping, raising money for pediatric cancer.