Athletic Training student, Kaitlyn Gustafson, is gaining valuable experience as a second-year graduate student while participating in clinical assignments in Western New York. Gustafson has had placements with Daemen College soccer and basketball, University at Buffalo wrestling, and is currently in the midst of an assignment with UB football.

Gustafson explained that the program’s clinical coordinator assigns students to their clinical positions based on their strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and how well they will pair with a clinical preceptor.  

“Throughout our clinical education we work with a football team, with both male and female athletes, and teams at various levels of athletics. We also engage in a general medical rotation. My current placement is exciting because there are a number of “unique” injuries in football and no two days seem to be the same,” said Gustafson.

Gustafson explained that her placements have prepared her for the future, “My placement has helped me grow as a student and I’ve learned to interact with athletes and how to treat their injuries accordingly.”

Preparedness is nothing new to Gustafson. She was recently named the only student from a Western New York institution selected to receive a 2017 iLead Scholarship from the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NYSATA). The scholarship is designed to develop the next generation of leaders in the athletic training profession. Selection is based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community service activities, and future plans as an athletic training professional.

Dr. Nicole Chimera, athletic training program director, and associate professor said, “This scholarship speaks to Kaitlyn’s exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential as a professional athletic trainer. We are very proud of her for receiving this scholarship.”

Gustafson’s career goal is to work as an athletic trainer for a college or University.