In it for the Long Run
Millikin University athletic training students in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport (ESS) have the benefit of gaining practical learning experiences that build the skills necessary for becoming certified athletic trainers.
One of those experiences recently occurred for six athletic training students who volunteered as medical personnel at the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, held on Oct. 11.
Approximately 45,000 runners took to the streets for the Chicago Marathon, which covered 29 Chicago neighborhoods on a scenic tour of the city. It was the second year in a row that Millikin students volunteered at the marathon.
"This year was a different look for our students because we were put on a mobile triage team," said Thad Walker, Millikin ESS instructor. "We were given our own zone in the post finish line area to look after runners that completed the race. It's been an evolution where last year we were involved with the masses and this year we had our own area to be in charge of – it was a different experience for the students, but a good one."
The six students that volunteered were Brie Cimino, a senior from Homewood, Ill.; Justice Miller, a junior from Alsip, Ill.; Nick Novak, a sophomore from Bolingbrook, Ill.; Secily Moss, a senior from Pana, Ill.; Sarah Bradley, a senior from Decatur, Ill.; and Corryn Poby, a senior from Grant Park, Ill.
The area that the Millikin students were responsible for included three spotter towers. The spotters would notify the students of the patients that needed assistance.
"We also had the responsibility of being the ground level eyes," Walker said. "The students would be covering the entire zone and they would be looking for patients in distress."
