The Hawken Hawks, along with their University Hospitals-partnered athletic trainers Sarah Royan and Britta Pestak, are providing students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the medical field.
The Hawken Hawks, along with their University Hospitals-partnered athletic trainers Sarah Royan and Britta Pestak, are providing students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the medical field.
Ashley Borsellino, a senior at Hawken, has been gaining real-world experience since her sophomore year as a member of the program through UH and Hawken.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is injury recognition and understanding the differences between injuries,” she said. “I’ve learned first-aid skills and become more adaptable, because you have to think quickly on your feet in this role.
“Athletic trainers are often the first people to respond to a sports injury. I’ve also learned a lot of taping techniques. It’s been a really cool experience. It’s also just great career experience — seeing what athletic trainers do daily.”
Just as meaningful, Borsellino said she’s now more comfortable in approaching new people.
“I talk to doctors and observe what they do, but the most important aspect has been developing soft skills,” she said. “Being able to talk to people has helped me become more outgoing. I work with patients in the clinic and assist with physical therapy, which has really helped me come out of my shell.”
The student now has her sights set on a career in the medical field.
She first heard about the program years before she got involved. Because she’d always been interested in medicine and helping people deal with injuries, her interest was piqued.
“(Upperclassmen) all had good things to say about it,” she said. “They were really positive, and I met Sarah (Royan) during my freshman year. I knew I wanted to work with her because she was so helpful when I had shin splints. She really connected with me, and I thought, ‘This is someone I want to work with.’ Then, in my sophomore year, I got the email about the program. Since I’m a lifeguard over the summer and already CPR certified, I knew I had to do it.”
She acted quickly to apply, and when she got accepted, knew she had to take the role seriously for success.
“I’ve never been a serious athlete, so this internship has helped me see how seriously others take their athletic goals — especially those hoping to play in college,” she said. “They really need extra support when dealing with injuries. For many athletes, this is a big part of their identity and future, so having someone who understands and can help them through recovery is really important.”
Properly managing the mental side of recovery, she says, is often just as important as the physical treatment.
“If you can help someone mentally, that’s half the battle, especially with concussions or when athletes get in their own heads,” Borsellino said. “Being a good support system, a peer they can talk to without judgment, makes a huge difference. When someone knows they can come into the training room and feel safe talking to me, that’s meaningful. If the mental aspect is in a good place, recovery becomes much more manageable — maybe 75% of the work.”
Beyond the clinical experience, this internship also offers personal and leadership growth, she said.
“Being a student aid for trainers and medical professionals is a big responsibility,” she said. “You have to show up, be dependable, and be ready to help. In doing that, you gain leadership experience and also become more connected to your school and community. You get to know all the athletes because anyone with an injury will come in and say, ‘I know Ashley — she helps me in the clinic and I see her at games.’ A lot of times, people start to see you as part of their team.”
For any Hawken students with even a little interest in medicine, Borsellino offered this advice:
“This is a great opportunity. You get to observe doctors, physical therapists and athletic trainers. There are so many chances to learn about medicine, anatomy, taping and more. Everything you see is going to be interesting, even the small things. It’s not like sitting in a classroom all day — it’s a unique experience you definitely shouldn’t pass up.”
