by Marielle Payton, Student Public Relations Writer
Liz Breedlove, 20, started a one-of-a-kind internship with Dayton Children’s Hospital’s multi-clinical The Center for the Female Athlete. She began the internship on May 30.
For Breedlove, a native of Big Island, Virginia, securing the internship will help her as she pursues a master’s degree in athletic training from Cedarville University in Ohio. Breedlove is enrolled in the accelerated sport medicine track at Cedarville and transitioned into the master’s program the summer of 2022. 
As an athletic training student, Breedlove assists student-athletes by advising them on training and physical therapy. Transitioning from the classroom to the locker room and court is seamless for Breedlove as she gets to apply her academic skills in a real-world setting.
Cedarville’s combined bachelor’s in sport medicine and Master of Athletic Training (MAT) is an accelerated degree track offered by the school of allied health. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to complete the undergraduate component in three years and then move directly into their two-year graduate program, enabling them to complete both degrees in five years.
“The Master of Athletic Training program has developed an affiliation with Dayton Children's Hospital, and placed our first student there this summer,” said Dr. Ken Blood, clinical education coordinator and associate professor of athletic training. “While there, she will be exposed to four different types of clinical settings. One is their Center for the Female Athlete. This innovative aspect of our MAT program is being well received. It's unique, comprehensive and a great experience for our students."
Breedlove initially chose Cedarville because she was recruited to play softball. Through that, she discovered the athletic training program and felt it was a great fit for her interests and talents.
“I love it, and I love the people,” said Breedlove. “It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been able to help different teams train — last fall I was with the volleyball team, and then with women’s basketball in the winter. This spring, I worked with our baseball team here at Cedarville.”
It was a big transition for Breedlove as she completed her final undergraduate year and started her first year of graduate school. Balancing her clinicals and classwork was challenging at first, but now, she’s found her groove, and she’s looking forward to interning with Dayton Children’s Hospital this summer.
“We get so much one-on-one help from our professors, and now we’re really close with each other,” said Breedlove. “Not only do we get to work alongside certified athletic trainers throughout the school year but we get to consistently practice the skills we learn in class.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,082 undergraduate, graduate, and dual-enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the school of allied health as well as high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings. Cedarville has been ranked #4 nationally by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.