Tuesday, May 16, 2017

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Carley Kirsch PT, DPT

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Carley Kirsch PT, DPT

Rehabilitation Director
Hillside Health Care International
Hometown: Hamilton, Ohio
Current Town/City: Punta Gorda, Belize

SLU DPT Class of 2011

Interests, Activities, Clubs, and Professional Organizations
International Public Health, Hillside Health Care International rehab committee
If you could come back to SLU and teach a class, which class would you like to teach?

If I could teach one class at SLU, I would teach Basic Exam. This was the first hands on class in our curriculum that made me fall in love with the profession. Although I spent many sleepless nights memorizing muscle origins and insertions, the foundational knowledge from that course has helped me to become the practitioner I am today.
What was the most valuable lesson — inside or outside the classroom — you learned at SLU?

The most valuable lesson I learned at SLU was being a true woman for others. I was raised in a family and community that values service, however SLU was the first place I was able to explore my own passion and love for assisting others. Participating in campus ministry service trips, make a difference day, Relay for Life, and Campus Kitchen allowed me to explore my ability to contribute to the community. In addition, the physical therapy clinical education team first introduced me to my lifelong love of international service by offering a clinical rotation at Hillside.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

My greatest professional accomplishment has been managing the rehabilitation department at Hillside Clinic in Punta Gorda, Belize. I spend my days serving the patients of the local community at our outpatient clinic and being welcomed into the homes our homebound community members. I also get the opportunity to collaborate with community members and other organizations to establish sustainable programs to provide a lifetime of care for our patients. One of the most gratifying aspects of my job is working with an interdisciplinary team of both students and professionals to provide optimal care to our patients.
What advice do you have for students getting ready to graduate with their DPT?

Be persistent and continue to make personal and professional goal for yourself. Even after graduation, take each day as a learning opportunity.

Your term as the Rehabilitation Director at Hillside Healthcare International ends soon. What can you tell us about your experience?

As the rehab director at Hillside, I have gained more from the community than I could ever repay. The relationships that I have made with staff, patients, community members, students, and other volunteers will last a lifetime. These are relationships and connections that I am excited to pass on to a future rehab director. Interested applicants can learn more information about the position by following this link: https://www.idealist.org/en/volunter-opportunity/12edf4425d8b4afda695dcfd0066db78-rehabilitation-director-hillside-health-care-international-eldridgeville

This is one of several posts featuring SLU PT Alumni experiences. The Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy wants to recognize the exciting and innovative things our alumni are doing, here in St. Louis and around the world. For more information for and about SLU alumni experiences go to: http://www.slu.edu/alumni-and-donors/.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

SLU Physical Therapy Clinic Hosts Open House in New Location

The Saint Louis University Physical Therapy Clinic: An Affiliate of the Student Health Center hosted an Open House on Thursday, April 27 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the clinic’s new location: 3530 Laclede Avenue Suite 108, St. Louis, MO 63103. Guests were able to tour the clinic and meet the physical therapy staff. 
SLU PT Clinic Staff: Jason Bennett, PT, PhD, SCS, ATC; Pam Abbott, PT, DPT, OCS; Karen Vespa, PT, MPT, OCS; Physical Therapy Clinical Service Manager Jenny Stateler, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS; Barb Yemm, PT, DPT, OCS; Mike Markee, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, ATC; Chris Sebelski, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CSCS.
The new site gives increased square footage to accommodate the growing patient population with an improved layout that allows for utilization of private treatment areas and space for expanded student learning opportunities.
The physical therapy clinic is open to the entire SLU community. The clinic specializes in treating orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries. All of the clinic’s physical therapists hold American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certifications in the field of orthopedics and/or sports.
Patients can expect a one-on-one, individualized approach that will facilitate optimal recovery by combining current research and highest standards of practice.

Below are photos our our clinic staff and guests during the open house reception.

Dr. Tricia Austin, Interim Department Chair for the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, Dr. Michelle Unterberg, Assistant Dean for the Walker College of Health Professions/Director of the Physical Therapy Program, and Dr. Mardell Wilson, Dean of the Doisy College of Health Sciences

Dr. Jennifer Stateler with Dr. Mike Markee

Dr. Jenny Stateler and Dr. Tricia Austin welcome Janet Oberle, Sr. Associate Director of Athletics

Dr. Mona Hicks, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students with Dr. Chris Sebelski
Dr. Gretchen Salsich, Dr. Barb Yemm, Dr. Dave Gutekunst, and Dean Mardell Wilson

SLU PT Clinic Billing Representative Micki Barbieri with Renee Dunham, Assistant Director of the Student Health Center

Dr. Sara Scholtes with Dr. Mike Markee

Dr. Randy Richter, Interim Program Director for the Program in Physical Therapy with SLU-SSM Physical Therapy Orthopedic Resident Dr. Adam Kays

Dr. Kim Levenhagen and Dr. Barb Yemm

PT Clinic Staff Member Karen Vespa discusses the updated layout with Dr. Steve Byrnes, the Director of University Counseling.
Dr. Randy Richter with Ryan TeKolste (DPT Class of 2020)

Dean of Doisy College of Health Sciences Dr. Mardell Wilson discusses the new clinic accommodations with Dr. Michelle Unterberg, Assistant Dean for the Walker College of Health Professions/Director of the Physical Therapy Program.
For more information about the clinic, accessing physical therapy services, or setting up appointments, call (314) 977-7419.




Photos by Corey Mauer & Erica Mullikin

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

SLU PT Faculty Members Recognized at Women of the Year Luncheon


Dr. Lisa Dorsey, Dr. Vicki Moran, Dr. Chris Sebelski, Student Olivia Smithhisler, & Dr. Lisa Fisher
During the 2017 Women of the Year Luncheon hosted by Saint Louis University's Women's Commission, SLU PT Faculty Members Dr. Chris Sebelski and Dr. Lisa Dorsey were recognized as grant awardees. They were awarded the Sister Shirley Kolmer Community Impact Grant.  The project is entitled: "Pathways of leader self-efficacy for women in higher education."  

Investigators: 
Chris A Sebelski, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CSCS
Lisa Dorsey, PT, PhD, MBA  
Vicki Moran, PhD, MPH, RN, APHN-BC, CNE, TNS


The Women's Commission of Saint Louis University empowers and educates women and the community by heightening awareness of relevant women's issues, connecting women with opportunities for personal and professional development, and recognizing the outstanding contributions female faculty, staff and students have made to our esteemed institution.

The Sister Shirley Kolmer Memorial Grant helps fund individual leadership development opportunities and community impact projects that advance women. The grant was established in 2016 through initial endowed support from an anonymous Women's Commission Member and Woman of the Year award winner in 1994. 
You can learn more about Saint Louis University's Women's Commission and the Sister Shirley Kolmer Memorial Grant by following this link.