Thursday, June 22, 2017

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Rachel W. P. Condon, DPT, DSc, FAAOMPT, OCS, CSCS

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Rachel W. P. Condon, DPT, DSc, FAAOMPT, OCS, CSCS

Assistant Department Head, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Hometown: Chicago
Current Town/City: Norfolk, VA

SLU DPT Class of 2010

Interests, Activities, Clubs, and Professional Organizations
Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Manual Physical Therapy, Long Distance Running

If you could come back to SLU and teach a class, which class would you like to teach?
I would love to teach Musculoskeletal I or II and would really enjoy teaching manual therapy in lab

What was the most valuable lesson — inside or outside the classroom — you learned at SLU?
The most valuable lesson I learned was the importance of communicating with my patients in a patient-friendly manner that is easy for them to understand. Having good communication with my patients has helped me get good compliance with their treatment plan and improves the patient-provider relationship.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
My greatest professional accomplishment was completing my Doctor of Science and Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy

What advice do you have for students getting ready to graduate with their DPT?
Be experts at the basics - the basics done really well can help any patient you see. Also, listen to your patients. A good subjective exam can lead you to a strong list of hypothesis of how to help the patient.

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/.

Monday, June 19, 2017

SLU PT Student Uses Scholarship to Pay it Forward


Service Trip Spotlight - Pay it Forward
by Claire Kelly (DPT Class of 2018)

The Cavallo Scholarship has had a major impact on my time here at SLU, because it has allowed me to go on the Pay it Forward spring break trip multiple times. On these trips I was able to meet new people at SLU and across the country and was able to serve a variety of different communities across the United States. Without the Cheryl Cavallo Scholarship, financing the trips would have been very difficult; I am forever grateful that I received this scholarship opportunity, and I encourage all those who are thinking about applying to do so! 


There are two ways to help support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund. You may participate in the 16th Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K (register here) or donate directly to the fund. The Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K is in memory of Cheryl Cavallo, a long time faculty member in the Program in Physical Therapy who lost her courageous battle to cancer in 2013.  She served as the faculty mentor for the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated this event for 11 years.  She lived the Jesuit mission everyday by giving back to those less fortunate.  All proceeds from the memorial fundraiser will benefit the Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to help defray travel costs for students wishing to pursue health care related domestic or international mission trips. For more information, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event, contact Michelle Cohen at mcohen17@slu.edu.

Cheryl L. Cavallo, PT, Ph.D.
This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have utilized the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to finance their service trips. Service is an integral part of the Saint Louis University experience. SLU  is currently #4 on Washington Monthly’s list of universities who participate most in community service. To learn more about service at SLU, visit the Center for Service and Community Engagement website at www.slu.edu/service.  

Friday, June 9, 2017

SLU PT Student Experiences Collaborative Clinical Setting at SLU Physical Therapy Clinic

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Physical Therapy Clinic
By:  Theresa Gilmore (DPT Class of 2017)

During my last semester of physical therapy school, I had the privilege of being assigned to my number one choice of clinical sites at the Saint Louis University Physical Therapy Clinic. It was one of my favorite experiences of physical therapy school. I was able to watch and work alongside excellent clinicians, professors, lab instructors, and physical therapy orthopedic residents whom I looked up to throughout my undergraduate coursework.
One of my favorite things about the clinic was being able to grow as a clinician in an environment where research and evidenced is used, and collaboration occurs constantly. Almost every time I was in the office there were discussions and brainstorming about new ideas for patient treatment and evaluations. I was made to feel welcome and part of the team as other clinicians valued my opinion and the things I had learned throughout my coursework and previous clinical affiliations. I loved seeing how every staff member at the clinic continues to strive to learn more and it inspires me to want to do the same. As a student, it was important for me to see clinicians dedicated to lifelong learning and using current evidence to shape evaluation and treatment of patients. It was amazing to see the quality of care and compassion that each and every patient received at this physical therapy clinic.
Throughout this 9 week clinical internship I was able to work with SLU’s Division I athletes. This site was different than other sites I had been to because of the sports emphasis. This experience was invaluable as I learned to analyze running for cross country/track and field rehabilitation and watch a softball player simulate swinging a bat to guide treatment. I loved the emphasis that movement analysis played in guiding treatment and returning athletes to play in a timely manner. It was also great to be able to interact with athletic trainers in order to provide care to athletes as a team. It was extremely rewarding to watch my patients improve and return to the sports that they love. I am very thankful for this opportunity and the friendships I formed with the clinicians and patients whom I worked with.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.