Friday, September 22, 2017

SLU PT Director of Clinical Education Enjoys Memorable Time Spent at Pro-Bono Clinic

Pro-Bono Trip Spotlight - Hillside Health Care International
by Carol Beckel, PT, PhD, Director of Clinical Education

This was my 11th trip to Belize and my 9th opportunity to volunteer at Hillside Health Care International (HHCI). My time at HHCI is always special and allows me the opportunity to return to my roots as a physical therapist. It also provides me the opportunity to be a clinical instructor (CI) which is my passion now for nearly 25 years. This year was special as I was the CI for two SLU PT students.
Tessa Fate and Natalie Lynch (DPT Class of 2018) presenting to other students on the differential diagnosis for patients of back pain in the clinic during their time at Hillside Health Care International
In my role as the Director of Clinical Education, I review the progress of students in the clinic from afar. It is an incredible opportunity to witness the growth of confidence and skill in students first-hand.
Natalie Lynch, Tessa Fate, and I at the conclusion of a mobile clinic in Otoxha, a village 50 miles from the Hillside Health Care International campus.
This year was also unique as I helped close out the term as rehab director for another Billiken, Carley Kirsch, PT, DPT. I was privileged to be on the ground as she started in this role and at the end of her term.
HHCI Rehabilitation Director Carley Kirsch PT, DPT presenting to students on the Community-Based Rehab program at Hillside Health Care International in her role as Rehab Director

HHCI is my 2nd home and it is always a wonderful experience to be back working side-by-side with the incredible staff and volunteers that provide excellent patient care in the Toledo District.
Carol Beckel with Amira, Rehab Tech at Hillside Health Care International 

Thursday, September 14, 2017

SLU PT Student Discovers Opportunities Through Collaborative Health Care in Jamaica


Service Trip Spotlight - Jamaica
by Bailey Flynn (DPT Class of 2019)

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to spend ten days in Jamaica participating in an intensive physical therapy camp benefiting individuals who had recently suffered from strokes. I was paired with another PT student from a different university and together we created and implemented an individualized treatment plan for our patient in collaboration with experienced clinicians. Treatment days consisted of various stations focusing on improving proprioception, gait, and strength along with some group activities and home visits. I got to practice my clinical reasoning and other skills I had learned in my PY1 year, in addition to learning techniques or other interventions that I had not previously been exposed to.
This experience, though, did not come without its challenges. There were points during the week where I doubted my abilities to really make an impact, as I was the least experienced student since others were at least PY2s. However, through collaborative efforts and conversations with both other students and clinicians, I was able to quiet those doubts and focus on what I could contribute which ended up being more than I thought. Regardless of experience level, students or clinicians all have different perspectives to bring to the table, which when shared ultimately leads to better patient care.
The most rewarding part of this experience was seeing the progression of our patient. After just a week and a half, these improvements in not only our patient but also all the patients attending the camp were incredible, and I feel fortunate to have shared in that experience. I would 100% recommend that other PT students go on an international clinical experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the opportunity to rise to new challenges while getting to collaborate with students and clinicians from all over the country. I hope you all have the chance to take part in some kind of international experience because I know my own experience in Jamaica changed the way I look at my future in physical therapy, and it might just change how you, too, see your role in this world.

To learn more about the stroke camp, visit their website: http://www.friendsoftheredeemer.org/

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have participated in 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.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

SLU PT Student Gains New Perspective During Service Oriented Clinical Internship

Service Trip Spotlight - Hillside Health Care International
by Lexi Modglin (DPT Class of 2018)


The Cheryl L Cavallo Memorial Scholarship allowed me the life-altering opportunity to travel to Belize for a clinical internship at Hillside Health Care International. Hillside is a health care clinic that provides medical, pharmaceutical, and rehabilitative care to underserved individuals throughout Belize's Toledo District.
One of the many impactful components of this experience was the exposure to such a diverse population clinically. Hillside provides the only rehabilitation in the district, so we treat patients post-stroke in their homes, month old babies for clubbed feet, and walk-in patients with postural dysfunction all during the same day. 
Through my time in Belize as a student physical therapist I gained new skills and new perspective. I am grateful to Cheryl L Cavallo's legacy of clinical care and service, and all those who help contribute to her scholarship fund.

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, September 8, 2017

SLU PT Student Enjoys Immersive Experience on Service Trip in Belize

Service Trip Spotlight - Seine Bight, Belize
by Brea Masching (DPT Class of 2019)

This summer, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the culture, friendships, and hospitality of Seine Bight, Belize. I was lucky enough to be invited by Mary Jo Davenport, PhD, PT  to join her on a mission trip where we served the people of Seine Bight in a variety of ways. We spent our time in the mornings teaching the local children in Vacation Bible School where we shared stories, sang songs, and danced like nobody was watching. We then spent the afternoon hours performing home health visits where we were welcomed into the homes of the villagers, a great privilege in Garifuna culture.
Every aspect of this mission trip was incredibly wonderful and impactful, full of cheerful laughter and meaningful dialogue. I could go on and on about my fondest memories, but I’d like to focus on the home health visits and what our health care team was able to accomplish during our short time abroad.
The people of Seine Bight are living below the poverty line in a third world country, and have little to no access to health care. They have the opportunity to take about a two hour bus ride to a neighboring town whenever pop-up clinics are running, but that requires money and the ability to travel, two things many villagers simply don’t have. Many patients were home-bound because their health did not allow them the ability to descend their home’s stairs, since every home in Seine Bight is raised on stilts to protect them from rising waters. That being said, the need for medical care in Seine Bight is great but the access is essentially non-existent.
This mission trip has been organized by the beloved Miss Sue Dorn for over 16 years through a partnership between St. John Church and the Belize Mission Society, and she helps send wave after wave of health care teams to Seine Bight. Although short in duration, these trips can truly change the lives of the patients we see by providing necessary medication, assistive devices, education, and emotional support. The health care teams take a holistic approach in treating these patients by focusing the treatment on the developmental, physical, and spiritual needs of the villagers. This summer, a nurse was part of the health care team, and we did our best to converge our experience, knowledge, and ideas to best treat our patients.
Our sessions would include monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as educating patients on the importance of their medication and diet. We changed dressings, provided ointment, and cleaned wounds to the best of our ability. We assisted many patients in exercise programs to continue their rehabilitation started by health care teams before us. We even had the opportunity to deliver a donated wheelchair to a sweet girl with cerebral palsy, which was just an incredibly heartwarming experience!
Dr. Mary Jo Davenport and myself implemented an infant massage program, where we taught the mothers of the village the importance of infant massage as well as how to properly perform it. It was a wonderful bonding experience between ourselves, the mothers, and their young children that I hope to have the opportunity to experience again.
I am beyond grateful for this experience, and a piece of my heart remains with the people in Seine Bight. I was able to learn from the health care team regarding physical therapy and general patient care, but in reality I learned so much more than that. I learned all about the Garifuna culture, the people I met, the village I served, and I even learned a lot about myself. It was such a special experience, and I’d like to take this moment to advise you, if you’re even slightly considering joining a mission trip or attending a clinical experience abroad, to go for it! It is a life-changing and eye-opening experience that you simply shouldn’t pass up if given the chance.
For more information regarding the mission trip to Seine Bight, you can visit:

Belize Mission Society http://www.belizemissionsociety.net/

St. John’s Church http://www.stjstl.net/next-steps/serve/short-term-mission-trips/seine-bight-belize/

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have participated in 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.