Friday, December 23, 2011

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Goniometer


Rudolph the Red-Nosed Goniometer

You know Cheryl and Kim
And Kelly and Barb
Jill F. and Jill S.
And KENDALL
But do you recall,
The most famous PT of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Goniometer
Had a very shiny fulcrum,
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it knows…

All of the ranges of motions
That tell us about our joints.
He never palpates through clothing,
To be sure he finds the right points.

Then one gloomy Tuesday afternoon,
Cheryl came to say,
“Rudolph use your fulcrum right,
Get this over before tonight!”

Oh how the students loved him
As they shouted out with glee
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Goniometer
You’ll help us pass PT!”

- DPT Class of 2010

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Mallory Eggert, PT Class of 2015, Claims Pickin Splinters Weekly Award

Mallory Eggert, class of 2015, named Performer of the Week by Pickin Splinters, a website that covers Atlantic 10 Conference and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball, for the period of Dec. 5-11.
Mallory Eggert Pickin Splinters Awardee
Congratulations Mallory!

Monday, November 28, 2011

ANNUAL STUCO FOOD DRIVE BEST EVER!


A spirited competition between the classes resulted in 1300 cans of food collected during the annual PT STUDENT COUNCIL FOO DRIVE.   The Class of 2012, who had been beat out the last three years, won the pizza party collecting 768 cans, the class of 2014 came in second with 455.  The food collected was donated to St. Francis Xavier College Church. 
Kudos to Brianne Keller and Hannah Schweickart for chairing the event!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Carol Beckel Receives YWCA Leader Honor


Carol Beckel, MA, PT, Assistant Professor, Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy, will be honored at the annual YWCA Leader Lunch, on December 1st at the Millennium Hotel in the name of the Board of the Women’s Commission.  Professor Beckel was selected in recognition of her leadership and contributions at the University.  The Women’s Commission recognizes the contributions of Saint Louis University’s women administrators, faculty, and staff.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Saint Louis University Physical Therapy Blood Drive

Physical Therapy Blood Drive
Sponsored by the Physical Therapy Student Council
and the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center
Tuesday November 8th, 2011
11:00am-4:00 pm
Doisy Allied Health Building 3rd Floor Multipurpose Room

To donate, you need a photo ID and you must not have donated within 60 days before the blood drive. T-shirts, cookies, and juice will be provided for all donors.

To make an appointment, visit bloodcenterimpact.org.
The Blood Drive ID/sponsor code is 9451. Walk-in's are also welcome.

If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Kessler at mkessle7@slu.edu.
Please help support the Physical Therapy Student Council and the Missouri Valley Regional Blood Center. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Some Enchanted Evening


Dr. Tricia Wong, Dr. Mark Reinking, and Professor Carol Beckel during Diversity Dinner Cruise

The American Physical Therapy Association 19th Annual Celebration of Diversity was held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 on the StarLite Majesty Cruise Ship in Clearwater, Florida.  Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy graduate Dr. Tricia Wong was honored at the event.  Dr. Wong's reflections were printed in the Some Enchanted Evening program guide.  Her reflections were as follows:  

Prior to receiving the Minority Scholarship Award, I was really wondering what God had in store for me for my future. I knew he was calling me to do missionary work, and also calling me to be a physical therapist.  It wasn't until after I received the reward that I realized that those were not 2 separate callings, but rather that I can use physical therapy to serve others and that God was definitely calling me into this field for a purpose.  The money helps fund for my trip to Haiti this summer, where I will be working at a prosthetics/orthotics clinic.  It will give me a glimpse into something I wish to do in the future, which involves more long-term medical mission trips.  
The Minority Scholarship Award also goes to help pay for my education.  My parents have been such a blessing and paid for my education, and I am so grateful to them.  It was wonderful to see the excitement in their faces when I told them I was a recipient for the award and how I could help ease their anxiety by being able to pay for some of my loans.  Last, I am able to offer some of the money to the homeless community that I mentioned in my essay.  After receiving this minority scholarship award, I am thankful for this gift that I can share with those who need it most, even if it is even in a small way.


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hustle For Your Health 2011


On Saturday, September 24, 2011, Saint Louis University’s Physical Therapy Student Council  sponsored its 10th Annual Hustle for Your Health 5k run/1 mile walk.  The event, which raised money for the Foundation for Physical Therapy’s scholarship and research programs, was very successful, as more than $1000 was raised!  The participants included 106 pre-registered faculty, staff, students, and family members of the Saint Louis University community, along with a number of pets and day-of registers.  A number of local sponsors donated to the cause and provided prizes for the winners of the race.  Many volunteers made the race move along smoothly, and although the wind was a little bit brisk, everyone seemed to enjoy the day!  Saint Louis University’s Physical Therapy Student Council is looking forward to next year for the 11th Annual Hustle for Your Health race! 

by Maureen Kessler





























Thursday, September 29, 2011

PT Student Taylor Streid Featured in SLU Newslink

http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&ATCLID=205303073

Swim Team Hosted Blue-White Intrasquad Meet
Courtesy: Saint Louis Athletics
Release: 09/27/2011 
Taylor Streid Pictured Below




Courtesy:Saint Louis Athletics

The Saint Louis University swim teams hosted the Blue-White intrasquad meet Sunday, Sept. 25, in Simon Recreation Center. The Blue team was comprised entirely of the SLU freshman class, while all returning swimmers were members of the White team.

The Blue squad edged their White counterparts by a 230-194 score. In the men's meet, the Blue team posted a 124-86 win, while the returners on the women's squad helped the White team edge the Blue team 108-106.

Justin Pasquesi led the freshmen and won three events, the 200 free, 500 free and the 150 IM, while Zack Billingsley claimed first in the 50 free, and 100 free. Dustin Anderson touched first the 100 backstroke. Senior Brian Brasser led the veterans by winning the 50 and 100 breaststroke, and junior Will Butzke was victorious in the 50 and 100 fly.

Sophomore Lizzy Osterman led the winning White squad by taking the 100 fly and 500 free. Fellow sophomore Taylor Rogers won the 200 free, and sophomore Ellie Lorenzi touched first in the 50 free. Junior Taylor Streid finished first 150 IM, and sophomore Anne Marie Christensen came home first in the 100 breaststroke.

Leading the freshmen on the Blue team was JaLynn Gieseke who claimed first-place finishes in the 50 fly and 100 free. Melanie Battaglia won the 50 breaststroke, and Danielle Stickler was the winner in the 100 back.

The swimming and diving teams begin the 2011-12 season with a meet at Washington University Friday, Sept. 30.

SLU Swimming & Diving

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Dr. Cheryl Cavallo Honored Recipient of the Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Merit Award


Cheryl L. Cavallo PT, PhD ('68, '88, '00).
(Pictures courtesy of Saint Louis University Department of Alumni Relations)

Dr. Cavallo has served as a faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Saint Louis University for over 30 years. She has been active on numerous departmental, College, and University-wide committees, dealing with curriculum, student mentoring, academic integrity, teaching excellence, student conduct, and transition issues for new students. Recognized for excellence in teaching, she received the Nancy M. Ring Award in 1994 and a "Woman of the Year" Award in 2011 from Saint Louis University. Dr. Cavallo retired in June of 2011.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Cavallo has organized mission trips to El Salvador and Haiti. She is very involved in raising disability awareness and has recruited volunteers for the National Wheel Chair Games..


(Saint Louis University Alumni Relations Website)  

http://alumni.slu.edu/s/1264/index.aspx?sid=1264&gid=1&pgid=1612 

A luncheon was held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 to present Dr. Cavallo with the award.  Many colleagues, friends, and family gathered to celebrate with Dr. Cavallo.

PT Faculty and Students Participate in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike MS

Ten students and two faculty members in the Program in Physical Therapy participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike MS.  This two day bike ride was held on September 10th-11th.  Students and faculty rode their bikes 40, 75, or 100 miles each day to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  The team was The Kinetic Chain Gang - SLU Phycycle Therapy. 





For more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike MS and next year's National Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike MS event, click on the following link:

nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_MOS_homepage

And The Winners Are . . .

Congratulations to Dylan Schmidly and Blake Kocian for winning two tickets to see the Cardinals vs. Cubs on Friday, September 23, 2011.  The raffle proceeds will benefit the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council activities.  Thank you to all who helped make this fund-raiser a success.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Meet Kelly Hawthorne, PT, DPT, GCS: New Faculty Member for Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy



Prior to the start of the 2011 – 2012 academic year, we asked Dr. Hawthorne a series of questions to find out more about who she is and to get a synopsis of the person behind the Degree in Physical Therapy.  Here is Dr. Hawthorne in her own words:


Interviewer:  Kelly, will you tell us a little about your background? 

Kelly:  I was born in California.  I was raised mostly in Iowa, but also lived in Virginia, Louisiana, and Japan.  Also, I have one older brother.  My brother is married with 3 kids and lives in Iowa. 

Interviewer:  What is your educational background? In addition, what professional organizations are you a member and when did you become a member?

Kelly:  I received all three of my degrees from Saint Louis University (BSES, MPT, DPT).  I am a member of the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) which I joined as a student; I am also a member of MPTA (Missouri Physical Therapy Association).  In regards to national participation, I am a member of the Education, Geriatric, and Aquatic sections of APTA, and as well, I am involved in the Clinical Education Special Interest Group, and I am an Education section CSM Programming Committee member. 

Interviewer:  What about clinical practice; where have you practiced?

Kelly:  Right after graduation I worked for one year in outpatient pediatrics in Iowa.  For the past 10 years, as often as possible, I have worked in adult outpatient in Chicago and mostly with geriatric patients who usually presented with orthopedic issues in the aquatic setting.  Currently I work PRN outpatient orthopedic geriatrics.

Interviewer:  Are you involved in any area of service and teaching?

Kelly: I have taught Practice Issues I-V, Clerkships I-IV, Advanced Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology (not the pharmacology section), as well as lectures in other courses involving geriatrics, aquatics, PT/PTA relationship.  I am a substitute mentor for two interprofessional courses.  My favorite course I have taught is clinical rotations because I get to see students apply what they are learning in the classroom, in the clinic.  This is my first year to teach at Saint Louis University.   I most recently taught at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.  I taught one year at Morton College, which has a PTA Program, and do yearly guest lectures at Oakton Community College and Fox College.  In the past year I have been involved in YWCA Empowerment Day for Girls, Kids 1st Health Fair, and Senior Health and Wellness Fair.

Interviewer:  What is your favorite quote?

Kelly:   Docendo Discimus (“By teaching, we learn”)

Interviewer:  In another life what would you choose if not Physical Therapy as a profession?

Kelly:  If I was not a physical therapist I would be either a truck driver or bus driver.

Interviewer:  Kelly, tell us some of the research and scholarship opportunities you have been involved with.

Kelly:  So far, my scholarship has been related to student performance in structured clinical exams.  I am also interested in health literacy and patient education.  I would love to do more research with older adults. 

Interviewer:  Last question.  Tell us some fun facts about yourself.

Kelly:  My favorite bands/singers are Madonna, Pearl Jam, Mariah Carey, Van Halen.  I love movies (especially documentary films), and because I was raised in Iowa one of the most interesting documentary films for me is King Corn.  Good Will Hunting, Boomerang, Life is Beautiful are some of my other favorite movies.  And, if I could travel anywhere, I would go to Australia, Monaco, and Alaska.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Department Chair, Dr. Mark Reinking featured in the University News

By
September 8, 2011



Dr. Mark Reinking
 
Very few physical therapists or athletic trainers have discovered a new plant. Mark Reinking, chairman of the Saint Louis University Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, is not like most physical therapists. Working toward a master’s  degree in biology at Ohio State University, Reinking was identifying plants in an ecological study of an abandoned limestone quarry when one puzzled him. “I showed it to my advisor who was a botanist by training. He couldn’t identify it, and he knew every plant in the state of Ohio. We knew something weird was going on,” Reinking said. The quarry contained two species of the same genus. The plants were close enough genetically that they hybridized, creating a new species called Juncus x Stuckeyi. “The colloquial name is Stuckey’s Rush. This was my advisor’s name who suggested I name the plant after him,” Reinking said.

After working as a high school teacher and coach for seven years, Reinking became intrigued by sports injuries and decided to pursue athletic training and physical therapy.“Much of what we do in the rehab of athletes is teaching. It’s teaching about movement and position,” Reinking said.After practicing as a physical therapist and athletic trainer for several years, Reinking came to SLU as a faculty member, becoming department chairman in 2007. To him,  SLU was more than merely a job opportunity.“One reason for coming to SLU back in 1999 was the sense of community I felt at SLU – a community of students, staff and faculty. I continue to feel that way today,” Reinking said. Reinking said that he Jesuit mission of service aligned with his ideals of physical therapy. “Our professions are to serve. That’s just what we do,” Reinking said. “Professionally, I see ‘men and women for others’ as my job in serving people in pain, people who are injured, people who have disease, and helping them in their recovery.”

Reinking’s particular research interest is in injuries related to running. He collaborates with other faculty from SLU to develop models to predict injury risk factors. In addition to research and teaching, as chairman, Reinking is pursuing a vision to build nationally recognized programs in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. Though the Physical Therapy Department originated 77 years ago and Athletic Training was added in 2007, Reink- ing said he has equal concern for the growth and development of both programs. “Through the years, we have grown as a program in our reputation. We have some nationally-recognized scholars in our faculty,” Reinking said.

Outside of scholarship, Reinking plays guitar at his church and cycles. He said he plans to participate in an upcoming 150-mile ride that will raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. Whether he is biking, researching or developing academic programs, Reinking’s life centers around the ideals of the Jesuit mission. “Life, to me, is more joyful when it is spent in service rather than spent on self. [SLU] is a good fit. It’s a place where it’s more than being an academic,” Reinking said. “There’s a human side that I truly appreciate.”

Friday, August 5, 2011

Accreditation Information

The Program in Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 314-977-8505 or email sluptat@health.slu.edu.

Welcome to the SLU PT Blog!

The Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy now has a blog!  It will include interesting news and happenings pertaining to PT at SLU.

Allied Health Professions Building . . . home of Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy