Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas from the Program in Physical Therapy!

Merry Christmas!
 from the Program in Physical Therapy
 Wishing you and yours a peaceful, merry and bright holiday!

Friday, December 21, 2012

San Diego Physical Therapy Alumni Reception


The Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Association cordially invites alumni, faculty, students and friends to attend the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy Alumni Reception at the American Physical Therapy Association 2013 Combined Sections Meeting on January 23, 2013.

Hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. All attendees who pre-register will receive one free drink ticket!
Use this link for more event information and to register.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

How Randy Richter Stole Christmas

This year part of the PT office’s holiday decorations included How Randy Richter stole Christmas. Check out the album below to see PT Who Ville faculty and staff and of course, Randy Richter as our Grinch.













Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Emma Bowen and Alex Feinberg: Be Prepared

When challenged with presenting what their time has been like so far as PT students at SLU, Emma Bowen and Alex Feinberg (Class of 2017) came up with this witty and humorous article full of fun facts and interesting details of what life as a young PT SLU student is like:

PT Students Emma Bowen and Alex Feinberg (Class of 2017)
 
“Prepare to have your intellect defied.” These words resonate in our heads on a daily basis as we learn and experience new things as sophomore PT students. We would like to extend this mantra to you by sharing our experiences from the past year and a half and some fun facts we have learned along the way. Be Prepared.

  We were both primarily interested in the field of physical therapy because as high school athletes we both experienced physical therapy and saw the difference it can make on the road to recovery. Our interest in the field was further enhanced by our interests in science, specifically how the body works. However, the aspect of physical therapy that really confirmed our passion was the interaction with people. It is amazing that we will be able to form relationships with patients and be a part of their journey to recovery.

FUN FACT #1: Dr. Mark Reinking, our Program Director, is probably one of the few physical therapists to ever discover a new plant. Personally, if we were to accomplish such a feat we like the sound of the Bowenus-Feinbergius plant.

Our first semester here we both found our way onto the club lacrosse team and are still devoted lax bros. Funny enough so did 10 of our fellow PT majors. So that makes up roughly 67% percent of our beloved team. Needless to say, injuries, exercises and stretches are the hot topics at practices. At our first team meeting we went around the room saying our names and majors. The number of players who, like us, were PT majors was surprising at first until we made the connection between physical therapy and lacrosse.

FUN FACT #2: The Koi fish that live in the Zen garden of the Doisy Research Center are relocated for the winter to the ponds by Chaifetz. This is because the ponds by Chaifetz are deep enough for the Koi fish to survive the winter. (This fun fact is brought to you by Catherine Zaegel)

FUN FACT #2a. Microsoft word does not recognize the word Koi.
 
This connection is that as physical therapist students and lacrosse players we strive to live a healthy life style by keeping active and in the company of good friends. The passion for lacrosse is also similar to the passion we have for physical therapy. Supporting our teammates is also preparation for supporting our patients. We push each other on the field when necessary and always have the best interest of the team at heart.

FUN FACT #3: The giant Billiken topiary in front of the BSC is taken apart and transported by a truck to a classified location for the winter. Perhaps the Billiken can survive in the Koi pond too?

As sophomores we are still taking some of the more general classes. However, this does not mean they are not interesting…

FUN FACT #4: Did you know that the surface area of the small intestine is larger than a tennis court? Our reaction to hearing this in physiology class:
           
 Emma: “That’s so cool!”
 Alex: “That’s disgusting.”

           
We look forward to the next four and a half years here at SLU and can’t wait to see what else is in store for us as physical therapy students.

Peace, Love, Blessings,

Alex & Emma



Friday, December 14, 2012

This Week's Christmas Hats


Monday

Tuesday


Wednesday

Thursday



Friday

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Congratulations to Ethel Frese on her Certificate of Leadership

Congratulations to Program in Physical Therapy Associate Professor,
Ethel Frese
on being awarded the Certificate of Leadership by the
 Saint Louis University Women’s Commission!


Friday, December 7, 2012

Olivia Castillo in Madrid

PT Student Olivia Castillo (Class of 2016) is currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. Read her passionate account of the beautiful sights, people, and lifestyle of Madrid!

Why did you choose your site?

I chose Madrid, Spain for a number of reasons: I love the Spanish culture, there’s so much to do in this city, and I knew I would have a home away from home at SLU Madrid’s campus.

What did you anticipate? Were you nervous? Excited?

Unfortunately, I think my hopes and anticipations interfered a little with my sense of reality in that I anticipated myself to be a lot more comfortable with the Spanish language than I really was. Although it has not come as naturally as I would have hoped, I am so glad that I am here in Madrid, where I am truly immersed in the language. In the Spanish speaking countries I have traveled to other than Spain, I always try and speak Spanish, but I am always in such a commercial area that I can just “cop out” and proceed to talk in English. Especially within my (only Spanish speaking) host family location, I have truly enjoyed the challenge of learning and improving my Spanish language skills here.

I was really excited to be away from my normal environment—and have a real change in my life. The slower paced, Spanish way of life is great for a typically busy student at SLU. I’ve been able to enjoy things that I may not have time to do while in the states.

What surprised you the most about your experience? What about the other culture surprised or shocked you?
           
What really surprised me were the Spanish hours of operation. They have a daily “siesta” that takes place in the middle of the workday. Usually, from the hours of 2-5:30pm, all businesses will close up shop and enjoy a large lunch and maybe even a nap. After their daily siesta, the doors open once again and stay open well past 8:00pm. This newfound lifestyle surprised me, but it was a good surprise. I love that I can go to school, spend some time around Madrid, and still run my errands even as late as 9:00pm. I tend to be a night owl, so this way of life is great for me.

What did you see that impressed you the most?

I have truly loved Retiro Park in Madrid. It’s the largest park in the city of Madrid and there really is something for everyone there. I always see kids or teenagers playing soccer, couples canoeing in their row-boats, or families walking through the elegant gardens.

El Rastro is also a really great experience. This is a Sunday market that gathers just about the entire city into about a one mile block radius. It’s packed full of people, trinkets, souvenirs from Madrid, cheap scarves or purses, and even antique paintings or furniture. Some things may be seen as “junk,” but I really see culture and character in the antique items the Madrileños are trying to sell.



Retiro Park


Retiro Park



El Rastro


El Rastro


Can you describe some of the food that you loved best? Any food experiences that didn’t go as planned/well?
           
I love paella! It’s a typical Spanish meal which I would consider very similar to a stir fry made with rice, green beans, peppers, seafood or chicken, and much more. It’s nice and warm, and some places serve to your entire table. If you bring a table of 5, they will bring out a monstrous size platter of paella for all of you to share! It’s a fun, tasty experience.

Did you make friends with some of the people native to that site? What was that experience like? Did they make you notice things about your own culture that surprised you?

I was actually able to make a whole bunch of friends from Madrid—my entire ESL class. A fellow SLU student, Kacie Black, and I enjoyed teaching English as a second language to adults residing in Madrid. As well as being such caring, genuine people, they truly worked hard to master our sometimes-complicated English language.

They did make me notice a few things about our own culture. I would say that our American culture has a very large impact on the people in other parts of the world. My roommate and fellow SLU student, Colleen Maxwell, conducted a sociology study addressing the opinions of the Madrileños concerning politics in the United States. Her research suggested that the majority of the Madrileños surveyed were very interested in American politics because they felt it had an impact on their life here in Spain.

Aside from the students in my ESL class, I found other Madrileños to be very helpful in my everyday troubles as a foreign student. When I needed help finding the peanut butter at the grocery store, a Madrileña appeared out of nowhere and immediately became the liaison between the grocery store employee and myself. Explaining to the employee “peanut butter is actually really popular in the United States,” I was quickly able to satisfy my craving. I will also never forget the time when a Madrileña walked me all the way down the street to get me to the right location, after I clearly misunderstood the man behind the counter at the bank. And to top it all off, my host mom Mary Paz is wonderful! I’ve loved being surrounded by what seems to be so many genuine Spaniards.        

ELS Class

How were your classes? Did you have the opportunity to take a class that fit into the culture of that site (such as art history of Spain, etc.)?

I have definitely enjoyed my class schedule this semester. The PT course load is very manageable this semester because of the break off of the sciences! I am taking a Latin Rhythms and Dance Class where my classmates and I learn to dance the Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, and Tango. I have loved having the opportunity to show our new dance skills in a popular Salsa Club in the city. The dances we learn are truly part of the current Spanish culture. As well, I liked learning of the backgrounds of each of the dances.

Interestingly enough, our dance professor is also a physical therapist. She works in an outpatient clinic a few days a week where she especially treats dancers, actors, or other art professionals. All of the PT students in the dance class were able to observe one of the therapy sessions.

Would you recommend that other PT students study abroad? Would you recommend your site to them?

I strongly recommend that other PT students study abroad. Knowing that we’ll have a busy professional career ahead of us, it is important to take advantage of the opportunities given to us to see the world, take some time off, and learn something new. I strongly admire Saint Louis University’s encouragement to PT students to study abroad. Although I strongly recommend the SLUMadrid Campus, in my opinion, any abroad location will be worthwhile, no matter where it is.


Fiesta National de Espana (October 12th), which commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s first arrival in the Americas

In front of the Royal Palace

More Christmas Hats!

Check out the rest of Jennifer Baine’s Christmas hats for this week! See The First Christmas Hat of the Season for more…
Wednesday (this is for when the elves play Hide and Go Seek with the reindeer…)


Thursday




Friday


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The First Christmas Hat of the Season!


The first Christmas hat of the season has been spotted! Administrative Assistant for the Athletic Training Program, Jennifer Baine claims to have enough Christmas caps to last her through 25 days of Christmas. We’ll feature everyone we spot her in, so keep watch!


VOTE treats


Adjunct Instructor Kathy Mora poses next to her “Vote” treats. Mora brought treats for the last day of DPT 502, Aspects of Nutrition for Physical Therapy. The cookies on the left are Michelle Obama’s recipe, the cookies on the right are Ann Romney’s recipe, and the clementines are Kathy’s!


Friday, November 30, 2012

Local High School Students Learn Hands-on About AT and PT From SLU Faculty and Students

Check out the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program’s blog for an article about the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training hosting students from Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School interested in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training:


SLU PT students Taylor Streid and Elena Gray (Class of 2015)


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Decorating the Hunter College Giving Tree


PT students Annie Green and Jackie Vandas (Class of 2013) help to decorate the Hunter College Giving Tree in the PT office

Students can donate $1.00 and make an ornament or donate $1.50 and Kate Lochhead at the front will make the ornament for you.
All proceeds go towards the Program in Physical Therapy at Hunter College, which was greatly damaged by Storm Sandy.


The Hunter College Giving Tree so far…

PT students Kristen Guzak, Maggie Null, and Vicky Cichocki (Class of 2015) making ornaments


Jaime Heede and SLUDM 2012

Jaime Heede (Class of 2017) participated in this year’s Saint Louis University Dance Marathon on the executive board as co-chair of catering and Moral Captain. With an encouraging total of over $63,000 funds raised and 435 participants, we can’t help but be proud of everyone who worked to make SLUDM a success. Read Jaime’s article to see how she became interested in doing all of this “for the kids!”  
Saint Louis University Dance Marathon was a huge success!  In only its second year on the Saint Louis University campus, the yearlong fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis culminated in a twelve hour event in the Wool Ballrooms and started on Saturday November 17th at 3pm.  The event was full of tons of fun, friends, performances, music and dancing, a choreographed line dance, food, and stories from formerly hospitalized children and their families.  One of the mottos of Dance Marathon is “we stand for those who can’t”; thus, participants stand the entire twelve hours of the event to honor the children currently being treated by Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.  A second motto is “For the Kids” or simply, “FTK” which sums up why so many dedicate their time and money towards such a worthy cause that affects the local community.   The funds raised this year totaled over $63,000, more than doubling the event’s first year total.  That sum will be split equally between St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.  This year we had 435 participants who helped us to make the night of the event wonderful, as well as raise the incredible amount of money that we did.

On a more personal note, this year I had the opportunity to take my experience with Dance Marathon to the next level by becoming a member of the executive board as a co-chair of catering.  It was my job to ensure that all the dancers had plenty to eat and drink to keep fueled for the duration of the event.  My responsibilities included contacting food vendors and restaurants to obtain donations.  At the event we had pizza, sub sandwiches, a nacho bar, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, fruit, snacks, sliders, and bagels.  This level of involvement granted me one-on-one contact with children treated at the two hospitals SLU Dance Marathon supports as well as visits of those two facilities.

My involvement in SLU Dance Marathon has included being a Moral Captain (teaching the line dance at the event) as well as my position on the board.  I love having the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of kids who have been hospitalized.  My knowledge of physical therapy and health care has made me even more passionate about what this organization stands for and will make me a better professional in the future.  Hearing the stories of the families in attendance at the event is such an inspiring time that humbles me and motivates me to be the hope for a child I may care for in the future.
Mark your calendars for SLU Dance Marathon 2013 on November 16th!  And to keep up to date with other SLU Dance Marathon events and information, be sure to check out our website (http://sludm.org), like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Make an Ornament Make a Difference with the Hunter College Giving Tree!

Students can come into the PT office and decorate an ornament (supplies provided) for $1.00. The ornament will go on the office’s Hunter College Giving Tree (see picture) and the money will be donated to the Program in Physical Therapy at Hunter College to assist in their recovery from Storm Sandy!

Chris Sorgani (Class of 2016) is the first PT student to put an ornament on the tree


Chris Sorgani’s handcrafted ornament


Photos from STUCO's 2012 Turkey Bowl!