Monday, April 17, 2017

2017 PT Admitted Student Day

Katie Solon, Kim Levenhagen, the Billiken, Maddy Cordier, & Alison Alexander
The Program in Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University hosted admitted students and their families during PT Admitted Student Day on Friday, April 7, 2017. PT Admitted Student Day is a special opportunity for students to become acquainted with SLU’s exceptional Program in Physical Therapy.
Admitted students who came to the event had an opportunity to meet many of their future classmates and speak with a panel of current PT students. We consider our current students to be ambassadors for the progam as they volunteer their time to discuss their experiences of the program and the university with visiting students and their families.
Jared Roznowski, Natalie Wright, Ben Modde, Caroline Sauer, Niamh Ryan, & Lauren Foster

Jared Roznowski, Natalie Wright, Ben Modde, Caroline Sauer, Niamh Ryan, & Lauren Foster
Admitted students and their families learned about SLU’s unique six-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum, including the interprofessional education, clinical education, and faculty research that set SLU apart from other colleges.
Megan Gilbert, Elanna Arhos, Mike Gentile, Simone Romero, Rochelle Reyes, & Anthony Lorenger

Megan Gilbert, Elanna Arhos, Mike Gentile, Simone Romero, Rochelle Reyes, & Anthony Lorenger
While at the event, our student ambassadors gave tours of the Program in Physical Therapy’s facilities at SLU's South Campus. This included a look inside our labs as well as an opportunity to see our PY2 students preparing for their practical exams.
Student Ambassador Rochelle Reyes with the Billiken
All had an opportunity to engage with their future professors and future classmates at the reception following the event. Representatives from Financial Aid, the Office of Admission, and several other SLU organizations were also available to answer questions they may have had. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make this day happen.

We feel that SLU is a fantastic place to learn, be involved, make friends, and achieve your goals. We can't wait to see you again this fall!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

SLU PT StuCo Raises Money for Relay For Life

On Saturday, April 1st, SLU PT StuCo and others from the Saint Louis University community fought back against a disease that affects everyone in some way - cancer. More than $139,000 was raised by SLU Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, with StuCo raising $1,396. All of the proceeds raised by Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society in order to fund a nationwide cause to put an end to cancer.
Anthony Lorenger and Clarine Stephens with other members of the Event Leadership Team
SLU PT Students Anthony Lorenger (DPT Class of 2022) and Clarine Stephens (DPT Class of 2019) were part of the Event Leadership team and on the same committee that helped coordinate Saturday's event. This is the 14th year for Relay on SLU's campus. Over the years, Saint Louis University has raised more than $1.9 million as part of this fundraiser, benefitting cancer research, patient care, recovery programs, education and more. Funds even help our local community. We have the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in St. Louis, which provides free lodging and transportation to cancer patients and their care givers while they are in treatment.
Anthony Lorenger (left) pictured with fellow cancer survivors Justyna and Dean.
"Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back." SLU's Relay for Life event takes time to celebrate those who have been affected by cancer, remember those we've lost, and motivate others to finish strong. During the Fight Back Ceremony, Anthony shared his story as a survivor during his speech.

Thank you to all who particiapted and donated.

Visit the PT Stuco Relay for Life Team Page to make a donation.

Are you a survivor or know a cancer survivor? Email slusurvivors@gmail.com.




Tuesday, April 11, 2017

SLU PT Study Abroad Opportunity - Madrid, Spain

Say Yes and Make Madrid Your Campus
by Jamie Brew, DPT Class of 2020

I chose to study in Madrid for multiple reasons. Logistically, it made the most sense financially as well as in terms of guaranteeing class credits. I also chose Madrid because I knew going to study abroad was already stepping outside of my comfort zone, but having people that I knew there with me would definitely help with my adjustment to living abroad. Having taken Spanish since the fifth grade also played a role in my decision.

I had talked to many students who had studied in Madrid before, so I thought I had a pretty good idea of how the semester would go. I knew I would be traveling a lot, and I also knew that I was going to have to say “yes” to a lot more things, whether it be to food or even just an event I wouldn’t normally want to go to. Before leaving, I was both excited and nervous. I was excited to get the chance to travel, but nervous about staying with a host family and not being able to communicate very well. I also didn’t know who half of the girls that I would be living with were, so that added to my anxiety about it.
Catedral de Almudena
Going into abroad, I had mostly envisioned myself traveling outside of Spain a lot. What really surprised me was how much I grew to love Madrid. There were weekends that I would dread traveling because I wanted to be able to explore more of Madrid or spend more time with my host parents. I had done some research on the Spanish culture, so I can’t say that I was incredibly surprised by my interactions with the locals. Of anything, I wished I had interacted even more than them, although it is tough when my Spanish vocabulary is just not as large as I would like. The culture is really something to embrace. It is much more laid back than here in the States (you also learn to call America “the States”), and just overall a very different lifestyle that I feel very fortunate to have embraced.

Trying to think of the most impressive thing I saw is very difficult, because there was not a single thing that I thought, “yeah, I’m not really that impressed”. Major spots in Madrid are Palacio Real, Catedral de La Almudena, Parque del Retiro, Temple of Debod, Museo del Prado, Plaza de Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel. Each of these places are so unique to Madrid, and visiting these really enhances the cultural experience.
Palacio Real
A famous plate in Spain is paella, a rice and chicken or seafood mix. Personally, I was not a huge fan of paella (no offense to Maria, my host mom), but everyone seemed to love it there. You can get it almost anywhere, usually served in a massive pan. My host mom couldn’t even cook it on our stovetop, she had to bring in a separate appliance to cook it.

While studying in Madrid, I was able to observe a physical therapist, Susie, who was also a dance teacher at SLU Madrid. She hosted three seminars throughout the semester that any student could sign up for, although many did not know about this opportunity. Her seminars were focused on ankle sprains, patellar tendinitis, and epicondylitis (golf elbow). In these seminars, Susie first discussed the anatomy associated with the theme for the day, and then either had us look at her patient or work on each other to understand how to best treat it. This was a very unique experience, and I highly recommend to any PT students going to study abroad to ask about this the very first week so that they can work it in their schedules to attend.
Real Madrid game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Another unique opportunity offered when studying abroad in Madrid is the host family experience. Rather than living in a form of campus housing or finding your own apartment to lease, you can choose to stay with a Spanish family who can cook and clean for you. Other than relying on them for chores, I was also able to form an incredibly special bond to my host parents which really aided in being more immersed in the culture and making Madrid feel like home.
Me and my host parents, Maria y Luis
This is one of several posts featuring SLU PT Student study abroad experiences. Because of its unique format, the SLU PT program gives students the ability to study abroad the fall of their junior year. For more information about study abroad experiences at SLU go to: http://www.slu.edu/study-abroad.

Monday, April 10, 2017

SLU PT Students Learn Aquatic Therapy Techniques During Splish Splash Bash


On Saturday, April 8th, 2017, Diane Richter, PT, of Anderson Hospital Outpatient Therapy demonstrated various aquatic therapy techniques to our DPT students. Splish Splash Bash took place at the pool at the Simon Recreation Center on SLU’s campus.


Aquatic therapy refers to treatment in water for physical rehabilitation. The techniques can be used to treat neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and disabilities, to name a few. The students reviewed the physiological effects different water properties can have on a person’s body. Diane Richter also taught them various types of water exercise suitable for both deep and shallow water.


Thank you to Diane Richter, PT and SLU PT StuCo for an engaging and rewarding experience!

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Lori Tuttle, PT, PhD


SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Lori Tuttle, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Current City: San Diego, CA

SLU PT Class of 2004

Interests, Activities, Clubs, and Professional Organizations: 
Women's Health, Acute Care, APTA, American Urogynecology Association

If you could come back to SLU and teach a class, which class would you like to teach?

Probably Exercise Physiology--it had such an impact on my patient care when I practiced in Acute Care.

What was the most valuable lesson — inside or outside the classroom — you learned at SLU?

I learned that getting every question right on an exam isn't what makes you a good PT; your ability to connect with your patients and communicate with them is what will be more important than book knowledge.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

Being chosen as the Most Influential Faculty Member for the DPT graduating class of 2016 at San Diego State has been the highlight so far. It made me feel like I had made a connection with my students and that I would ultimately have an impact on clinical practice through them.


What advice do you have for students getting ready to graduate with their DPT?

I think it's important to be open to new opportunities that evolve in your practice--when I started out in PT school, I never would have predicted that I would love both Acute Care and Women's Health. Had I been closed-minded, I would have missed out on work that I love.

You can learn more about Dr. Tuttle's accomplishments here. Lori just received a fantastic score on an NIH R01 grant (score = 21, 9th percentile -- better than 91% of the applications submitted). This means it is very likely to get funded. Her project is called "An Innovative Rehabilitation Approach for Women with Anal Incontinence". It's a 5-year study with a $2.5 million budget. We couldn't be more proud of her. This is VERY hard to do!

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/.