Thursday, March 31, 2022

SLU PT Student Kay Mastrocola had a Supportive and Well Rounded Experience at Concentra Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey


SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight – Concentra Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey

By Kay Mastrocola (Class of 2022)

My clinical experience was supportive and well-rounded. My clinical instructor, Claire Gatchallian, offered exceptional compassion and empathy to both myself and our patients but also a fair amount of "tough love" and realism when it was needed. Her knowledge was unmatched, and she was always there to assist and educate. She took everything under the mantra of "it is what it is", and it resonated. Often as a physical therapist, there is a lot we can't control, but being able to recognize the things we can help with and improve and offer that to patients is something I will forever carry with me.



Thank you for being the true meaning of "dura mater". Tough but with love and compassion. You allowed me safe boundaries to grow and allowed me to be creative while also rounding out my edges and fine-tuning my new skills as a physical therapist. I was never afraid to ask questions and knew I could always count on you for help, even a year later. The time with you solidified my desire to be a physical therapist and I enjoyed every single day working alongside you and I'm so grateful to continue sharing my successes with you (and European travel stories).

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.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

SLU PT Student Ian McDonell Enjoyed his Experience at Francis Howell School District in St. Charles, Missouri

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight – Francis Howell School District, St. Charles Missouri

By Ian McDonnell (Class of 2022)

Working for Francis Howell School District was a great experience! I enjoyed each day working with a wide variety of kids with different pediatric diagnoses. I learned many things about how to incorporate PT into the school setting. I learned how to meet kids where they were at, and how to get creative with therapy sessions to keep kids engaged.

I am very lucky to have learned from my clinical instructors and SLU PT alumni, Ann Eggering and Theresa Winkler, and I am thankful for their extensive knowledge in this setting. I am grateful for all that I learned on this rotation, and I appreciate their willingness to help me learn and grow as a student PT! Thank you for helping to realize my potential in working with this patient population!

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.


Tuesday, March 29, 2022

SLU PT Student Daniel Kelly had a Great Opportunity at SSM Physical Therapy Downtown St. Louis, Missouri

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - SSM Physical Therapy Downtown St. Louis, Missouri

By Daniel Kelly (Class of 2022)

With this clinical experience, I was given the time and opportunity to ask all of the questions I could ever think of, in addition to having a ClinicaI Instructor and SLU Alumni (Class of 2015), Kevin Murray, who was available and honored with lengthy discussions about specific clinical and non-clinical content.  I learned extensively about manual therapy, orthopedic conditions, and patient management. 


Thank you for the incredible experience!  Your role in my development was highly beneficial!

 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.

Friday, March 25, 2022

SLU PT Student Kaitlyn Kohm had Great Guidance at Advanced Training and Rehab in Kirkwood, Missouri



SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Advanced Training and Rehab Kirkwood, Missouri

By Kaitlyn Kohm (Class of 2022)

I have spent the last few months working alongside my clinical instructor and SLU alumni (Class of 2016), Chris Sorgani, DPT, as well as two other SLU DPT alum, and PTAs that taught me so much about treating and managing orthopedic conditions. During my time at Advanced Training & Rehab in Kirkwood, I really started to break out of my shell and demonstrate more confidence in my abilities as a future physical therapist. Before this clinical experience, I was pretty sure I did not see myself in an outpatient orthopedic setting due to the demanding caseload, but this clinic made me do a 180 on my attitude of where I want to practice after graduation. I really learned how to work as a team player while providing excellent patient-centered care. I formed genuine connections with my patients and significantly improved my communication skills with the guidance of these therapists. I loved how all the patients are welcomed by everyone at this clinic right as they enter the door and they all get to know the patients, even if they do not typically work with them. There was never a dull moment and I will cherish all the interactions and experiences I had here. Thank you ATR!



Chris, thank you for the wonderful experience and countless learning opportunities during my time here. Even though it didn't seem like it, I appreciated you asking me questions and putting me on the spot to further my clinical reasoning. AND thank you for answering all my questions I would throw at you.

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.

Friday, March 4, 2022

Eric Estill DPT, Memorial Endowed Scholarship


The Eric Estill DPT, Memorial Endowed Scholarship is for professional year II students in the Program in Physical Therapy. This scholarship is intended to support a student that has dedicated themselves to their studies but may not be at the highest level of academic achievement with a GPA between 3.2 and 3.75. Applicants should demonstrate financial need and display a commitment to the community at large, whether that is locally or internationally. Eric Estill (DPT Class of 2015) was moved by the service he provided to others; this same passion should be evident in the student recipient.

Fund will be administered by the Program in Physical Therapy Student Affairs Committee. If you have any questions, please contact Jill Fitzgerald at 314-977-8756 or jill.fitzgerald@health.slu.edu.

Students can apply for the scholarship here: https://slu.academicworks.com/opportunities/17993

Learn more about our student scholarships on the Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences website: https://www.slu.edu/doisy/about/scholarships-for-current-students.php

If you wish to support this student scholarship or others, please visit the Saint Louis University Giving Page: https://giving.slu.edu/doisy