SLU SSM Health PT Women's Health Resident talks about lifelong learning

pictured:  Laura Erb, PT, DPT and Bri Mulhearn, PT, DPT

SLU SSM Health PT Women's Health Resident, Dr. Bri Mulhearn, talks about lifelong learning

By Bri Mulhearn, PT, DPT

I started my residency in August of 2022. My experiences in the first 2 months have already made in impact on how I present myself as a physical therapist. Being a resident is a unique, explorative, humbling, but rewarding experience. It has allowed me to discover where my passions lie within the field of PT. It has fostered curiosity and allowed for me to focus on my role as a lifelong learner. It has also opened up different opportunities as a PT besides direct patient care that I had not considered at this point in my career.  

It can be overwhelming going into a 16-month residency program, and now with only 14 months left I can say that it is still a little overwhelming. I have learned a lot about myself in the few short months I have been involved with the program. I have learned that I enjoy being an educator, where my passions within PT lie, and that I have so much room to grow as a clinician. Being in a Women's Health Residency Program already puts me in such a niche area of PT, but within that niche there are so many routes to go and so much to learn, which I love. The field of women's and pelvic health is constantly evolving with the new research coming out. The program has worked with me to create an environment where I am able to explore my interests and help me to figure out what I want to do with my career.  

The term "lifelong learner" is heavily applied to my experiences as a resident. I have learned so much from mentors and from students that I have interacted with in these first few months. I have learned to stay curious and continue to ask questions. 

The learning environment in residency is much different from PT school as it is more collaborative, allows for open discussion, and challenges my own views on different topics within the field of PT. Being a TA for the first year PT students at SLU has taught me how much I have truly learned in all my education up to this point in my career. 

I have learned to have grace with myself, like I do with the students as they are learning new things. That is why I think it is so humbling to be a resident. Transitioning from a full time clinician to a resident made me realize how much there is to learn and how important education is, at any point in one's life. This realization has also helped me discover a passion for educating others, be it the community, students, or colleagues.  

My overall experience as a resident, while it may seem like a lot, has been nothing short of eye opening. I am looking forward to the future in the program and watching myself grow as a not only a PT, but as a person.  

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Women's Health program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-womens-health-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Jill Imgarten at jimgarten@ssm-select.com OR the SLU Director of Residency Education, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

SLU SSM Health PT Orthopedic Resident reflects on "favorite things"

SLU SSM Health PT Orthopedic Resident, Dr. Mark Welegala, reflects on "favorite things" 

By Mark Welegala, PT, DPT

I am a member of the 2022-2023 SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program. My experience thus far has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. Over the last two months, I have had the opportunity to work as a lab instructor, practice in an outpatient PT setting, and receive mentorship during live patient treatment sessions.  Pictured above with me is Pam Abbott, PT, DPT, OCS, (SLU Alumni, 2011) Residency Faculty member and member of the SLU DPT entry-level faculty.  Laura Erb, PT, DPT, SLU-SSM Health PT Women's Health Resident (SLU Alumni, 2021)  and Allie Wilson, PT, DPT, SLU SSM Health PT Orthopedic Resident.  

At the clinic in which I practice and at SLU, I am surrounded by clinical specialists who are always willing to provide any support needed to help me be successful. One of my favorite things about this residency program is their Jesuit Mindset.  (Just this past year, SLU celebrated the Ignatian Year:  https://www.slu.edu/mission-identity/ignatian-year.php )   

                       

I have been impressed with to level of excellence, professionalism, and kindness from each person that I have interacted with from the program. I am looking forward to advancing my skills as an educator, clinician, and researcher as I work to produce scholarly contributions for our profession. I am amazed each day at the number of opportunities for growth within this residency program!

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Women's Health program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-womens-health-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Jill Imgarten at jimgarten@ssm-select.com OR the SLU Director of Residency Education, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

 

Dr. Jazmon Carroll, SLU SSM Health PT Resident, says October means Growth!

Dr. Jazmon Carroll, SLU SSM Health PT Resident, says October means Growth!

        By Jazmon Carroll, PT, DPT, ATC  (SLU AT Alum, 2019)

It is now October. To some, this means “sweater weather” or “pumpkin spiced lattes” or “All Hallows’ Eve”, but to me, it means I have been an orthopedic physical therapy resident for a little over two months now. Thus far, my time spent within the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program has been all about progress and growth. Being a new graduate and transitioning from a student role to a role as an independent clinician can be intimidating, but fortunately for me, I have the support of the residency program. 

                                     

 

My experience two months into the residency program has already provided me with various opportunities in and outside of the clinic. Currently, I am employed at the SSM Health Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic in Edwardsville, IL where I treat a wide variety of patients with diverse orthopedic conditions. I not only treat patients, but I also participate in didactics coursework and assist with lab instruction within the SLU’s entry-level DPT program on a weekly basis. Other opportunities provided to me consists of participation in pro bono services to the Saint Louis community and attending seminars that has allowed me to gain further expert knowledge and network with other professionals within my profession. 

                            

Besides the opportunities above, one unique component that this program has to offer is the amount and level of mentoring that is provided. Unlike some residency programs, where they may have one or two available mentors, SLU-SSM Health has a multitude of clinical experts to serve as mentors. I have been lucky enough to have had four mentors thus far that have challenged my overall clinical reasoning in order to become more proficient and efficient. 

  

Overall, I can’t say that my time spent within this program has been easy, but I can definitely say that it has been rewarding. In a short amount of time, my practice and professional career has already grown beyond where I believe I would have been able to reach by myself, and I am excited to see my continued growth throughout the remaining months in this program. 

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Women's Health program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-womens-health-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Jill Imgarten at jimgarten@ssm-select.com OR the SLU Director of Residency Education, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

Laura Erb, PT, DPT (Women's Health Resident with SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Residencies) on Opportunities

Dr. Laura Erb (Women's Health Resident with SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Residencies) on Opportunities

by Laura Erb, PT, DPT  (SLU Alum 2021) 

My name is Laura Erb (pictured here on the left with my colleague Dr. Bri Mulhearn on the right). I'm a physical therapist and proud SLU alum (2021), and I'm a current resident in the Women's and Pelvic Health Residency in conjunction with SSM Health Physical Therapy. During PT school, I hadn't anticipated wanting to apply to residency programs, but after a year of practice I found myself wanting to know more, do more, and experience more within the field of physical therapy and all the options it has to offer.  

Thus far, residency has provided me with opportunities to be involved in one-on-one mentored patient care, allowing me to ask questions and further develop my clinical reasoning in complex patient cases. I am also involved in several lab courses at SLU Program in Physical Therapy throughout the next year, with opportunities to teach, guide, and collaborate with current SLU DPT students in various parts of their curriculum. I'm especially looking forward to working with the Professional Year 3 (PY3) students in delivering pelvic health-specific didactic and lab material in their musculoskeletal curriculum. I also have access to all the resources SLU has to offer to create a scholarly product throughout my residency with potential to publish my finished product. 

I have a true passion for pelvic health, and some of my favorite conditions to treat include urinary dysfunction and pelvic pain. In addition to pelvic health, I am also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and am completing my ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation certification, allowing me to receive mentorship and resources in working with these patients during residency.  

 

As one of only 15 ABPTRFE accredited Women's Health residency programs in the country, I am so thrilled that my two worlds of pelvic health and Saint Louis University could come together into this opportunity in a community I hold dear to my heart. 

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Women's Health program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-womens-health-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Jill Imgarten at jimgarten@ssm-select.com OR the SLU Director of Residency Education, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

For more information on the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

Thank You SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residents for Let's Talk About the Undervalued Gluteal Muscles

Thank you to the SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residents for their Let’s Talk…About the Undervalued gluteal muscles presentation to the SLU clinical education community. There were over 80 attendees to the 50-minute discussion via zoom. Pictured here Dr. Shelby Wilson, Dr. Ben Modde, and Dr. Juan Paz Delgado. Each shared a case with a relevant article and discussed how that article impacted their care of the patient.

Hosted by the SLU Program in Physical Therapy’s Clinical Education Team and moderated today by Dr. Carol Beckel, DCE; the Let’s Talk series has been a yearlong outreach to the SLU clinical education faculty to engage on numerous topics. Each is presented via zoom and attendees can earn CEUs. The next Let’s Talk presentation will be on July 19, 2022, at Noon CST with the SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Women’s Pelvic Health Residents, Drs Brea Rhein and Alex Lanty.

The SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program is an accelerated post-licensure program to advance the orthopedic skills of physical therapists. It is the only ABPTRFE accredited orthopedic physical therapy residency in Missouri. Founded and accredited in 2014-2015, this unique collaboration between Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy and SSM Health Physical Therapy currently has 3 Residents and has graduated 16 licensed physical therapists. In addition to clinical practice and teaching in the entry-level DPT program, each resident completes over 150 hours of mentoring and over 300 hours of educational experiences.

For more information on the program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

SLUT DPT Student and SLU PT Faculty Member Present at CSM 2020

Congratulations to SLU DPT Student, Lauren Groszek (Class of 2021) who was highlighted in the February 2020 SLU Professional Notes in Newslink. Groszek presents her poster with SLU Program in Physical Therapy Faculty member and mentor, Dr. Kim Levenhagen at #CSM2020.

To read more, visit https://www.slu.edu/news/announcements/2020/february/february-professional-notes.php?fbclid=IwAR2d5WzirczkUxQfVyVcqzzxSBIupSSCZixgLXRfrWE01kVrhURCGXNVbJ0