APTA Level 1 & 2 Clinical Instructor Credentialing Course and SLU Physical Therapy

Dr. Carol Beckel, PT, Ph.D., taught the APTA Level 1 Clinical Instructor Credentialing Course on November 13 & 14, 2021 in a closed course for 30 clinical instructors at Advanced Training and Rehab (ATR). The Level 1 course assist clinicians in developing teaching skills to supervise PT and PTA students during clinical placements. SLU faculty offers trainers for either Level 1 or Level 2 Clinical Instructor Credentialing Courses. The Level 2 course aids in developing the clinical curriculum at clinical sites. If you are interested in these courses, contact us at slu_pt_clin_ed@health.slu.edu.

SLU Program in Physical Therapy Collaborates with the Department of Fine Arts in Teaching and Research

Scholarship Spotlight: SLU faculty present "What Do You See? Arts-Based Education to Facilitate Observation and Clinical Reasoning Skills" at the 2021 American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Sections Meeting.

Presented by Chris Anne Sebelski, PT, DPT, PhD, Elissa Claire Held Bradford, PT, PhD, Barbara Lynn Yemm, PT, DPT, Olubukola Gbadegesin, PhD, Cathleen Fleck, PhD, and Ann Marcolina Hayes, PT, DPT, MHS

This presentation at the Virtual CSM2021 is representative of the ongoing teaching and research collaboration between the Program in Physical Therapy and the Department of Fine Arts.  The SLU art historians facilitate a deeper “seeing” of fine art which transfer to greater observational skills by the physical therapist students. 

Students’ beliefs in their observational skills and their clinical reasoning were improved post-session as determined by pre-post survey data.  Qualitative analysis of narrative descriptions of observations yielded the following results: students improved in documentation of the descriptive context and interpretation of the situation.  This suggests that transfer of learning was achieved for observation of more static constructs.  

The research in the Program in PT with the Fine Arts Department continues.  The findings of this study are in alignment with other studies completed in other healthcare disciplines.  Arts based education, facilitated by art historians, results in a positive impact on student’s confidence in observation skills.   

Learn more about their research on the conference's programming website: https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2021/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/29963

Story by Kristin Hrasky

SLU PT Student Joins APTA Student Assembly for Missouri

Congratulations Brandon Moseley, DPT Class of 2021, APTA Student Assembly Core Ambassador for Missouri!

To learn more about our Physical Therapy Program, visit https://catalog.slu.edu/colleges-schools/health-sciences/physical-therapy-athletic-training/physical-therapy-program/

SLU PT Alumni Selected for APTA Missouri's First Centennial Scholar

DPT Class of 2018 Alumni, Beth Hughes, is selected to serve as APTA Missouri's First Centennial Scholar.  The APTA Centennial Scholars Program is designed to build a cadre of future association leaders at both the chapter/section/academy and national levels. 

Demonstrating APTA’s investment in the sustainability of the association as it begins its next 100 years, the program will support our collective quest for a diverse and prepared leadership pool. The 12-month program will run throughout 2021 with a goal of engaging 100 scholars, including the goal of at least one scholar sponsored by each of APTA’s chapters, sections, and academies. Congratulations, Dr. Hughes!  

To learn more about our Physical Therapy Program, visit https://catalog.slu.edu/colleges-schools/health-sciences/physical-therapy-athletic-training/physical-therapy-program/

SLU PT Faculty Serves in the APTA Covid-19 Resource Panel Task Force

Kim Levenhagen, DPT, of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, is serving as a representative from the Academy of Acute Care PT to the APTA COVID-19 Resource Panel Task Force. 

Her service has resulted in the creation of several resources for practitioners in the field related to the COVID-19 pandemic including:

A co-written report, “The Aerosol Generating Procedure,” as well as  series of webinars to respond to the needs from Outpatient to Inpatient shift and COVID 19, including:

APTA Learning Center Series

Productivity vs. Value: Why We Need to Change the Discussion, and How YOU Can! CEUs:  0.2 CEUs/2 contact hours/CCUs (including assessment)

Arterial Blood Gases (0.1 CEU)

Putting the Value Back in Lab Results (0.1 CEU)

Tips on Drips- Integrating ICU Pharmacology into PT practice (0.1 CEU) 

To learn more about our Physical Therapy Program, visit https://catalog.slu.edu/colleges-schools/health-sciences/physical-therapy-athletic-training/physical-therapy-program/

SLU PT Faculty Member Co-Authors APTA Oncology's First Major Treatment-Related CPG

Way to go SLU Program in Physical Therapy Faculty Member, Dr. Kim Levenhagen, who co-authored the APTA Oncology's first major treatment-related CPG. This is specifically a resource on the treatment of lymphedema related to breast cancer. The article highlights the physical therapist's role in recovery.

To read more about the article, visit https://www.apta.org/article/2020/06/26/new-pt-focused-lymphedema-guideline-follows-care-trajectory?_zs=8ATfV1&_zl=puAu6&fbclid=IwAR0p81lZXT-CEUk5XFxblvA73rLKZikZ5mJSD7Jqzk9d12kGWmsQNXpyIAI

SLU PT Faculty Member Presents at the Physical Therapy Considerations of Neurologic Presentations in COVID-19

Sending a hearty "thank you" to SLU Program in Physical Therapy Faculty Member, Dr. Kim Levenhagen, who will be presenting at the "Physical Therapy Considerations of Neurologic Presentations in COVID-19" on Saturday April 25, 2020. This webinar is presented in collaboration with the APTA Section on Health Policy and Administration the Catalyst, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, and the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy. 

To register, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/998243714740537359?fbclid=IwAR2y97o_BkoE8AUd47voieWjWFRSpNUrQD97kNSRfhoR1pwUlygXIxczIMQ

SLU PT Students Recognized by the Foundation for Physical Therapy

Left: SLU DPT Student Caroline Lipic
Right: President Edelle Field-Fote, PT, PHD, FAPTA

Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy Receives National Recognition for its Contribution to the Pitt-Marquette Challenge

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research awarded the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students with an Honorable Mention for their efforts to support the Foundation through the 2018-2019 Pitt-Marquette Challenge. Altogether, the SLU Program in Physical Therapy raised over $3,000 in donations during Spirit Week of November 2018.

Top fundraising schools for the 2018-2019 Pitt Marquette Challenge
Far Left: SLU DPT Student, Caroline Lipic

Top fundraising schools, like Saint Louis University, were announced on June 13, 2019, at the Foundation’s Awards Luncheon held during the 2019 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) NEXT Conference and Exposition in Chicago. Marquette University co-hosted the luncheon which was also sponsored by the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT).

Traveling to Chicago for the APTA(NEXT) Conference, SLU DPT Student Caroline Lipic was able to accept the award on behalf of all SLU PT students involved in the campaign. Pictured at top, Edelle Field-Fote, PT, PHD, FAPTA, Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine bestows this distinguished award to SLU DPT student Caroline Lipic. Dr. Field-Fote is also President of the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

The Marquette Challenge unites PT & PTA students from across the country in a singular effort to raise money for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research and their awardees. “There is a friendly competition between schools to see who can fundraise the most,” said McKayla Figueroa, SPT, a student coordinator for Marquette University. “But the most important thing is just to participate at any level. We’re all connected by a shared passion for helping people through physical therapy.”

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research is a national, independent nonprofit organization conferring grants, scholarships, and fellowships to leading researchers in the field. For over 40 years the Foundation has relied on the donations of individuals and institutions to fund scientifically based and clinically relevant research initiatives. Their mission is to shape the future of healthcare through physical therapy research. Incorporated as a charitable organization in 1979, the Foundation has awarded more than $17 million in grants, fellowships, and scholarships to nearly 600 researchers. Learn more about the Foundation's investments in the physical therapy profession at www.foundation4pt.org.

Story by Kristin Hrasky

SLU PT Students Make Connections at the MPTA Spring Conference

MSSIG 2019 Missouri Spring Conference Activities

Missouri Physical Therapy Association's Student Special Interest Group (MSSIG) recently held its 2019 Missouri Spring Conference in St. Louis on Saturday, April 13th. Physical therapy students and physical therapy assistant students traveled from around the state to discuss student activities and advocacy, including topics, such as Direct Access, Student Loans, National Health Services Corps, POPTs and more.

After the conference Saturday evening, MSSIG hosted its National Advocacy Dinner with special guest, State Level Director for the Missouri Physical Therapy Association, Niki Wallen, MOL, BS, PTA, who led an interactive activity surrounding leadership and teamwork. Attendees enjoyed a meal together, made new connections and explored their leadership styles.

The Friday evening before the conference, all participants met for a Statewide Kickball Tournament on SLU’s Vandeventer Field. The unusual trophy was a golden pelvis, handed down from the previous MSSIG Kickball Tournament which took place 5 years ago between Saint Louis University, Washington University in Saint Louis and Maryville University.

“This event was a really fun way to bring PT students together from different Missouri schools. The turnout was great, and while the competition was definitely intense, everybody was having a great time socializing, and it was all for a good cause!” stated Brandon Moseley, (DPT Class of 2021) Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy MSSIG Representative. Not only is the Missouri Spring Conference a chance to network and promote dialogue, but the tournament itself also helps raise money for student scholarships which defray the cost of attending APTA and MPTA conferences throughout the year.

Congratulations to MSSIG for accomplishing so much during the 2019 Missouri Spring Conference. We extend our gratitude for all the support and leadership that brought these events to fruition. Specifically, we would like to thank:

Jamie Brew (DPT Class of 2020): Vice Chair of Missouri Student Special Interest Group (MSSIG)

Kelsey Bequette (DPT Class of 2021): MSSIG Representative

Jessica Garland (DPT Class of 2021): MSSIG Representative

Sarah Melulis (DPT Class of 2021): MSSIG Representative

Brandon Moseley (DPT Class of 2021): MSSIG Representative

Caroline Lipic (DPT Class of 2021): Missouri Core Ambassador for American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Carrie Hall, PT, MHS

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Carrie Hall, PT, MHS

President, Movement Systems Physical Therapy, P.S.

Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
Current Town/City: Mercer Island, WA

SLU PT Class of 1983

Interests, Activities, Clubs, and Professional Organizations

American Physical Therapy Association, Physical Therapy Association of Washington, Arthritis Foundation, Puget Sound Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy,  American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy, Health Policy and Administration Section, Private Practice Section, National Charity League

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

My specialty is in examination and treatment of movement impairment syndromes in musculoskeletal patients, so I am thinking I would teach Examination/Evaluation of Orthopedic Conditions and Therapeutic Exercise. 

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

The Jesuit philosophy, and my specific teachers in the Program of Physical Therapy taught me how important it is to be of service to my community and that health care is a right for all human beings.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

I have two: founding and growing a private practice in physical therapy [Movement Systems Physical Therapy was founded in 1995], and writing a textbook "Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function" [Brody LT, Hall CM,  4e. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2018].

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

You are a provider of primary care for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. It is your job to get that message out to the population.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Everyone should have a physical therapist just as they have a dentist and a primary care MD. To manage population health, physical therapists must become recognized as movement specialists and the first entry into the health care system when the condition pertains to movement-related problems that affect their ability to participate in activities and social roles at meaningful levels. You are the only provider that combines the science of movement with the art of healing through movement-related interventions.  Let’s let everyone know!

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/.

SLU PT Student Expands His Professional Horizons at First CSM

DPT class of 2020 posing for a picture at Lost & Found DC

CSM: A Student Experience
by Richard Guillen, DPT Class of 2020

For the past few years, I have heard a lot about APTA Combined Sections Meetings (CSM) and how I would be able to go when I was PY2. I have helped some of the faculty in the past with tasks pertaining to CSM, so I got a little a taste of what CSM was before I even got to go. I was so excited when I found out that CSM was going to hosted in Washington DC this year because I have never been to DC. In fact, the farthest I’ve ever gone east in the US is probably to Chicago. I took advantage of my APTA membership and registered in the same week registration opened. Once I registered, I immediately started counting down the days until I landed in DC. Registering for CSM was probably the easiest part of my CSM experience. I was put in charge of social media for my program, manning the registration table of our alumni reception, and coordinating a gathering for the students and faculty. 

I and a group of my classmates managed to get the same flight and 2.5 hours later, we were in DC. We had arrived early and luckily one of my friends is from Maryland, so we were able to stay with her for the night. The day of CSM we woke up around 5 am and got a ride to the metro station by my friend’s mom. Being on the metro allowed me to experience how it is to be a regular commuter in DC. I saw people wearing suits, other people wearing sweats, some people were on their phones talking business, and some were just sleeping. I saw people from a variety of socioeconomic statuses, professions, and race. I really did feel like I was a part of their community. 

Once we arrived at our stop, we still had to do some walking to get to the convention center. When I entered the convention center, all I could see was the sea of people that were there. Thousands of physical therapist, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students in one location with the goal of learning something new. My goal was to make the most of this opportunity and attend sessions from different fields of physical therapy. I was able to attend sessions about resistance training for runners, how to make treating geriatrics “sexy”, using positive psychology, and LGBTQ+ barriers in physical therapy. I learned information that I would not have learned in the classroom and I am incredibly humbled that I was able to attend this conference. I talked to representatives from different clinics, hospitals, and vendors just to get my foot in the door. 

When CSM was officially over I got the chance to explore the city a little bit and saw some historical monuments. Overall, I can safely say this experience at CSM was probably one of my favorite experiences in my five years at Saint Louis University. I will definitely be looking forward to attending CSM in the future.

This is one of several posts featuring SLU PT Student experiences. Because of its unique format, the SLU PT program provides students the ability to travel to CSM the spring semester of their PY2 year and not miss classes. For more information about Saint Louis University's Program in Physical Therapy, please visit: https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/undergraduate/physical-therapy.php.

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Derek Fenwick, PT, MBA, GCS, SHRM-SCP

SLU PT Alumni Spotlight - Derek Fenwick, PT, MBA, GCS, SHRM-SCP

Director of Professional Development, Infinity Rehab

Hometown: Cape Girardeau, MO
Current Town/City: Portland, OR

SLU MPT Class of 2003

Interests, Activities, Clubs, and Professional Organizations

American Physical Therapy Association: APTA Nominating Committee, Leadership Development Committee, Post-Acute Care Work Group

Oregon Physical Therapy Association: OPTA Nominating Committee, past President, Vice President, Oregon Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates

See more at https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfenwickpt/

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

Strategic Human Resources (HR) for Health Care Professionals

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

If you see work that needs to be done and no one to do it, you're probably the right person for the job. I'm not even talking about big things; it is the day-to-day opportunities that you see to do the right thing and hold the space where others won't that can have the most lasting and positive change in the world. Don't worry that you won't do it right - making the effort to do it at all is good enough.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

Helping to create my own dream job. I am blessed to work for an organization that takes risks and innovates to tackle big business challenges. When the need to do more to support and engage our high-performing employees became clear within our company, I worked with our Vice President of Human Resources to craft a draft job description for a Director of Professional Development role focused on turning high-potential employees into influential leaders. Together we made the business case and got it funded. Now many years later, I have had the privilege of helping to build several key programs to address the clinical, management, and leadership needs of our company, and in the process have found an exciting career path in human resources that I would have never imagined possible during my time in PT school. 

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

There will always be a job for a PT willing to take on a leader role in health care. Health care needs more leaders with clinical backgrounds. If the opportunity for management or other leadership presents itself early in your career and you've got a curiosity about it, take a chance and do it. You will be forever changed for the positive - and so will the patients you serve.

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/.

SLU PT Students Recognized by the Foundation for Physical Therapy

During the APTA-NEXT Conference on June 28, 2018, The Foundation for Physical Therapy awarded the Most Creative Fundraiser Award in the 2017-2018 Mercer–Marquette Challenge to Saint Louis University's Program in Physical Therapy for our PT Spirit Week themed fundraiser. SLU PT raised a total of $1,070 in this year’s Challenge.

This year marks 30 years of the Marquette Challenge - a student led fundraising effort for the Foundation for Physical Therapy.

As of 2018, the challenge has raised more than $4 million to fund physical therapy research.

This year, SLU DPT Student Caroline Lipic traveled to Orlando to accept the award on behalf of our students. Caroline acts as the Vice President of Philanthropy for our SLU Physical Therapy Student Association. This year the students created a competitive PT Spirit Week with all profits from the special events and a portion of our profit from apparel was donated to The Foundation for Physical Therapy, an organization that funds PT research.

PT Spirit Week Flier

About the Foundation for Physical Therapy

The Foundation for Physical Therapy was established in 1979 as a national, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and delivery of physical therapy care by providing support for scientifically based and clinically relevant physical therapy research and doctoral scholarships and fellowships.

SLU PT Faculty Member Dr. Ethel Frese Honored with FAPTA Recognition

Ethel Frese, PT, DPT, MHS, CCS, FAPTA was recognized as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA) during the June 22nd Honors and Awards Ceremony at the NEXT Conference and Exposition in Boston.  This is the American Physical Therapy's Association's highest honor.  

In part, the honor recognizes those who have demonstrated unwavering efforts to advance the physical therapy profession.  For those of us who have the distinct pleasure of working with and learning from Ethel, this most meritorious distinction is the fitting tribute to her numerous contributions.  

Congratulations Ethel on this most deserving recognition; we are full of pride.  Thank you for all you have done for our program, department, college, university, and profession.

Ethel Frese, PT, DPT, MHS, CCS, FAPTA

You can learn more about the Catherine Worthingham Fellows of APTA here. According to the APTA, all recipients receive a certificate, lapel pin, and honor cord during the award ceremony during each NEXT Conference and Exposition.

Photos by Tricia Austin, PT, PhD, ATC
Chair, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training

SLU PT Faculty Joins the NEXT Annual Physical Therapy Conference & Exposition in Nashville

The APTA's NEXT Conference and Exposition, held this year in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, offered participants a look at some of the forward thinking research taking place in physical therapy. The event has trend-setting programming with more than sixty educational sessions from seasoned physical therapy professionals. You can access their videos and presentations here. Saint Louis University's own Mary Jo Davenport, Ph.D. PT attended and presented at the conference. Below, she shares a few words on her experience as well as her presentation.

Attending the NEXT Annual Physical Therapy Conference & Exposition in Nashville was a great opportunity to reconnect with old and make many new friends in my area of interest.  I had the pleasure of attending some great presentations during the conference.  Some of these presenters shared cutting-edge research on practice as a movement system expert, collaborative practice opportunities and interventions for children with developmental and movement challenges.  Overall, it was a great experience.  I look forward to meeting up with students and colleagues next year in Boston!

See her poster below!

Learn more about the conference here.