Lynn Snyder-Mackler, PT, ATC, ScD, FAPTA, was the featured speaker at the 2017 Irma Ruebling Distinguished Speaker Series hosted by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy. Dr. Snyder-Mackler gave her presentation, That’s Eureka Redux: Training Rehabilitation Clinician-Scientists, on Thursday, March 23 from 5:30 – 7 PM in the Allied Health Building Room 1043 on Saint Louis University’s South Campus.
 |
| Dr. Gretchen Salsich, Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler, and Dr. Tricia Austin |
Dr. Snyder-Mackler is an internationally recognized clinician and clinical researcher in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. She is a board-certified physical therapist who maintains an active sports physical therapy practice and the University of Delaware and serves as a rehabilitation consultant to collegiate, amateur and professional teams. Dr. Snyder-Mackler served as Head Athletic Trainer for the beach volleyball venue at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga. She concentrates her clinical practice and research in the areas of knee and shoulder rehabilitation and electrical stimulation of muscle; she has authored over 200 research publications and regularly speaks to national and international audiences about these topics. Dr. Snyder-Mackler’s research has earned her several major awards. Perhaps most notably, Dr. Snyder-Mackler was named the American Physical Therapy Association Mary McMillan Lecturer for 2015 – the association’s highest honor.
 |
| Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler with Irma Ruebling, former SLU PT chairperson |
The Irma Ruebling Distinguished Speaker Series is named in honor of Irma Ruebling – former chairperson of the Program in Physical Therapy. Ruebling had a vision to bring nationally renowned speakers to Saint Louis University to present current physical therapy scholarship and how it relates to clinical practice. In addition to meeting with faculty and clinicians in the community, each year’s distinguished speaker leads a question-and-answer session with the Doctor of Physical Therapy students.
 |
| Dr. Ginge Kettenbach and Dr. Dave Gutekunst |
Saint Louis University Assistant Professor in Physical Therapy Dave Gutekunst, MS, PhD, was very excited to have Dr. Snyder-Mackler as the featured speaker at the Irma Ruebling Distinguished Speaker Series.
“Dr. Snyder-Mackler is a leader in physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences – in every sense of the word,” Dr. Gutekunst said. “She is a highly respected clinician, a highly successful research scientist and a very thoughtful, engaging speaker who advocates for patients and clinicians alike.”
Dr. Gutekunst went on to explain that students from any discipline stood to gain insight from attending the lecture.
“Whether a student is a budding scientist interested in learning about cutting-edge research, a future clinician curious about how a clinician-scientist successfully balances practice with research or merely an engaged citizen who wants to know how scientific evidence informs medical care, there will be something for everyone,” Dr. Gutekunst said. “The Ruebling Distinguished Speaker event is something that all members of the SLU community can be proud to host.”
During the evening, we also recognized new Irma Ruebling Endowed Research Fund awardees: Dr. Ann Hayes, Dr. Gretchen Salsich, and Dr. Chris Sebelski.
 |
| Dr. Gretchen Salsich and Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler |
Program in Physical Therapy students in their first and second professional years attended the lecture. Additionally, alumni and clinicians from the St. Louis Metro area attended for the CEU credits.
 |
| Dr. Tony Breitbach, Dr. Mike Markee, and Dr. Jason Bennett |
 |
| Dr. Kim Levenhagen and Dr. Gretchen Salsich |
Special thanks to our Research Committee, Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training:
Kitty Newsham, PhD, ATC, Chair
Dave Gutekunst, PhD
Gretchen Salsich, PT, PhD
Chris Sebelski, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CSCS
Photos by Erica Mullikin
