Congratulations to Andrea Buschkoetter (Class of 2023) as the awardee of the Florian and Walburga Horvath Memorial Health Professions Scholarship

Congratulations to Andrea Buschkoetter (Class of 2023) as the awardee of the Florian and Walburga Horvath Memorial Health Professions Scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded to one student within Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University.  The student must be in good academic and professional standing within their program, in the terminal year of their advanced degree, and have demonstrated leadership, service and strong work ethic.   

 

Frances L. Horvath, M.D., then Dean of the former School of Allied Health Professions and her siblings Fay Anderson, Paul Horvath, and Carolyn Clemons established the endowment for this scholarship fund in 1985 in memory of their parents, Florian (Al) and Walburga (Wally) Horvath.   This scholarship honors the memory of Florian and Walburga Horvath, their sacrifices, their love, their generosity of spirit, their faith, and the values they instilled in their children.  In helping others achieve their educational goal, the Horvath Memorial Scholarship Fund perpetuates their legacy.   

SLU Giving Day 2022

SLU Physical Therapy invites you to join us for the Annual Giving Day 2022!

The SLU community changes live all over the globe. This year's theme is "Paint the World SLU Blue".

The fifth annual SLU Giving Day is on April 28. This annual 24-hour day of giving — is our biggest fundraising event of the year! — brings the SLU community together in support of important projects across the University.

Some of the scholarships we have available in our Program are:

• Cheryl L. Cavallo Endowed Memorial Fund
• Dr. Peter Mosher Endowed Memorial Scholarship
• Carolyn Gioia Memorial Scholarship
• Sister Imelda Pingel Scholarship
• Theresa Bernsen Endowed Memorial Award
• Eric Estill, DPT, Memorial Endowed Scholarship
• For and With Others Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) Scholarship

To support our scholarships, please visit SLU's Giving Page: http://giving.slu.edu/doisy

You can learn all about scholarships for students in the Doisy College of Health Sciences on our website here: https://www.slu.edu/doisy/about/scholarships-for-current-students.php

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

For and With Others Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) Scholarship

The SLU Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) recently introduced the For and With Others PTSA Scholarship. This scholarship is to benefit a student in financial need from a historically underrepresented community or first-generation college student in the Program in Physical Therapy entering their second or third professional year. 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.

The alumna who helped make the For and With Others PTSA Scholarship possible was SLU PT Class of 1988 alumna Barbara Jacobsmeyer. Jacobsmeyer serves as the Executive Vice President and the President of Inpatient Hospitals at Encompass Health Corporation.

Our current students from PTSA and Ms. Jacobsmeyer explain in more detail what the scholarship means to them in this recent article published by Saint Louis University.

Students can apply for the scholarship here: https://slu.academicworks.com/opportunities/17380

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

Cheryl L. Cavallo Endowed Memorial Fund

The Cheryl L. Cavallo Endowed Memorial Fund is for upcoming professional year III students in the Physical Therapy program. Applicants must have a 2.7 GPA or higher and a desire to participate in healthcare-related domestic or international mission trips.

Dr. Cheryl Cavallo received her bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees from Saint Louis University and was a member of the faculty for 32 years, retiring in 2011. During her tenure, she received multiple awards for teaching and service. Cheryl participated in mission trips to Haiti and El Salvador and was extremely passionate about student involvement in service trips. Cheryl truly saw her profession as a gift because she could serve other people. 

The Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship was established to reflect Cheryl's passion and lifetime commitment to the education of her students and their preparation in the Jesuit tradition to become men and women for others. She served as the faculty mentor for the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council (now the Physical Therapy Student Association) for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated the Hustle for Your Health 5K event for 11 years. She lived the Jesuit mission every day by giving back to those less fortunate. 

The purpose of this award is to assist physical therapy students in their upcoming PY III year who have the same desire to participate in healthcare-related domestic or international mission trips. International trips must have a focus on healthcare. Belize clinical placement will count towards your eligibility.  Please note that the number and dollar amount of scholarships given will vary.  If you have questions about this scholarship, 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/17667

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

Carolyn Gioia Memorial Scholarship

Carolyn Gioia was a 1949 graduate of Saint Louis University's Program in Physical Therapy. Carolyn was always mindful of and generous to the poor, the needy, and the underserved of society.  She worked as a dedicated physical therapist for 45 years and actively participated in various international and national physical therapy organizations. Carolyn was a life-long supporter of Saint Louis University - Go Billikens! She was a member of the Saint Louis University 1818 & DuBourg Society, two giving societies recognizing those that give generously to the University. Carolyn established the Carolyn Gioia Memorial Scholarship to support physical therapy students.  The first scholarships were granted in 2019.

The scholarship is available to professional phase Physical Therapy students.  Students must have a 2.7 GPA or higher and demonstrate financial need.  Preference will be made first to students with a physical disability, then to students going into their PYII or PYIII year of the program.  Please note that the number and dollar amount of scholarships given will vary.  For questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Jill Fitzgerald at  jill.fitzgerald@health.slu.edu or 314-977-8756.

Students can apply for the scholarship here: https://slu.academicworks.com/opportunities/17663

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

Sister Mary Imelda Pingel Scholarship

Sister Mary Imelda Pingel (1911-2006), a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, became the director of the physical therapy department in 1943 after pursuing clinical work at Firmin Desloge Hospital (now Saint Louis University Hospital), where she treated polio patients and opened a cerebral palsy and rehabilitation center. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in 1942 and a master’s degree in education in 1969, both from Saint Louis University.

In honor of Sister Imelda Pingel, the Chairperson of the Department of Physical Therapy from 1943-1977, a scholarship fund was created in 1983 through generous contributions by alumni and friends.  The Pingel Scholarships are awarded to selected Doctor of Physical Therapy students to assist in their PY II or PY III year. The decisions for the awards will be based on financial needs and academic records.  Your annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one tool used to determine need.  This information must be on file with the SLU Financial Aid office to be considered for an award.  Please note that the number and dollar amount of scholarships given will vary. 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/17661

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

Dr. Peter D. Mosher Endowed Memorial Scholarship

The Dr. Peter D. Mosher Endowed Memorial Scholarship is inspired by the example and life of Dr. Peter D. Mosher (1981-2013) who received his DPT from SLU in 2006. Dr. Mosher excelled in all facets of his education and was greatly respected and admired by fellow students and colleagues. He devoted his life to the service of others, including as an energetic educator and compassionate physical therapist. Because Pete’s passion for social justice was the motivating force throughout every facet of his life, it was his great desire for his students to practice their profession among those who are underserved. This award was established to defray costs for physical therapy students who choose a clinical experience that fulfills this goal.

This scholarship carries forward his enduring passion for the clinical component of physical therapist education and his vision that physical therapy students should seek clinical experiences that explore and extend their horizons, challenge themselves, and serve the under-served. This scholarship is for students in the Program in Physical Therapy entering PY III year for next academic year and placed in a clinical setting over the upcoming summer or during PYIII spring that would be considered as serving the underserved.  Preference is given to students serving outside of the St. Louis area.  Eligible students must have a minimum of 2.7 GPA. Please note that the number and dollar amount of scholarships given will vary.  If you have questions about this scholarship, 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/17665

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

Theresa Bernsen Endowed Memorial Award

Professor Theresa Bernsen (1965-2010) was a passionate advocate for physical therapy students. This award is a testament to Theresa’s commitment to excellence in education and practice.  Since 2018, this award has been designated for students in the post-baccalaureate portion of the Program in Physical Therapy who are first-generation students.

This scholarship will support a student in physical therapy entering their PY II or PY III year who exemplifies academic integrity and effort as did Theresa Bernsen. Theresa Bernsen was among the first Honors Student Program graduates in Physical Therapy and joined the PT faculty as a lab assistant in 1991. Theresa was the first member of her family to graduate with a college degree. 

Eligible applicants must have a declared major in Physical Therapy and be considered a first-generation college student (your parents did not earn a college degree).  Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate or post-bac GPA of 2.7. Your annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one tool used to determine need. This information must be on file with the SLU Financial Aid office to be considered for an award. Please note the number and dollar amount of scholarships will vary.  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/17669

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

2021 Hustle for Your Health Virtual 5K Winners Announced

Congratulations to the top winners for the 

20th Annual Cheryl Cavallo Hustle for Your Health 5k!

In the women's category, the top three winners were Grace Dorian, Clare O'Carroll, and Kasey Metzner. In the men's category, the top three winners were Michael Augustine, Matthew Boebel, and Alexander Telfer (pictured below).

Students Anna Schmidt, Alex Telfer, Lindsey Martin, Colleen Kadowaki, & Kurt Rolfes

The Cheryl Cavallo Hustle for your Health is an annual event held during Saint Louis University's Homecoming and Family Weekend. For 2021 it was virtual to ensure those in the SLU family who wanted to participate could, despite travel restrictions or other barriers.

PY3 Students Caroline Sauer and Emily Chisolm

Participants ran at a time and place convenient for them, submitting their results by Saturday, September 25, 2021. Thank you to the Physical Therapy Student Association for their organization of the event but the event would not have been successful without all who signed up. Check out the photos of students and other SLU community members participating virtually. Hope to see you in 2022.

SLU staff member Kristin Hrasky

The Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K helps support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Cheryl Cavallo, a long time faculty member in the Program in Physical Therapy who lost her courageous battle to cancer in 2013. She served as the faculty mentor for the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council (now the Physical Therapy Student Association) for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated this event for 11 years. She lived the Jesuit mission every day by giving back to those less fortunate. 

Cheryl Cavallo, PT, PhD

All proceeds from the memorial fundraiser benefit the Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to help defray travel costs for students wishing to pursue healthcare-related domestic or international mission trips. For more information, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event in the future, contact ptsa@slu.edu.

If you missed your opportunity to participate in this year's event, you may still give to the scholarship on the Saint Louis University Giving page.

To learn more about how our students have previously used this scholarship to fund their travel for mission trips, you can read it in their own words:

SLU Program in Physical Therapy Student Laura Seadler Uses Scholarship to Travel to Clinical Site in Belize

SLU Program in Physical Therapy Student Stella Jeong Uses Scholarship for a Public Health Immersion Trip with Campus Ministry

SLU PT Student Gains New Perspective During Service Oriented Clinical Internship

SLU PT Student Uses Scholarship to Build Clinical Skills While in Perú

SLU PT Student Focuses on Service - Not Finances - With Help From Scholarship

SLU PT Student Albert Marban Named as Honoree of Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship

SLU PT Student Uses Scholarship to Pay it Forward

SLU PT Student Focuses on Patient-Centered Care in Jamaica

SLU PT Student Grows Clinical Skills and Cultural Understanding in Belize

Story by Kristin Hrasky

SLU Program in Physical Therapy Student Stella Jeong Uses Scholarship for a Public Health Immersion Trip with Campus Ministry

Welcome sign to West Virginia.

Immersion Experience Spotlight - Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Funds DPT Student Trip to West Virginia
by Stella Jeong (DPT Class of 2021)

With the generous gift from Cheryl L. Cavallo memorial fund, I was able to go on an immersion trip to West Virginia through SLU’s Campus Ministry. This trip has taught me and transformed me in a way that I would’ve never imagined— and I am more than happy to share my experience in this blog.

Side of the road from Kermit.

The immersion trip was constructed around the theme of “Public Health,” which was the main reason why I chose this program out of many other options. As a future health care provider and an individual who never personally experienced rural poverty, I felt called to visit WV. And here is how the trip unfolded:

Photo with staff from Mine Wars Museum.

We first arrived in a small town called Kermit and met a woman named Marlene, who greeted us with the warmest smile. She was the executive director of ABLE families, a non-profit organization that runs the afterschool program, in-home family education program, and summer camps for families who are at risk. Marlene showed us around Mingo county, and I was able to connect with people who have been laid off from coal mining companies with no health care benefit, people who suffer from opioids overdose crisis, and young mothers who were raising children with no proper resources. Hearing their stories was heartbreaking, and honestly hard to believe. I really didn’t think the situation would be this serious and alarming because it’s the United States. I thought I knew what poverty looked like, coming from a family who also struggled a lot from a developing country. This trip broke my prejudice and made me realize that I had many privileges that people from WV might not have. And these “privileges” include a grocery store with fresh produce, a hospital or health clinic that are at least within an hour away, clean water without toxic substances from factories, and environment where children can grow up without having to worry about drug addiction so close to their home. I would want to label them as “basic human needs or rights” instead of “privileges”, but unfortunately, in WV, it simply wasn’t the case.

Train transporting coal.

When we visited the Mine Wars Museum, the staff who gave us the tour said, “We would love to see [health care] students like you guys come back to West Virginia. We could really use your help.” What he said that day, made me think a lot about my future path as a Physical Therapist. What can I bring to communities that are underserved when I’m a PT? How can I raise more awareness? How can I make a change when I’m back in St. Louis? So many unanswered questions, but they are driving me to become the PT that I want to be in the future.

Micro-Farming from PATCH 21 to grow fresh produce for the communities

I was overwhelmed and confused when we left West Virginia after a week, but the immersion trip has left me with many meaningful lessons and community leaders that I can look up to. I’ve donated part of my scholarship to Marlene’s ABLE families organization as I was so inspired by the work that they do.

Progression of “Mountain Top Removal” for coal mining companies.

I encourage everyone to participate in Hustle 4 Your Health event to support the cause and for the future experiences of other PT students who may receive this amazing scholarship.

Thanks for reading my story and feel free to ask more about my trip if you want to!

Stella Jeong
DPT Class of 2021

SLU PT Student Albert Marban Named as Honoree of Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Spotlight - Cheryl L Cavallo Memorial Scholarship

by Albert Marban (DPT Class of 2018)

My parents had dreams for a better life, which is why they migrated to the United States from Guerrero, Mexico. Their sacrifice to come to a country of vast opportunity has opened a door of knowledge for me in the realm of Physical Therapy. I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained from my SLU PT peers and professors with the people of Belize at the Hillside Health Care International in Punta Gorda. It's always been a goal of mine to share the knowledge I have gained from great people with individuals who come from a similar background as my parents. This scholarship has given me the opportunity to achieve this goal and learn from the people of Belize as well. A sincere thank you to the Cheryl Cavallo scholarship committee. I look forward to representing Cheryl Cavallo; who accomplished so much for her community, SLU and more importantly patients and individuals.

Cavallo Scholarship Honorees Tessa Fate and Albert Marban 

There are two ways to help support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund. You may participate in the 16th Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K (register here) or donate directly to the fund. The Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K is in memory of Cheryl Cavallo, a long time faculty member in the Program in Physical Therapy who lost her courageous battle to cancer in 2013. She served as the faculty mentor for the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated this event for 11 years. She lived the Jesuit mission everyday by giving back to those less fortunate. All proceeds from the memorial fundraiser will benefit the Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to help defray travel costs for students wishing to pursue health care related domestic or international mission trips. For more information, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event, contact Michelle Cohen at mcohen17@slu.edu.

Cheryl L. Cavallo, PT, Ph.D.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have utilized the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to finance their service trips. Service is an integral part of the Saint Louis University experience. SLU is currently #4 on Washington Monthly’s list of universities who participate most in community service. To learn more about service at SLU, visit the Center for Service and Community Engagement website at www.slu.edu/service.

SLU PT Student Uses Scholarship to Build Clinical Skills While in Perú

Service Trip Spotlight - Physical Therapy in Perú

by Clarine Stephens (DPT Class of 2019)

The Cheryl Cavallo Scholarship gave me the opportunity to experience physical therapy in a culture completely different from my own. Through the Scholarship, I stayed in Piura, Perú for 3 weeks treating patients in a clinic with a Peruvian physical therapist while learning so much about how culture and society there impact quality of care and access to treatment. I also had the opportunity to treat patients in a hospice, interpret pediatric appointments between an American physician and her patients, and teach massage techniques to cosmetology students at a trade school.

My clinical application skills and my ability to communicate effectively in Spanish improved immensely, both of which will be very useful for me in my professional career. I couldn’t be more grateful for the SLU Program in Physical Therapy and the Cavallo Scholarship for providing me the opportunity to experience all that I did in Perú!

There are two ways to help support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund. You may participate in the 16th Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K (register here) or donate directly to the fund. The Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K is in memory of Cheryl Cavallo, a long time faculty member in the Program in Physical Therapy who lost her courageous battle to cancer in 2013.  She served as the faculty mentor for the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated this event for 11 years.  She lived the Jesuit mission everyday by giving back to those less fortunate.  All proceeds from the memorial fundraiser will benefit the Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to help defray travel costs for students wishing to pursue health care related domestic or international mission trips. For more information, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event, contact Michelle Cohen at mcohen17@slu.edu.

Cheryl L. Cavallo, PT, Ph.D.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have utilized the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to finance their service trips. Service is an integral part of the Saint Louis University experience. SLU  is currently #4 on Washington Monthly’s list of universities who participate most in community service. To learn more about service at SLU, visit the Center for Service and Community Engagement website at www.slu.edu/service.