SLU PT Student Organizes Feminine Hygiene Product Drive to Benefit Homeless St. Louisans

A Wholehearted “Thank You” 
By Christina Vivit, DPT Class of 2019

To all who came to me with your empowering words, thoughts, donations, and support, THANK YOU for your incredible contribution and support to my feminine hygiene product drive for those experiencing homelessness in our city.

With your contribution, we collected over…
50 boxes of sanitary pads
23 boxes of tampons
14 packs of cleaning cloths and baby wipes
7 packs of resealable zipper bags
5 large packs of new ladies underwear
2 bottles of bath soap

The donations were brought to St. Patrick Center, a local nonprofit organization that works collaboratively within the community to transform homeless services and end chronic homelessness in the St. Louis area. St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They offer resources such as an emergency shelter, safe and affordable housing assistance, employment programs, mental and physical health programs, and support services for veterans.

I would also like to thank Dr. Brooke Kalisiak, PT, DPT, WCS and Legacy Physical Therapy as a partner donor site. Legacy Physical Therapy is a privately owned physical therapy and wellness clinic that offers outpatient services in orthopedics, pelvic floor disorders, and women’s health conditions.
Although menstrual hygiene may be a stigmatized topic, your wholehearted response to the drive reveals a sense of empowerment and care for our St. Louis community. I cannot thank you all enough for your kind words, thoughts, and contribution to the feminine hygiene product drive.


To find out more about St. Patrick Center, you can locate information on their website: www.stpatrickcenter.org
To find out more about Legacy Physical Therapy, you can locate information on their website:
www.legacytherapystl.com 

College is Child's Play for these DPT Students During our Annual Baby Lab

Pediatric Seminar - Baby Lab
Primary Instructor: Mary Jo Davenport, PhD, PT
During baby lab, future doctors of physical therapy learned about typical infant and toddler development while observing children during normal play.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to examine many different questions about how infants and young children of various ages develop, learn, and master gross and fine motor skills.

As each child engaged in various play and movement activities the students analyzed, compared, and discussed how children move at various ages.  This was a also great opportunity for students to compare social, and language skills among infants and toddlers of various ages. 

This lab was made possible with the help of faculty and staff who generously volunteered their adorable children for participation.

SLU PT Students Provide Disabilty Awareness Education in Belize

Update from Belize - Hillside Health Care International

This January, PYIII students Danielle Keeney and Albert Marban are spending 4 weeks of their internship at Hillside Health Care International (HHCI). Dr. Carol Beckel, Director of Clinical Education, is serving as their clinical instructor for the first two weeks. 

They are working with another PT student from Radford University to provide Disability Awareness Programs (DAP) in schools across the Toledo District, the southern most district of Belize. DAP teaches children about disabilities and how to include individuals with disabilities in activities. 

This week they presented to children aged 5 to 12 in the Dolores and San Marcos Villages. During the lunch recess in San Marcos, Albert and Danielle challenged some boys in a foot race along the village road. 

In addition to the DAP program, Danielle and Albert see patients in the HHCI outpatient clinic and for home health patients. This time of year the weather is beautiful though you can still sweat when working during the day. 

SLU PT Student Organizes Physical Therapy Workshop in Madrid

SLU PT Study Abroad Opportunity - Madrid, Spain
by Nina Valaitis, DPT Class of 2021

I recently organized a physical therapy workshop with one of the SLU-Madrid dance instructors who is a PT. SLU PT students had the opportunity to go to a physical therapy clinic that specializes in treating performing arts patients including professional dancers from The Lion King and other musicals in Madrid.

The workshop focused on lateral ankle sprains, including a biomechanics review, observation of lateral ankle sprain treatment, and manual practicals between students using manual techniques, taping, and mobilizations. It was a great way to see a unique specialization as well as experiencing how the profession is different in Spain!

I am looking forward to coming back to SLU and starting to take more classes related to the PT profession!!

This is one of several posts featuring SLU PT Student study abroad experiences. Because of its unique format, the SLU PT program gives students the ability to study abroad the fall of their junior year. For more information about study abroad experiences at SLU go to: http://www.slu.edu/study-abroad.

Nina Valaitis, Alexis Ardovitch, Kathryn O'Brien, Hannah McGrath, Kelly Schweikert, Katie Fredrickson, Cass Goldner, Marley Coughlin, Morgan Fleming, Ryan Blechle, Katie Maus, Annie Mathy, Jessica Garland, Jimmy Harlan, and Amanda Ng all attended the workshop which was held on two separate dates. 

Photos submitted by Nina Valaitis and Alexis Ardovitch.


This event was not SLU-Madrid affiliated.

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 Grows Clinical Skills and Cultural Understanding in Belize

Service Trip Spotlight - Hillside Health Care International
by Tessa Fate (DPT Class of 2018)

The Cheryl Cavallo scholarship allowed me the opportunity to complete an amazing four week clinical rotation in Belize, treating a diverse and underserved patient population and learning about the public health concerns that this country faces. I grew so much in my cultural understanding of the country as well as in my development as a physical therapist. 

Tessa Fate and Natalie Lynch presenting to other students during their clinical rotation  

I’m so grateful for this unique experience and this scholarship that made it possible in the first place, and I wish the same growth and opportunity for other students.

Cavallo Scholarship Awardees Tessa Fate & Albert Marban

There are two ways to help support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund. You may participate in the Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K each year 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.

OPTIM COMT Course Coming to SLU!

The Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy and the SLU - SSM Health Physical Therapy Residency want you to know about the following course series offered by Optim Manual Therapy. This course series is to take place over six weekends on the beautiful Saint Louis University campus. With successful completion, participants can earn a Certificate in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT).

Course #	Module	Comments	Dates
1	Foundations I	Patient handling and interview concepts, indications/ contraindications, biomechanics, review of systems, organ and joint palpation, intro to common manipulations, intro to imaging, muscle length and strength testing	Nov 18-19, 2017
2	Foundations II	Patient education, persistent pain, exam of joint, common manipulations, functional movement analysis, imaging	Jan 27-28, 2018
3	Lumbar Spine	Lumbar anatomy and prevalence, lumbar exam, palpation, evaluation, manual therapy techniques, exercise, SIJ anatomy, exam, and treatment, peripheral nerve entrapments	March 24-25 2018
4	Lower Quarter	Hip, knee, foot/ankle: foundation, exam/eval, treatment, lower extremity palpation and nerve biasing, intro to hip movement system impairments, LQ exercise	June 2-3, 2018
5	Cervical Spine	Cervical and thoracic foundations, anatomy, biomechanics, differential diagnosis, exam, cervical and thoracic manual therapy and exercise, intro to cervical movement system impairment and repeated motions	July 28-29, 2018
6	Upper Quarter and Thoracic Spine	Shoulder, elbow, hand/wrist: foundation, exam/eval, treatment, upper extremity palpation and nerve biasing, intro to shoulder movement system impairments, UQ exercise	Sept 29 - 30, 2018

Learn more at http://www.optimfellowship.com/