May 15, 2000
Belmont Physical Therapy Program Accredited
Belmont University’s School of Physical Therapy is pleased to announce that the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has granted full accreditation status to the program.
The news of accreditation follows closely on the heels of the approval by Belmont University to transition the three-year entry-level professional Master of Physical Therapy Program to a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program.
Dr. David G. Greathouse, Chair of Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy and Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences stated, "The faculty, students, staff and I are delighted with the significant accomplishments made this past year in the development of our program. Upon inception, Belmont University expressed commitment to the development of a Physical Therapy program that meets all accreditation standards. The news this week of full accreditation status for the next five years, the approval to transition to offering the Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree, and providing a building to house the program are clear evidence of the fulfillment of that commitment."
The five-year accreditation status is the maximum length of time that a newly accredited physical therapy program is allowed.
This past summer the Belmont University School of Physical Therapy moved into the new facility located at the corner of 15th Ave. and Delmar Street on the Belmont campus. The facility houses two classrooms, four laboratories (motion analysis, neuromuscular, cardio-pulmonary and orthopaedics), four seminar rooms, a library, a computer lab, a lounge, and office space for the faculty and administrative staff.
The new building includes the Motion Analysis Laboratory and a Faculty Practice Clinic. The Motion Analysis laboratory at Belmont is one of the best-equipped Gait and Balance labs in the southeast United States. This lab is used for the evaluation of patients with gait and balance disorders as well as for research. The lab is equipped with a Vicon motion analysis system that integrates the data from six infra-red cameras, a Noraxon 16 channel telemetry EMG system, and an AMTI force plate. In addition to patient evaluations, the equipment allows the faculty to perform complex swing analysis, for golf or baseball, and other high-speed motions such as pitching.
Additionally, the lab has one of the best-equipped balance and vestibular diagnostic and treatment laboratories in the United States coupled with staff whose clinical expertise is in this area. Equipment available for testing include the NeuroCom Smart Equitest with 8 channel integrated EMG capability for measuring motor reflex responses, the NeuroCom Balance Master, and the Micromedical Real Eyes computerized vestibular testing apparatus which utilizes an occular infrared camera to measure vestibular responses. In addition, many different types of visual testing can be performed. The faculty is able to provide balance assessment and treatment planning for patients who are referred to the lab. Not only is this equipment used for patient evaluation, but also allows the faculty to develop new methods to provide balance and fall risk reduction programs.
A "State of the Art" outpatient physical therapy clinic is planned. The addition of a highly specialized site for clinical practice will provide the students an early opportunity to incorporate their academic skills into clinical practice under the direct supervision of instructors. Having an on-site physical therapy clinic, with all of the latest rehabilitation technology, will give the students excellent exposure to all of the possibilities available to enhance patients' maximal function. The faculty will have the opportunity to remain on the "cutting edge" of technology through the research and development of this new technology. In addition to this, the faculty will have an on-site place to practice and maintain their high level of experience and skill while at the same time provide opportunity to share their clinical experience with students. The real winner will be the community who will benefit from having ready access to this high level of physical therapy services at a modest cost.
Belmont University, like fellow members of the Associated New American Colleges, is a teaching university offering a comprehensive, liberal arts education with real world, professional application. Affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Belmont offers six undergraduate degrees in 56 major areas of study and nine master’s degrees.
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Greg Pillon: 615.460.6645
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37212
615.460.6000
About Belmont University
Named one of the top two “Schools to Watch” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University is a fast-growing community of more than 5,400 students who come from every state and 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 20 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
For more information visit www.belmont.edu
