Physical Therapy Student Trains with Boston Ballet

Bagley dancing in a ballet studio

Rebecca Bagley, a 3rd year physical therapy student at Belmont, spent the summer in Boston as she completed her 4th and final clinical experience with the Boston Ballet. In her position, Bagley worked alongside her clinical instructor evaluating and treating company dancers and mastering a variety of techniques including manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic exercise, taping and more. While she was there, the Ballet opened three shows in three weeks, providing considerable experience throughout her 6-days-a-week schedule.

Becca BagleyAs an undergraduate dance major and long-time dancer herself, the decision to head to Boston for her final clinical experience was an easy one for Bagley. “It has been a dream of mine since starting PT school to get the chance to combine my passions for physical therapy and dance,” she said. “I grew up training in many different styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap and ballroom. It is a population that I understand from personal experience, and I am very passionate about. I was so thankful for the opportunity to work with professional dancers and learn from amazing physical therapists in this specialized field.” Continue reading

Nursing Students Participate in Vanderbilt Internship Program, Earn Top Awards

Student VESNIP participants

A group of 16 Belmont nursing students have spent the past seven weeks participating in the Vanderbilt Experience: Student Nurse Internship Program (VESNIP) alongside students from four other regional nursing programs. Two Belmont students were awarded the highest honors at the culminating awards ceremony held today, Wednesday June 27.

Student award winners pose with Dr. Folds and a Vanderbilt representative

L to R: Dr. Leslie Folds, Maddie Blakeney,
Chloe Sliman & Dr. Sandy Murabito

The Credo Award, recognizing Vanderbilt’s credo behaviors, is given to students that aspire to excellence and expert performance by making those they serve their highest priority, conducting themselves professionally, respecting others’ confidentiality, communicating effectively, having a sense of ownership and demonstrating a commitment to colleagues. Chloe Sliman, a Belmont-Trevecca Nazarene University partnership student received the Credo Award in Acute Care Track. The Florence Nightingale Award, given to Belmont’s Maddie Blakeney, is the program’s highest honor and is given in recognition of excellence in all areas. This award is based on feedback from nurse preceptors, nurse educators and the entire health care team at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. Continue reading

School of Occupational Therapy Develops, Hosts Transitions Summer Academy

Students participating in the Summer Transitions Academy

For many young adults with intellectual disabilities, the transition from high school can bring significant obstacles. Because programs at colleges and universities have been created to focus on life skill development, career exploration and participation in campus life, interdisciplinary efforts among all students, including those with intellectual disabilities, have grown.

Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy developed and hosted the Transitions Summer Academy May 14-18, focused on providing introductory life skills training and college exposure to young adults with intellectual disabilities that are transitioning out of high school and applying to collegiate programs. Continue reading