Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy Dr. Teresa Plummer was recently featured in Siloam Health’s 30th Anniversary video. Plummer spoke about the impact of Siloam’s work in global health care. Watch the full video here.
Belmont University and Nashville State Community College today announced the renewal of a nursing studies partnership between the two institutions. The partnership was created many years ago for students who plan to attend Belmont to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Before transferring, students satisfy the prerequisites needed and earn an Associate Degree in Health Science at Nashville State. Belmont holds a maximum of 16 seats for Nashville State students each year.
With the city of Nashville attracting more and more health care industry, the partnership continues to build a strong pipeline of quality nursing talent for an ever-growing workforce. The agreement’s extension was finalized at a signing ceremony held on Nashville State’s White Bridge campus Tuesday afternoon.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Nashville State through the renewal of this agreement,” said Belmont President Dr. L. Gregory Jones. “Given that Nashville is the health care capital of the world, we understand the role higher education institutions in our city must play in educating the next generation of health care talent. With the shortages health care is seeing amidst the pandemic, we are eager to support the growing pipeline of nurses across this region and beyond.”
“This program creates another Nashville State bridge to Belmont for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in nursing,” said Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson. “The College is focused on increasing the talent pipeline in Nashville and strengthening our transfer pathways is key. We thank Belmont for the continued partnership.”
To learn more about this program, click here.
Dr. Mike Voight, Professor in Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy, spent the last week traveling the country lecturing.
He began in Las Vegas at the 2021 International Orthopaedic Summit, one of the nation’s most premiere Orthopaedic meetings with more than 10 simultaneous tracks. This year, the International Society of Hip Arthroscopy partnered with OSET for their annual meeting. With over 1500 orthopedic surgeons and specialists in attendance, Dr. Voight gave seven presentations on various orthopedic topics. While there, he also gave a presentation to the Hip Arthroscopy Society on return to play guidelines following hip surgery.
From there, Dr. Voight traveled to Pennsylvania to give an all-day presentation to the medical staff of the Philadelphia Phillies MLB baseball club. The topic was on movement assessment to recognize and prevent baseball injuries.
On November 13, the School of Physical Therapy celebrated the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Class of 2022 as they completed their coursework and transitioned to full-time clinical education experiences in preparation for Graduation in August 2022. The White Coat Ceremony and Reception were sponsored by Upstream Rehabilitation. In addition to students and their families and guests, the ceremony was also attended by College of Health Sciences & Nursing Dean Dr. Cathy Taylor, Regional Vice President Benchmark Physical Therapy Dr. Rob Colasso and School of Physical Therapy faculty and staff. Dr. Casey Kalb, Vice President of Operations at Upstream Rehabilitation, addressed the Class offering encouragement and wisdom. The ceremony also included the Presentation of White Coats by the students’ advisors, Blessing of the Hands led by University Minister Heather Daugherty and the reading of a Professional Oath.
Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy was well represented at the 2021 Educational Leadership Conference recently held in Atlanta, Georgia.
A collaborative effort of the APTA Academy of Education and American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), the Conference is designed to excite, educate, invigorate and facilitate discussion among all stakeholders in physical therapy education. The conference seeks to provide opportunities to meet and engage in collegial discussions with physical therapy educators from across the country. This year’s theme was “Habits for the Development of an Impactful and Sustainable Future for All.”
Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education at Belmont Dr. Gary Austin (pictured above) presented a poster on “Healthcare educator’s knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about pain” submitted by he and his co-authors Sue Curfman and Ryan McConnell.
Belmont University’s School of Nursing is one of 23 nursing programs from across the country to have been named a 2021 National League for Nursing (NLN) “Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.” Belmont was formally recognized in the “Enhance student learning and professional development” category at the Honors Convocation during the 2021 NLN Education Summit this fall.
The Center of Excellence designation is a public expression of the ongoing, high quality, day-to-day work that Belmont faculty and staff do in preparing the next generation of professional nurses and nurse practitioners, reflective of a sustained pattern of excellence in nursing education set long ago.
Associate Dean of Nursing Dr. Martha Buckner said, “I am so grateful for the heritage of strong past leadership of this program and for our current faculty, staff and students who give their all in pursuit of excellence.”
Buckner said the designation came after a year-long process of faculty reflection, planning, collaboration, data collection and writing. The lengthy application describes the School of Nursing as “a community of learners that fosters high levels of student engagement and professional development.” The key emphases of the application included dynamic curricula at both undergraduate and graduate levels, Belmont’s nationally accredited simulation center, a focus on interprofessional education and rich opportunities for service learning and community service.
The NLN Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education program, established in 2004, publicly recognizes schools of nursing and health care organizations that set high standards, are committed to continuous quality improvement and demonstrate sustained, evidence-based and substantive innovation. These organizations are applauded for their vision to go beyond the norm and achieve excellence in student learning and professional development, pedagogical expertise of faculty or the science of nursing education.
“National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence help raise the bar for all nursing programs by role modeling visionary leadership and environments of inclusive excellence that nurture the next generation of a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of the nation and the global community,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FANN.
Since its opening in 1972, the School of Nursing at Belmont University has remained focused on its mission of fostering a Christ-centered community that creates a culture of openness and mutual respect, excellence in teaching and the privilege of service. Belmont’s School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an accelerated second degree program, a Masters of Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The school prides itself in its student’s exceptional success rates. In 2019, the NCLEX passing rate was 93 percent and the FNP Certification pass rate was 100 percent. The School of Nursing takes pride in being a Center of Excellence and looks forward to future successes to come.
The 2021 NLN Centers of Excellence include honorees in the following categories:
Enhance student learning and professional development
Promote the pedagogical expertise of faculty
Creating workplace environments that promote the academic progression of nurses
Advance the science of nursing education
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond, many have felt the effects of self-isolation, as they stayed home to protect others. With the hope of spreading joy and a sense of togetherness, Belmont School of Physical Therapy Class of 2024 students teamed up with Lauren Scanlon, a geriatric certified specialist at Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute at Vanderbilt, to provide letters to senior adults as part of APTA’s 100 Days of Service.
Together, letters and artwork were crafted and sent to Letters Against Isolation, an organization that provides handwritten letters to residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
Associate Professor Christi Williams said, “This project served as a great way to get connected with the community and put a smile on someone’s face. Thank you to Pi Beta Phi for collaborating with our physical therapy students on such a thoughtful project. Spread joy and togetherness today and every day!”
For more information about the Letters Against Isolation organization, visit: https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/
On October 17, Dr. Natalie Michaels, professor in Belmont’s School of Occupational Therapy, hosted and performed in a musical fundraising event at Kat’s Bar and Grill in Mount Juliet, Tennessee in support of the Nashville Dolphins. Occupational therapy alumna Dr. Roya Rezadoost and psychology alumna Audrey Thresher also sang for the cause.
“We always have a good time at this event, especially with our talented Belmont graduates,” said Michaels. “This year was extremely successful. When we do this event, everything in the tip jar goes directly to the charity, and this year we raised more than ever before. We were thrilled with the turnout for this fundraiser, thanks to Kat Reed of Kat’s Bar and Grill, Rick Michaels for his never ending support and to our awesome graduates. Belmont graduates rock!”
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Dr. Mike Voight, professor in Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy, was recently accepted as one of the newest members of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). WAME began in 1995 as an association of editors of peer-reviewed medical journals from countries throughout the world who sought to facilitate worldwide cooperation and communication among editors of peer-reviewed medical journals.
Given the world-wide proliferation of predatory journals, the goal of WAME is to expand the voice and influence of medical editors to enhance the exchange of educational information, while at the same time improving editorial standards. Enhancing editorial standards helps to promote peer review as a vehicle for scientific discourse and enhance quality assurance in medical education. This in turn will help to achieve the highest level of ethical medical journalism.
On October 3, Belmont University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students volunteered at the annual Sara Walker Run to honor the life of a 2003 Belmont DPT alumna, Sara Pigg Walker. The Sara Walker Run is a fundraising event for various missions supported through the Sara Walker Foundation that are intended to help spread Walker’s message of hope to others through Jesus Christ.
This year marked the 12th Sara Walker Run, which takes place on the campus of Lipscomb University. The first Run occurred in April 2011 when Walker’s ‘Belmont PT family’ sought to find a way to raise funds for medical expenses to help Walker and her family when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Due to its huge success, and to continue to honor Walker, the annual Sara Walker Run continues today and serves as the Sara Walker Foundation’s main fundraising event.
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The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame this week inducted its 2020 and 2021 classes at a ceremony held in Belmont’s newly opened Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The dual-year class is made up of 10 health care leaders and legends from across the state.
The Hall of Fame, which was created by Belmont University, Belmont’s McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, seeks to recognize and honor the leaders that have formed Tennessee’s heath and health care community.
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College of Health Sciences and Nursing Dean and Professor Dr. Cathy Taylor recently served on the Chronic Disease Prevention Task Force for the State of Tennessee, spearheaded by Senator Rosalind Kurita. Taylor, along with two other experts, received an invitation from the Governor’s Office, in conjunction with the commissioner of health, to act as a subject matter expert to make recommendations for improving the health of Tennesseans.
Taylor and her team, which included Belmont public health students Genevieve Delano and Deviyani Bajpai, conducted online research and interviews to make recommendations to the task force. Despite the interruption of COVID-19 on the team’s research, Taylor and her team contributed to the final recommendation to allow local authorization to limit tobacco smoking and vaping in public spaces. The recommendation was passed into legislation by the 112th General Assembly.
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Dr. Mike Voight, professor in the School of Physical Therapy, was an invited speaker this past week at the 16th Annual University of Colorado Sports Medicine Fall Symposium.
This marks the second time Voight has spoken at this well-attended meeting for physicians and rehabilitation providers. The focus of this year’s meeting was the management of injuries to the lower quarter. In addition to serving as a panelist with other surgeons, Voight presented on multiple topics: “Return to play after non-operative and operative treatment to the knee;” “Rehabilitation following regenerative injections for the knee;” “Overview of the clinical examination of the hip;” and “Five keys to the successful management of core muscle injuries.”
In addition to in-person attendance at this meeting, there was also a large virtual audience participating. Following the meeting, Voight was a special guest at the Colorado Buffalo vs Texas A&M football game held the following day.
Senior nursing major Veronica Bernaba was recently selected as one of six 2021 recipients of the BlueCross Power of We Scholarship. The scholarship, funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, awards $10,000 to outstanding minority students pursuing careers in the health care field with a goal of helping to reduce health disparities by improving diversity in the state’s health care workforce and combating systemic racism and injustice.
Bernaba has been on a clear path to health care, but there have been obstacles. This scholarship will allow her to reach her goals without worrying about financial support. “I understand what it’s like to be affected by health disparities and what it’s like to feel underrepresented and not have anyone advocate for you,” Bernaba said in a video in BlueCross’s announcement. “I want to be that type of nurse that evokes change in her community.”
To do that, Bernaba said you have to understand your patients’ lives in order to treat their bodies holistically.
Continue readingGrant Recipients Receive Additional Coursework Specific to Nurse Educator Role
For the second year in a row, Belmont University’s School of Nursing received the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to train nursing educators. A cost matching award, Belmont was awarded federal funds of $422,317 from HRSA, and the University will match with $46,924. This grant addresses the ongoing shortage of nurse educators by offering Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student scholarships of 85 percent tuition reduction with an agreement that the students will serve as nursing faculty or FNP preceptors for four years after graduation.
In addition to the traditional DNP education in the family nurse practitioner (FNP) role, students will obtain coursework specific to the role of a nursing educator. Students in the Belmont NFLP will benefit from mentorship, strong nurse educator preparation, and monetary support to pursue doctoral education and loan forgiveness. Easing the financial barrier to doctoral education will improve the supply of nurse educators and nurse practitioner preceptors.
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On July 13, the College of Health Sciences and Nursing hosted approximately 70 high school teachers and advisers for the Tennessee Career and Technical Education Conference. The participants rotated through demonstrations and presentations of each of the disciplines in the College of Health Sciences and Nursing, exposing them to the professions and giving them suggested activities to introduce their students to these careers.
In addition, this was an opportunity to showcase the Belmont facilities to teachers and advisers who will be working with high school students as they consider their college options.
The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, including “I have been going to this conference for years and this has been the best.” Many expressed interest in bringing their students to campus.
Belmont University has announced the sixth and seventh inductee classes of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame. Because last year’s inductee class was not able to be recognized in person due to COVID-19, this year’s event will honor both the 2020 and 2021 classes at a ceremony on October 19.
With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created in 2015 by founding partners Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council.
“Over the course of the past 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused the spotlight on the health care industry and the important role health care professionals play in each of our lives,” said Belmont President Dr. L. Gregory Jones. “Now more than ever, we want to honor the leaders in this vital field, individuals who demonstrate the character, compassion and strength of purpose that quite literally transforms lives on a daily basis.”
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Dr. Teresa Plummer, associate professor in the School of Occupational Therapy, presented on her current research involving 40 international experts in the field of pediatric powered mobility entitled: Global Partnerships: Opportunities and Challenges: The development of a training guide for teaching infants how to use the Explorer Mini (a new powered mobility device for infants 12-36 months. She and co-researchers Feldner, Hendry and Leire have created an evidence-based guide for therapists and caregivers of children with mobility impairments.
Additionally, she co-presented a poster entitled: What if ‘Early’ Is Too Late? Supporting the Theoretical Perspective of On Time Mobility In Early Childhood Intervention.
The European Academy of Childhood Disabilities is an international forum for individuals interested in advocacy and research in conditions that affect infants and children.
On May 14-16, physical therapy students Ann Shikles and Marissa Arnerich participated in a Virtual Service Experience (VSE) in the Dominican Republic through a nonprofit organization called Here for Kids. Here for Kids aims to help at-risk children through sending teams of students and young adults to various locations throughout the world to share their sports and educational gifts. For this VSE, Here for Kids partnered with an organization called Kids Alive Dominican Republic.
Shikles and Arnerich worked with two sites in the Dominican Republic during their virtual service experience. These sites have both a children’s home and school associated with them that are run by Kids Alive. The students learned about the sites and the work they do there, took a virtual tour of the neighborhoods that house the sites and the sites themselves, and met with missionaries placed in the Dominican Republic.
Arnerich explained, “We also were able to virtually meet and play with the kids living in the children’s home at one of the sites. In addition to learning about our partner sites and organizations, we also learned a lot about each other through testimonies and devotionals. Together, we spoke about our faith journeys, reflected on the importance of service and what it truly means to serve, and how we as future physical therapists will be able to apply our hearts for service into our profession.”
Dr. Natalie Michaels, PT, EdD, professor in the occupational therapy department at Belmont University, has been named co-editor of the Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy. This is the primary peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, a section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Michaels will be serving in this capacity with Anita Van Wingerden from the School of Health Professions at Rutgers State University of New Jersey.
Dr. Michaels has been actively involved in aquatic physical therapy for many years. She was awarded the 2021 Richard Ruoti Research Award for Excellence at the 2021 Combined Sections Meeting and has published numerous articles in the field, ranging from the use of aquatic exercise for weight loss in older adults to the efficacy of activity monitors ion land and in the water. She is a recipient of the Hydroworx Research Grant and has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy. She holds an Aquatic Clinical Competency Certificate through the Aquatic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and an Aquatic Certification through the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute (ATRI).
Tim Stewart, director of service-learning at Belmont University, and Leigh Holdsambeck, a graduate student in Belmont’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, are both recipients of a 2021 Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award. The awards were created and named for late Representative Harold Love, Sr. to celebrate and honor students, faculty and staff in higher education across Tennessee who have demonstrated exemplary service in their communities.
Each year, five awards are given to students, and five awards are given to faculty/staff, and each individual recipient receives a cash prize of $1,000. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was given the charge to implement this recognition, and a task force of institutional and board representatives convenes annually to review submitted proposals.
Continue readingNew Belmont University President Dr. L. Gregory Jones isn’t easing into his new position. Rather, Dr. Jones—along with his wife, the Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones—is using his first day in office to make an immediate impact with campus and community leaders through a full day of meetings and conversations across the city, all introducing his theme for his inaugural year, “Let Hope Abound.”
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On April 24, Dr. Mike Voight from Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy gave the 5th Annual James R. Andrews Endowed Lectureship in Sports Medicine at Tulane University Institute of Sports Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Along with Dr. Thomas Byrd, Voight presented a course on The Hip: A Comprehensive Course on Evaluation, Surgery and Rehabilitation of the Athletes Hip. Given in a hybrid in-person/online event, Chief of Orthopedics at Tulane Medical School Dr. Felix Savoie and the incoming President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery welcomed approximately 500 clinicians to learn more about the implementation of cutting-edge conservative and surgical techniques associated with the athlete’s hip. Dr. Voight presented on the modern philosophies on rehabilitation of the hip from both a conservative and post-operative perspective.
Occupational Therapy Associate Professor Dr. Teresa Plummer, PhD, OTR/L,ATP, CEAS, CAPS is presenting a series of lectures in South America via zoom. She will present a weekly series in May regarding pediatric mobility. Having postponed this lecture series for 2 years, the decision to go virtual will be a bonus to South American occupational and physical therapists, allowing professionals from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chili, Argentina and Columbia to attend.
Translated in Portuguese and Spanish, more than 150 therapists participate in this five-week educational series. Topics include “the relationship of vision, posture and mobility,” “the importance of on-time mobility” and “visual deficits and treatment.” This evidence-based education is particularly helpful to therapists in areas hit hard by the pandemic like Brazil as it helps them maintain current clinical practice.
On April 19, students from Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy volunteered for the First Annual Tracy Lawrence Mission Possible Celebrity Golf Shootout to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. Students along with their faculty advisor Dr. Mike Voight arrived early in the morning to help set up the guest registration area and prepared the on-course refreshment stations. Shortly thereafter, 30 teams of golfers along with more than 40 celebrities from stage and screen began arriving for a day of golf and fellowship.
During the event, many of the students served as marshals / witnesses for various on-course challenges that included cars/trucks for a hole-in-one as well as a final shootout for $150,000 in cash. The day finished up with an informal acoustic concert given by the various musical celebrities who had participated during the day.
At the end of the day, the real winner of the day was the Nashville Rescue Mission as more than $225,0000 was raised to help feed the homeless. Tracey Lawrence, Kid Rock and PGA tour player John Daly all publicly praised the students and personally thanked them for their help in making this event a success and have already begun planning for a bigger and better event next year.
