Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Announces Call for Nominations

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Graduate Health Sciences

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame, an initiative to honor Tennessee’s finest health care leaders, is accepting nominations for its 2016 class via the organization’s website, www.tnhealthcarehall.com. Submissions will be accepted until March 18.

With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health care industry, the Hall of Fame seeks to recognize the pioneers who have formed Tennessee’s health care community and encourage future generations of innovators and leaders.

Co-founded by Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, the Hall of Fame inducted its eight inaugural members at a luncheon last year. Inaugural inductees include:

Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr.: Physician and Flight Surgeon in U.S. Air Force, Co-Founder, Past Chairman and CEO of Hospital Corporation of America, Co-Founder of China Healthcare, Corporation, Member of National Healthcare Hall of Fame
Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr.: Cardiologist and Internist, Founder of Park View Hospital, Co-Founder of Hospital Corporation of America
Dr. Ernest William Goodpasture: Pathologist and Physician, Past Dean of Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Past Director of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
Jack C. Massey: Co-Founder of Hospital Corporation of America, Founder and Past Board Member of Baptist Hospital
R. Clayton McWhorter: Pharmacist and Co-Founder of HealthTrust and Clayton Associates, Past President and CEO of Hospital Corporation of America, Lifetime Achievement Award from Federation of American Health Systems Recipient
Dr. David Satcher: 16^th U.S. Surgeon General, Past Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Past President of Meharry Medical College and Morehouse School of Medicine
Dr. Mildred T. Stahlman: Pediatrician and Pathologist, Founder of the country’s first modern neonatology intensive care unit, Pioneered the use of respiratory therapy on infants with damaged lungs, Past President of the American Pediatric Society, Distinguished Alumna of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Danny Thomas: Founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and ALSAC

Submitted nominees will be evaluated by the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee, comprised of healthcare leaders across the state.

Potential inductees must have:

Been born, lived or have worked in Tennessee
Made a significant impact and lasting contribution to health care at the local, state, national or international level
Exhibit the highest ethical and professional character
Serve as an outstanding role model in their community.

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program Earns Reaccreditation for 10 Years

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Graduate Health Sciences

Belmont’s Entry Level Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy was recently granted a 10-year reaccreditation term from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). ACOTE awards an accreditation period of 5, 7, or 10 years with 7 years as the “standard number of years for reaccreditation” and 10 years granted to programs with “demonstrated exceptional educational quality and no areas of noncompliance.”

ACOTE’s primary purposes are quality assurance and program improvement/enhancement. To fulfill these purposes, ACOTE requires programs to engage in a self-study and submit an evaluative report. Although program evaluation is ongoing, the formal self-study process was initiated more than a year ago under the direction of Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld, EdD, OTR/L, program chair, Yvette Hachtel, JD, OTR/L, self-study chair, and Debra Gibbs, interim OTD program director in conjunction with the Curriculum Committee and occupational therapy faculty, administration, students, graduates, fieldwork educators, staff and stakeholders. The self-study required faculty to participate in intensive reviews to assure compliance with ACOTE standards.

Prior to the onsite visit, current OTD Program Director Dr. Sabrina Salvant led a series of preparatory discussions in collaboration with faculty, students and stakeholders to further examine adherence to ACOTE standards. The on-site evaluation occurred from Nov. 9-11 and included interviews with senior leadership, administration, faculty, students, employers, fieldwork educators and graduates.

School of Physical Therapy presents Student Research

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Graduate Health Sciences

Belmont School of Physical Therapy recently held its annual research symposium and poster session. Ten groups presented the results of their research projects which they began in the first year of the program. The projects presented were very diverse from pediatrics through geriatrics, from normal healthy subject to individuals with dementia and pathology such as Charcot Marie Tooth to athletes such as the swimmers, football players, golfers and professional dancers. Research projects examined screening, diagnostics, and intervention. Data were presented on over 930 subjects. Below are the presentations: Congratulations to the third year Physical Therapy students on this significant accomplishment!
1. The impact of Kinesio taping® on gait parameters and pain in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
2. Distance between femoral head and acetabular rim in the Core-Assisted modification of the FABER test.
3. The Effect of Thigh Angle on Ground Reaction Force and Vertical Jump Height during a Drop Vertical Jump
4. The Effect of Dual-Task on Gait Velocity in Geriatric Subjects with Mild to Moderate Cognitive Decline.
5. A Retrospective Analysis of the Pre-Season Screen Used in a Professional Ballet Company with Recommendations for Improvements in the Screen
6. The Impact of Age and Gender on Forward Reach Measures in Typically Developing Children
7. Impact of Time on Post Warm Up Club Head Speed in Low Handicap Golfers
8. Spinal Accessory Nerve Conduction Recording from Upper and Middle Trapezius
9. Pre and Post-Season Child-SCAT3 Test Results Based on Contact Versus Non-Contact Sports Participation
10. A Comparison of the Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Stretching on Hamstring Extensibility

Belmont PT Professor and Alumni Present at World Congress

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Graduate Health Sciences

Dr. Mike Voight, Professor of Physical Therapy at Belmont University, recently presented at the 2015 First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy on Return to Play (RTP) which was held in Bern, Switzerland. Over 900 physical therapists from 37 countries attended the Congress which was a cooperative effort between the Swiss Sports Physiotherapy Association (SSPA), the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT), and the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM).

The purpose of the conference was to present the current evidence on RTP criteria and guidelines in different areas, where the sports physical therapist plays a major role in helping athletes to return to the highest level after injury or surgery. Dr. Voight’s presentation was the assessment of movement as a return to play criteria.

Also presenting their research at the Congress were two graduates from Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy, Dr. Terry Grindstaff (G04) and Dr. Ashley Campbell (G11).

OTD students welcome OTA students from Nashville State

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Graduate Health Sciences

First year doctoral students in Belmont’s Occupational Therapy program recently hosted students and faculty from the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Nashville State Community College (NSCC) as part of their preparation for upcoming fieldwork experiences.

Ms. Donna Whitehouse, Associate Professor and Director of NSCC’s OTA program, was joined by OTA students, Chloe Morton, Emily Rivers, Joy Whitley, Donna Whitehouse, Casey Miller and Marcus Maclin in sharing information about the OTA curriculum, the roles and responsibilities of an occupational therapy assistant, and supervision guidelines.

The purpose of the class was to familiarize the students with how occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants collaborate to deliver occupational therapy services.

PT Students Again Help Coordinate Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Once again this fall, students from Belmont University School of Physical Therapy provided logistical support for the annual Race for the Cure in Nashville, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen organization. Over 100 student volunteers assisted with course setup and takedown and served as course marshals at the start and finish lines and throughout the course to help manage a crowd of over 20,000 participants and spectators.

Dr. Michael Voight, professor of physical therapy at Belmont, serves on the Komen Board of Directors and was co-chair for this year’s race. “Komen Greater Nashville has provided more that $3 million for screening, treatment and educational services to the women of Middle Tennessee,” said Voight, “and our students graciously support this endeavor each year.” It was just over a year ago that Susan G. Komen International recognized Belmont PT students as their volunteer organization of the year. Also serving as co-chair for this year’s race was Dr. Ashley Campbell, an alumnus of Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy who currently serves as an adjunct professor. “I began my involvement with the SGK Race for the Cure six years ago as a 3^rd year PT student,” said Campbell, “but had no idea at the time that this would become a passion for me. We could not have had the success that we’ve had without the continued support of our Belmont students.” Continue reading →

Physical Therapy students support Miles and Music for Kids

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

The annual event raised $636K for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital

Belmont University’s School of Physical Therapy partnered with the annual Dierks Bentley Miles and Music for Kids motorcycle ride and concert to benefit Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital on Nov, 1. The event is the unofficial kick-off to the biggest week of the year in Nashville–CMA week. This year marked the 10th year of the annual event, with Belmont’s PT program assisting as volunteer staff since its inception in 2006.

In the past decade, the ride and concert has raised more than three million dollars to help Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and has gone to support the hospital’s pediatric palliative care program. The program supports the hospital’s sickest patients, many of whom are facing the end of life. This money enables families to focus on their kids. “Money raised goes to families so they can focus their prayers on their kids getting well and not have to worry and pray about money. There is so much positive energy there and so many great doctors,” Bentley said.

Sells, Bentley, Voight The event is one Bentley said he looks forward to year round. “I look forward to this show more than any other show of the entire year. We get to do something for the community, give back to the community,” Bentley said before the event. “We could not have taken this event to the level it now is without the help of my friend Mike Voight and his students at Belmont University. The Belmont students have been integral to the success of this event from the inaugural ride ten years ago to its current size. I always look forward to working with them.” Continue reading →

School of Nursing Leads the Way at Tennessee Nurses Association Meeting

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

A group of students and faculty from Belmont’s School of Nursing attended the Tennessee Nurses Association meeting Oct. 23-25 in Franklin. The conference, entitled “Nursing Ethics: Commitment, Compassion, Quality Care,” featured a legislative panel with Tennessee legislators, keynote speakers and podium and poster presentations from nursing students and leaders from around the state.

Sandy Murabito

Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Sandy Murabito was installed as president of the organization, having served the past year as president-elect, Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Donna Copenhaver was elected as secretary and Instructor of Nursing Tracy Wilson continues on the state-wide nominating committee. Earlier in the month, Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Loretta Bond was elected as vice president for the Nashville district. Additionally, a total of 8 students participated in the jointly held Tennessee Association of Student Nurses conference and participated in shared educational sessions.

TNA’s Executive Director Sharon Adkins said, “I am delighted that Sandy has assumed the presidency and am sure that under her strong leadership, TNA will make an even greater impact on our profession and the health of our citizens.”

During the annual gala on Saturday, Oct. 24, Professor of Nursing Dr. Leslie Higgins was presented with the Award of Excellence for Nursing Education.

Belmont Health Science Students attend Global Missions Conference

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Shelby Blalock, a doctoral student in pharmacy, adds a marker for Guatemala on a world map at the conference which represented mission trips of participants. Shelby’s interest in missions was reinforced during a Belmont Health Science mission trip to the country earlier this year.

Students and faculty from Belmont University’s health science programs recently attended the 2015 Global Missions Health Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Over 3000 health professionals and health professions students gathered for the world’s largest such gathering for medical missions.

Dr. Ruby Dunlap, Professor of Nursing, and Dr. Tracy Frame, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, coordinated participation of 16 students from Belmont’s programs in nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physical therapy. Student involvement was spearheaded by Derek Neice, a senior nursing major, and facilitated by a gift from the Gabhart Fund to help pay registration fees. Continue reading →

School of Physical Therapy joins Vanderbilt University Medical Center in adding PT residencies

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Elise Shepart, PT, DPT, left, David Jennings, PT, DPT, and Natalie Berra, PT, are taking part in Vanderbilt’s new specialized Physical Therapy residency programs. Shepart and Jennings are graduates of Belmont’s DPT program. (photo by Anne Rayner)

Story courtesy of Vanderbilt University Medical Center edited for Belmont University

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in conjunction with the School of Physical Therapy at Belmont University, has launched specialized Physical Therapy (PT) residency programs in Orthopaedics (Sports) and Pediatrics in addition to an existing Neurological program.

“We are excited to partner with Vanderbilt for these residency programs,” said Dr. Renee Brown, PT, PhD, Professor of Physical Therapy at Belmont. “This provides an opportunity for our graduates to advance their practice after graduation and pursue specialty certification. The Neurologic residency is in its 4^th year and has a 100% first time pass rate on the ABPTS board certification examination. This year the neurologic and sports residents are graduates of Belmont’s DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy) program.” Continue reading →

Higgins Receives Nursing Education Excellence Award

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Dr. Leslie Higgins, professor of nursing and director of Belmont’s Graduate Studies in Nursing, was recently named as the recipient of the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) Nursing Excellence – Nursing Education Award. The Education Excellence award recognizes a nursing faculty who reflects outstanding performance in promoting and maintaining excellence in professional practice, mentorship and educational standards, and provides leadership to improve quality of care.

Serving as a nurse educator for 40 years, Dr. Higgins began with a joint appointment at Vanderbilt School of Nursing/Vanderbilt Medical Center and has continued to work with students since then. Her nominator said of her, “Leslie coined the phrase “the Belmont touch” to characterize a graduate program that is rigorous but student-centered. She acknowledges her high expectations for students, and sets a climate wherein students want to perform at their very best. She shows students how to think critically through her own use of this process. In conversation with Leslie, one can always see “the wheels turning” as she thinks through complex phenomena and encourages students to do the same. Her approach to nursing education is grounded in evidence-based practices, while emphasizing the art of nursing that attends to the whole person.”

Nursing Graduate Honored Among Top 30 NCAA Women of the Year

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Oct 20, 2015

While she may not have won the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year award, Belmont women’s soccer alumna and School of Nursing graduate Alison Alcott stood tall with the other Top 30 winners from around the country, spanning all three NCAA Divisions.

Earlier this month, the NCAA hosted a dinner in Indianapolis to recognize the 2015 Top 30 honorees. ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza served as host for the evening and introduced each of the Top 30 to the crowd gathered at the Westin. Clarion University’s Kristin Day was named the NCAA Woman of the Year at the end of the evening.

A busy weekend awaited Alcott, who completed her nursing night shift at Vanderbilt Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit at 8 a.m., only to climb right into her boyfriend’s car for the four-plus hour ride to Indianapolis. She even used one of her socks from her days on the pitch as a sleep mask for her nap during the drive. Continue reading →

School of Physical Therapy Celebrates 15 Years of ‘Family’

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

More than 100 alumni return for reunion

Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy celebrated its 15-year anniversary of DPT graduates this month with a first-ever reunion for the three-year doctoral program. In addition to networking with one another and PT faculty and staff, the event allowed alumni to earn Continuing Education course credit and to provide support for a few special members. Continue reading →

Nursing & Women’s Soccer Alum Named 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 Nominee

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Belmont women’s soccer alumna Alison Alcott, a 2015 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), has been selected as one of the Top-30 honorees for the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year award, as announced by the organization on Thursday. She becomes the first student-athlete from the Ohio Valley Conference and the first Bruin to garner the honor.

Ten women from each of the three divisions make up the Top 30, spanning various NCAA sports. Later this month, three finalists from each division will be selected to form the nine finalists for the award.

Earlier this summer, Alcott was tabbed the 2015 Woman of the Year Conference Honoree for the OVC, joining a record 146 other NCAA female student-athletes were also named Woman of the Year honorees by their respective conferences and independent schools. Continue reading →

Occupational Therapy Orientation Includes Community Service

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Students and faculty from Belmont’s School of Occupational Therapy participated in an afternoon of service at seven Nashville locations on Monday, August 24, as part of new student orientation.

The team of 56 students and faculty members completed a number of projects including delivering household items for refugee families with World Relief, sorting and organizing equipment for children with special needs living overseas with Show Hope and my LIFE speaks, packaging new parent materials for the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee, completing landscaping at Homeplace, making graduation photo collages for New Beginnings and interacting with clients at Fifty Forward’s adult daycare services.

Through these experiences, incoming students were introduced to organizations around the Belmont community as they were actively involved in service, a key value of the University and a central theme in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate curriculum design.

Nursing Faculty Member Quoted in Nurse.com Article

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

In an article titled “Nurses Take Lead Role in Treating Depression Among Diabetic Patients” on nurse.com, Belmont Associate Professor of Nursing Jamie Adam was interviewed and quoted about depression in diabetic patients due to her recent work on the topic.

Adam provides information on factors that contribute to depression occurrences including poor health, chronic illness, socioeconomic status and unemployment.

To view the article in its entirety, click here.

Belmont Student Receives National Student Nurses Association Scholarship

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Allison Storrow, a Belmont University junior and nursing major, was recently awarded one of five Promise of Nursing Scholarships from The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA). Overall, 15 students from three states received the award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future. Since 2002, the campaign has raised more than $18 million for undergraduate student nursing scholarships, faculty fellowships and nursing school grants.

The 15 recipients were selected by a scholarship selection committee, made up of faculty and students, who reviewed the hundreds of submitted scholarship applications. For more information on the FNSNA and its scholarship opportunities, click here.

Belmont University student wins 1st Annual F.A. Davis Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) August 19, 2015

F.A. Davis is delighted to announce the winner of its first annual undergraduate nursing scholarship. An award of $1,500.00 will be made to Megan M. Maddox, a student in the BSN fast track nursing program at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ms. Maddox juggles her full-time studies with two jobs and volunteer work at her church, Cross Point Community, mentoring a group of high school girls. Her hard-earned 3.6 GPA demonstrates her outstanding academic achievements. She’ll complete her degree in December 2016. Continue reading →

Belmont OTD graduate featured in “Today in OT” for program she developed as a student

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

Dr. Amanda Hassen, a 2015 graduate of Belmont University School of Occupational Therapy, was featured in a recent article in Today in OT for her work in teaching swimming skills to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The effort was part of Hassen’s experiential component as a third-year doctoral student in occupational therapy at Belmont that integrated curricular themes of clinical excellence, scholarship, service and leadership. Continue reading →

Belmont Nursing Graduate is Honored Again, This Time by Ohio Valley Conference

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

On the heels of being selected as the Belmont University nominee for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year award, recent Belmont nursing and women’s soccer alumna Alison Alcott (Dallas, Texas) received another honor from the NCAA. She was named the 2015 Woman of the Year Conference Honoree for the Ohio Valley Conference.

In May, Alcott was presented the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award for her stellar career on the pitch and in the classroom along with good sportsmanship and citizenship, becoming only the second women women’s player to garner the honor. Continue reading →

DNP Student Teaches Healthcare in Haiti as Frist Global Health Fellow

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Graduate Health Sciences

When doctorate of nursing practice student Jennifer Quigley realized she would be the first Belmont recipient of the Frist Global Health Fellowship, she said she was eager to use her passion for global health to implement a plan for teaching health care providers in Cap-Haitien, Haiti a modern method of natural family planning. Her trip was born of a partnership between Belmont’s College of Health Sciences and Nursing and the organization Hope Through Healing Hands, which was founded by Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D.

Although the goal of the trip was to assist the Haitian people, Quigley was quick to say the trip was life-changing for her, as well. “I learned so much more from the Haitian people than they learned from me. I have never seen a more joyous people, full of life and love, and each was eager to show me love. Though they did not have much, I never went hungry, and I always had water. They joyfully give, even if they have so little to start with,” she said. “I also had the opportunity to deliver a baby, with only one other nurse, no drugs and not sterile equipment — only a clean room and the two of us. It was an experience I will hold with me for the rest of my life.” Continue reading →

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