Rising junior exercise science and Spanish major Morgan Tweddle has spent the last two months shadowing three Ph.D. candidates for the School of Kinesiology at Texas A&M as a lab assistant, aiding in data collection and gaining experience in the field she hopes to join.
Tweddle’s main focus has been an infant intervention called “tummy time,” an intentional placing of an infant on their stomach during play time that has been proven to build core muscles, allowing infants to explore their surroundings sooner and begin their cognitive development. In the candidates’ study, the researchers looked specifically at the effects of tummy time on infants with Down Syndrome. Tweddle collected data and evaluated the babies’ developmental progress.
The researchers used two motor tests, the Bayley and the Peabody, taken monthly to measure the infant’s development. The tests take each child through a series of different skill sets and movements, and the baby’s progress is scored based on their results. A previous study found average scores of infants with and without Down Syndrome without the use of tummy time. There was a profound gap between the progression of the infants – tummy time is intended to close that gap.
Tweddle and her team used the previous study for comparison purposes as they added the prescribed 90-minute/day tummy time regimen to a group of babies with and without Down Syndrome. Tweddle explained that the results indicate “the infants with Down Syndrome who have tummy time are remaining at the same developmental level as those without for a longer period of time before there is a gap in their development.” Therefore, with tummy time, the developmental gap is much smaller.
Seeing the impact of these results, Tweddle said she now understands the importance of her work. “Our most exciting example of this was a baby we worked with who has Down Syndrome who started walking at 16 months – the national average is 24 months! It was incredible. Now that he can walk, explore his surroundings and continue his cognitive and social development, he can live life more fully,” she said.
It was through Belmont’s Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honor Society that Tweddle first heard of the opportunity and was chosen through an application in the spring semester. “Through my job at the gym, I went in comfortable with resume writing and interview processes, both of which I think helped me to secure a position there at all,” she said. Tweddle is a personal trainer and yoga instructor at Belmont’s Fitness and Recreation Center, both of which, she says, are similar to the personal interaction and movements necessary to be a successful physical therapist.
One of Tweedle’s favorite parts of the program was the day spent at the Texas State Special Olympics to provide health screenings for athletes.
Post graduation, Tweddle plans to attend physical therapy school to obtain both a Doctor of Physical Therapy, allowing her to practice in a clinical setting, and a Ph.D., allowing her to conduct research and teach. Tweddle explained that this opportunity gave her new excitement for her future goals. “I am a planner, and this gave me a look at one of the possible roads I can take. God led me to this opportunity, and it is exciting to see His plan for me starting to unfold,” she said.
Alumni Jenny and Evan Owens may not have ever gone through basic training, much less served in combat, but the couple has still developed a passion for ministering to soldiers and their families. In fact, helping soldiers overcome the spiritual wounds of war has become this couple’s mission and led to them founding REBOOT Combat Recovery in 2011.
Jenny received her B.A. from Belmont in 2005 followed by a doctorate in occupational therapy, also from Belmont, in 2007. After graduating, she worked in neuro-rehabilitation at Vanderbilt and then with patients suffering traumatic brain injuries at the Warrior Resiliency and Recovery Center at Fort Campbell’s Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. Continue reading →
Rising senior social work major Rebecca Sanders trekked many miles and asked many difficult questions during Professor Dr. Andy Watt’s Maymester program as she and her team learned the history of the western U.S.’s land and people.
The trip began May 12 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where Sanders met with tribal elders and local artists to hear their stories and visit important, local sites. The next stop was the Crow Reservation in Montana to learn about the Battle of Little Big Horn and Crow culture. Soon after, the group traveled to Yellowstone National Park to participate in the park’s Wolf and Bear Exploration and Cody, Wyoming for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The trip concluded May 29 in Keystone, South Dakota with stops at Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Sylvan Lake and Badlands National Park. Continue reading →
Welcome Dr. Sabrina Sullenberger, Chair of the Social Work Department at Belmont University, as she begins blogging here from time to time.
Earlier this summer I had the privilege of co-leading a student immersion trip to several destinations in the US West, including the Lakota reservation in Pine Ridge, SD and the Crow reservation near Hardin, MT. While on the reservations, especially at Pine Ridge, I was confronted with the reality that I had not a clue about the lived experience of people there. What I knew of native history and culture prior to the trip was limited almost exclusively to books and the occasional documentary. As such, I was keenly aware of my lack of cultural knowledge and cultural competence (both of which are important concepts in social work) and so I was initially hesitant about how to connect with community members.
And then I remembered something: more important than cultural competence (which some would say can never be achieved) is the practice of cultural humility. Continue reading →
Thirteen Belmont students recently completed the Vanderbilt Experience Student Nurse Internship Program’s Summer 2015 Nurse Residency.
Out of these, Tisra Fadely was recognized with the Credo Award for her hard work on the perioperative track. According to her certificate, Fadely “is a student that made our patients the highest priority by communicating effectively with patients and their families and was committed to being a team player.”
As stated on her certificate, some of her preceptors attested to the qualities Fadely has that earned her the award. “Tisra demonstrates a rare sensitivity and dedication to patient centered care, as well as a keen interest in evidence-based practice. She was consistently kind, attentive and professional. As a coworker, she was respectful, conscientious and hardworking. One of her most impressive attributes is her gracious manner of asking questions and sharing information. She researches questions she has relating to patient care and shares her knowledge with true intellectual enthusiasm. I have found her deeply committed to patient care and genuinely committed to nursing.”
Associate Professor of Social Work Dr. Sabrina Sullenberger has been working with four former colleagues from Indiana University on a five year, ongoing research project to study attitudes of poverty and construction of social class.
Sullenberger and her team’s research was recently featured in an article in The Atlantic entitled, “Teenagers are Losing Confidence in the American Dream.” For more information, click here.
Belmont University nursing graduate Alison Alcott (Dallas, Texas) has been named one of the nominees for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award for her achievements on and off the field as a member of the Bruins’ women’s soccer team.
Last month, 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 →
Dr. Scott C. McInturff, a 2002 graduate of Belmont University’s doctoral program in physical therapy, was featured this week on Atlanta and Company, a weekday television show on Atlanta’s NBC affiliate, WXIA, 11Alive.
Dr. McInturff practices physical therapy at the Wellstar Health System’s pediatric center in Kennesaw, Georgia, treating children and young adults. Many of Scott’s patients are gymnasts, swimmers, dancers, cheerleaders, baseball/softball, football, soccer and basketball players. As part of his practice, he spends a lot of time educating parents and children on the importance of proper technique as it relates to reducing and possibly preventing injuries.
“Pediatrics and adolescence is unique: kids are not like adults, their bones are still maturing,” said McInturff in a 2014 Wellstar feature story. “Typically, they don’t have adult conditions, so we tailor their treatments to injuries or conditions specific to kids.”
The television segment featuring Dr. McInturff is linked here.
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Sarah Balding, Nursing Student
We started the morning early again, eating breakfast and doing our devotional around 7 am. After we ate the group split up and got ready to head for the day. I went with Kate, Jenni, Megan, Tiffany, and Amanda to do 4 more home visits. The rest of the team headed to HOPE to work in the hospital and the outpatient clinic. Once we arrived at the home care office we were greeted by the social workers, and got ready to head to the market. We were able to get the same food and hygiene supplies for each family again. The bags of rice and the other food items are able to feed the families for anywhere between 2 weeks to 1 month. This is extremely helpful and will help ease the financial burden on some of these families. Once we had gathered all of our supplies we loaded everything up on the Tuk-Tuks and headed out towards the first home.
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Sarah Hintz, Nursing Student
Today (Thu 5/21) some of the Community Health clinical groups were able to partner with HOPE organization and participate in HIV home visits. Even though it was only for half of a day, I feel that it was one of the most impacting parts of our trip. There were only four of us; Cassie, Dani, Sarah (our wonderful social worker and leader during the visits), and myself, who went on the home visits. Other groups went to the hospital to help with nursing check-offs, which we eventually also got to be involved in. It was so exciting to be with these nurses and see them take the knowledge they knew to relate it to real-life situations and understand the concepts of what they were learning. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Jenni Massie, Nursing Student
Today (Wed 5/20) was a great day. We (Belmont Nursing) had our first outdoor free clinic under a beautiful tree-covered veranda that provided shade so we could care for the Cambodian people.
A room at the guest house adjacent to the veranda was used for breast and pelvic exams. The organizations Precious Women and the Kone Kaming clinic provided this space. Our clinic also benefited from having a student of social services (Sarah) and physical therapy (Kate), this has allowed us to expand the care of the clinic beyond nursing.
The Clinic was set up in stations. Triage is responsible for vital signs, height and weight, getting a short history, and chief complaint. The assessment station, where I had the opportunity to work, further explored the patient’s history, performed a focused physical assessment, made a diagnosis, and recommended treatment or medication. Then the patient was directed to the pharmacy and treatment area. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Sarah Hodge, Nursing Student
Today (Sun 5/25) was a great day! We attended church at Phnom Penh Church of Christ. The church is filled with the most beautiful of souls. People are so welcoming and inviting. The service was filled with spirited worship, a baptism, and communion. I was extra relieved to see Pheap, a friend of Dr. Taplin, who I have formed a friendship with.
We then ventured down to the river that runs through the city to a restaurant known as FCC, a traditional place for foreigners to come and meet. It was fancier than where we have gone to eat. The food lived up to the high prices! It was exceptional. Comparably, the view over the river and the palace was fantastic. We were welcomed with a breeze to cool us off. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Erin Cantrell, Nursing Student
Today (Sat 5/23) we were warmly welcomed to the Asia Institute of Sciences in order to teach other nursing students:
We were each split up into groups and taught the following topics: SBAR (a communication tool for nurses at shift change), physical assessment, vital signs, hand hygiene, signs/symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as physical therapy techniques. There were several classrooms full of students eager to learn our topics. As we finished each presentation, we went to the next classroom to meet more smiling faces. The students were great in that they had many questions to ask which kept us on our toes. It was nice to work alongside my classmates and even more fun to work with Jenni Massie, who is currently in the Masters program: Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Geneva from Dr. Ruby Dunlap, Professor of Nursing
We started off Monday afternoon at the UNHCR with a great talk by Carol Laleve with years of experience in Syria. She was not very positive about any short term improvement in that situation, unfortunately. Tuesday was a packed day: first at the International Federation of the Red Cross and some excellent speakers followed by an afternoon at the WHO and some excellent speakers there. The global perspective on the world’s health issues is hard to take in, it is so vast.Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Sarah Hintz, Nursing Student
Today (Tue 5/19) was our second and last day at Sonja Kill Hospital. Many of us woke up to the sun’s rays peering through the “mountains of Kampot”; however, less than 12 hours before the break of dawn, we stood under the covering of the star-filled sky. Certainly, the most star-lit sky I have seen in my entire 21 years of existences. During our time here we have experienced, that from the moment when we wake up to the moment when we fall asleep, we are surrounded by Beauty. It is a beauty that goes beyond the word itself because it carries much more meaning than that. It carries comfort, peace, and humility. Surrounded by such beauty we are humbled to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Just by simply being on the hospital grounds we are in awe of the Creator of the Universe and feel a part of His continued work with humanity. We have the opportunity to partner with God’s heart, what He is doing, and what He has planned for Hope International (the organization that supports Sonja Kill Hospital). Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Rachel Finn, Nursing Student
Today (Mon 5/18) marks the end of the vacation part of our trip, and the beginning of the true work we set out for! Today is our first day at Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital, which is located in Kampot, Cambodia!
They are a charity hospital whose goal is to give affordable healthcare to patients in need. Payment of services is strictly based upon the patient’s ability to pay; the poor get treated for free while the ones who can afford it pay a fee. It is staffed mostly by Cambodians; however, many doctors and nurses come from abroad to work and help train the staff. Our, us Belmont people’s, main mission for this stop is to help further educate the doctors and nurses here, treat some patients, and help in anyway the hospital needs. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Aly Webb, Nursing Student
I plopped down, out of breath and sweaty, in the front seat of a friend’s car. It was 5:45 am on the dot. I’m late. I look at my buddy Evan, my right hand man for this kind of stuff, as he turns on the car. It’s clear he knows me too well when he immediately recognizes my visible stress, “Come on Aly Webb, I got this. I can get you to the airport in ten minutes. Tops.” I give him a disbelieving raised eyebrow.
As he makes a right turn onto the interstate I freak out, “Dude! The airport’s that way!” He tries to not laugh at my obvious lack of confidence in his sense of direction. “Aly Webb… I got this.”
I, of course, am still not convinced and attempt to slyly look up directions to the airport. Continue reading →
(L to R): Dr. Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld (Occupational Therapy), Dr. Leslie J. Higgins (Nursing), Dr. Beth Hallmark (Nursing), Dr. Cathy Taylor (Nursing), Dr. Erin Shankel (Nursing), Dr. Renee Brown (Physical Therapy)
Dr. Cathy Taylor, Dean of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing, was recently honored as one of Nashville Medical News’s 2015 Women to Watch. For the 10th year, Nashville Medical News has profiled a group of women in Middle Tennessee who are making a difference in the health care landscape of Nashville, Tennessee or beyond through their work as clinicians, public health officials, advocates, administrators, association executives or professionals.
Taylor has served as Dean of the College of Health Sciences since 2012. She came to Belmont from the Tennessee Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Service Administration where she was assistant commissioner. Before that, she was an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Nursing School of Nursing and the director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance Disease Management Program. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Kate Withrow, Physical Therapy Student
This morning we attended church at the Phnom Penh Church of Christ. What an experience! As soon as we walked in the door we were greeted with open arms and friendly faces. We found our seats next to the English translator, which was key, and service shortly started thereafter. Let me just tell you, these people are on fire for the Lord. The music was full of energy and life and it truly felt like the God we were praising was in our midst.
The passion in that room brought me to tears. A phrase that stuck out to me from the sermon seemed so appropriate for the occasion; He said following Jesus allows us to fellowship as one body, regardless of nationality. How great is it that we are all gathered together, different cultures and nationalities, under one roof praising the same God:
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Sarah Hodge, Nursing Student
Our days are starting to run together although we have been here just a couple of days. Today, however, will be stuck in our minds for weeks and years to come. We had the opportunity to visit the Killing Fields.
The Killing Fields represent the massive genocide that happened between the years 1975 to 1979. Millions of innocent Cambodians were brutally murdered during this regime. The Killing Fields pay respect to the many that died. Graves and bones are on display, many which are in the monument that was constructed to house skulls and bones of the victims. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Cambodia
by Dani Cichon, Nursing Student
Our first experience with the “Russian Market” can only be described as… overwhelming. Overwhelming in the way of smells (some delicious, some too bad to even put into words), colors, shouts of “Miss, you want something? You want something?”, feelings of anxiety when struggling to bargain…just overwhelming. But the good, this-is-so-different-but-awesome kind of overwhelming! Plus, Dr. Taplin knew the places to go, and hooked us up with “the silk lady,” “the silver lady,” and “the gold lady.” It’s safe say that most of us had a lot less money and space in our carry-on bags afterwards. But who can resist a silk scarf being sold for $2? After a few hours there, we headed back to the hotel to prepare medical supplies that would be taken to Sonja Kill hospital in Kampot. Later, we went to a Khmer restaurant and feasted on dishes such as fish amok, striped snakehead, and fried ice cream. With the sounds of Chapey music playing in the background (traditional Khmer dance/ceremony music) and the help of a makeshift crown and corsage made out of balloons, we also celebrated Sarah Hintz’s twenty-first birthday there.
The night finished with many group members receiving well-earned massages, and the rest getting what was probably our first full night of sleep since before the trip began.
Study Abroad in Cambodia by Cassie Scott, Nursing Student
To begin this adventure, we started our day having Dr. Taplin and Mrs. Morse show us around Phnomh Penh which is where we will be living out of the majority of our trip. It also gave us our first dose of what the Cambodian heat would do to us. We got to see such sights such as the Royal Palace, the Tonle Sap river, and many of the surrounding stores. This was also our first dose of the Cambodian culture and interactions with the Khmer people. We happened to arrive during a national holiday, the King’s birthday which meant that most of the city was in celebration mode. We passed by the Prime Minister’s motor escort twice during our city tour. We took our first tuk tuk ride back from this walking tour which was an adventure. That was nerve wracking since Cambodian traffic has no rules and you feel as if everything is going to hit you, but overall a great experience. It’s a good way to watch the people interact in the city while getting a nice breeze to cool you off for a few minutes. Continue reading →
Study Abroad in Geneva, Switzerland fromDr. Ruby Dunlap, School of Nursing
We had a spectacular day in Chamonix and the French Alps today. After spending a couple of hours at the local farmer’s market, we took a cable car up to Aiguille de Midi, the highest ride in Chamonix. The weather was mostly brilliantly sunny with peaks sharply outlined against a blue sky as you can see from these pics but big clouds would move across and make everything foggy for awhile. Aiguille is 3842 meters high, roughly 11,526 feet.
Study Abroad in Geneva, Switzerland from Dr. Ruby Dunlap, Professor of Nursing
Seventeen Belmont students and 3 faculty members traveled to Geneva, Switzerland on Monday for the University’s fourth Geneva Study Abroad.
photo by Haley Flickinger Arriving in Switzerland.
We have done similar study abroad trips to Geneva in 2012, 2013, and 2014. We will be there three weeks, having all sorts of adventures, and visiting Geneva centers of culture, history, global organizations, and science. Our community health nursing course will focus on global health and health systems. The humanities course will focus on Jean Calvin, Rousseau, poets Shelley and Byron, and Frankenstein. The writing course will hone our writing skills, using our experiences in Geneva as material for different kinds of writing.
Here are the places we plan to visit this coming week: Geneva Museum of Art and History. While this museum has lots of exhibits, the one we are going to focus on is down in the basement. There are exhibits of Geneva’s prehistorical inhabitants including the skeleton of an individual who had been sacrificed.
Following that, we plan to visit the archeological dig underneath St. Pierre’s cathedral where the multiple layers of buildings on that site are explained.
Thursday is Ascension Day, an official holiday in Switzerland. Lots of shops and businesses will be closed that day.
Friday the nursing students will visit the International Council of Nurses (ICN) headquarters and hear about what is happening in the profession of nursing around the world.
Saturday is an all-day excursion to Chamonix and the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in the French Alps. We hope this page will be a place we can share pics and comments about our adventures and give our family and friends a place to comment, too!
