Category Archives: Inman College of Health Sciences

Mission to Guatemala: Day 5

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Mission to Guatemala
from Carolyn and Markus

A team of students, faculty and partners from Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy are ministering in Guatemala during Belmont’s spring break, the seventh year a team has traveled there.

Today we went to Magdalena Milpas Altas, Sacatepequez, to Karamion which is a center for children with disabilities. First we met with the directors, who are husband and wife, and learned all about the center. They started it on their own and gave up everything, including their home, in order to help children. They don’t have any support, but trust in God to provide.  It was great to see such an awesome demonstration of faith and obedience to God’s will. We split into groups to start therapy and worked with children with different types of disabilities: autism, torticollis, Down’s Syndrome, meningitis, and spina bifida. I worked with a little girl with spina bifida with the help of Jessica, PT and some more of the OT/PT team. We worked on prone lying, trunk extension and postural balance reactions on a therapy ball, and ball catching for stability and balance. Continue reading →

Mission to Haiti: Day 6

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Mission to Haiti
from Marie Peters, Robin Cobb & Robin Queen

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

Bonjour!

What a magical end to our Haitian journey….

We began the day with a traditional pumpkin soup, usually reserved for new years day. During slavery, the soup was reserved for wealthy land owners however after the revolution it became a symbol of the Hatian people’s independence. Our final clinic was in Nantiso, just a short ride from our bungalows along a river garden.  After leaving the trucks behind, we carried the clinic equipment by foot along a path through lush banana trees and fields planted with corn and green beans. After setting up shop in a local’s front yard, we began our assessments. After a week in this country, we all are feeling more comfortable with the process including communicating in our broken Creole. Over 60 patients were seen by lunch time including a seizure patient and a young woman with TB suffering from a throat cyst that prevented her from eating. We also saw the usual procession of stunning Hatian children and cherubic infants that steal our hearts on a daily basis.

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Mission to Guatemala: Day 4

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Mission to Guatemala
from Joe Muchmore

A team of students, faculty and partners from Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy are ministering in Guatemala during Belmont’s spring break, the seventh year a team has traveled there.

Another exciting day for Team Catalyst. After a two-hour scenic drive, we spent the day with the wonderful staff and children of the JT Children’s Foundation. The JT Children’s Foundation provides therapeutic services for children with disabilities and their families who reside in the Tecpan, Guatemala area. They preach the importance of a holistic approach to healing and this is evident in their practice. After learning about the organization, we had the privilege of watching a performance that was prepared through music therapy sessions with a group of children. The performers graciously invited us to join and we happily danced and laughed with our new friends. Continue reading →

Mission to Haiti: Day 5

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Mission to Haiti
from Cory Smeltzer, Rebecca Senn, Jordan Bennett and Sara Demaagd

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

We were once again blessed with a great day! Breakfast this morning consisted of boiled eggs, hotdogs, and our daily delicious cup of Haitian coffee. Then we traveled the familiar route to Siloe to pick up more supplies for today’s clinic.  Half of the group went up the mountain in the back of the truck, driven by our favorite driver, Johnson.  The other half of us stayed back at the pharmacy/school and were able to watch the children begin their school day, opening with the singing of “How Great Thou Art.”  We witnessed the punishment of kneeling on the pavement for the tardy students. Our trusty driver/translator drove the second half of the group back up the mountain without too many additional bumps and bruises.

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Mission to Guatemala: Day 3

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Mission to Guatemala
from Katie Hein and Julie Golden

A team of students, faculty and partners from Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy are ministering in Guatemala during Belmont’s spring break, the seventh year a team has traveled there.

Today was full of adventures! We visited 4 different loactions. In the morning we went to the Children’s Rehab Hospital and the Guatemala Association for People with Down’s Syndrome.  Then in the afternoon we went to Hope for Tomorrow/Nutrition Center and Las Conchas.

The Children’s Rehab Hospital Day 2- We met little Carlos, Kenneth and his wife to have little Carlos casted for AFO’s. Meanwhile, the rest of us participated in the morning therapy sessions (OT/FT- fisotherapy (PT)). The Guatemalan FT’s asked us for help with an exercise program for Christopher, one of the boys who suffered from Meningitis and is extremely weak. The only thing they have done for him in the past month is have him on tilting board to have him in a vertical position for 30 min. Lisa and Jessica (DPTs) evaluated his lower extremity and trunk strength, range of motion, and vestibular-occular system. He was getting bored with laying down, so  we sat him up to work on strengthening and postural control.  He was automatically happier and willingly participated in the activities.

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Mission to Haiti: Day 4

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Mission to Haiti
from Katelyn Walker, Rebecca Senn and Sarah Demaagd

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

After yesterday, today doesn’t seem as adventurous. Unfortunately we weren’t able to take the truck to their village because Hurricane Sandy washed out the road. The few people (about 20) who did come to our clinic walked over an hour and were very grateful for our care and attention. Again, we saw a variety of ages from children to older adults, and even a pregnant woman.  Afterwards, we walked down the mountain to see a special patient who suffers with heart failure whom Jenny has personally treated at her home for the past year due to the severity of her illness.  The walk was definitely a nice break from the bumpy rides, and it also gave us a chance to view the beautiful, mountainous scenery.

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Mission to Guatemala: Day 2

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Mission to Guatemala
from Darcy King

A team of students, faculty and partners from Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy are ministering in Guatemala during Belmont’s spring break, the seventh year a team has traveled there.

In order to beat rush hour traffic our group got an early start with breakfast at 7:00a.m.  Even though we thought we had an early start, we know that the Shalom Foundation staff were hard at work long before we got out of bed.  Today was the first day we experienced the weather we had been anticipating.  The sun was out in full force and many of us got a little more than our fair share.  Our first destination for the day was a children’s rehab hospital.  The hospital staff gave us a tour of the facility and then we broke up into our respective professions to participate in therapy sessions.  We had the unique opportunity to collaborate with the OTs and PTs at this rehab center in order to exchange ideas and share information.  This was a humbling learning experience for clinicians and students alike.  During the OT sessions we observed how they conducted group therapy sessions, learned about how they taught families to make piñatas to be sold as a source of income, and had the opportunity to work one on one with many of the children.

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Mission to Haiti: Day 3

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Mission to Haiti
from Emily Morse, Robin Cobb and Cory Smeltzer

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get out of the way of our Tap Tap!

Today was an adventure, to say the least! We started the day with a pasta-salad-with-mystery-meat breakfast and freshly squeezed orange juice. (A clarification on the meat from yesterday’s lunch – We found out some people had beef, some people had chicken, and some had goat!)

We left the compound bright and early and picked up supplies where we met our tap tap driver. When we told some girls on the street that what our plan for the day included, they couldn’t stop laughing. We didn’t realize what was in store. The tap tap was a 1980’s model Nissan pick up with benches in the back and a low ceiling camper top… and it should be mentioned not many Haitian vehicles have special Mountain Climbing tires!

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Mission to Haiti: Day 2

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Mission to Haiti
from Robin Queen, Rebecca Senn and Marie Peters

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

Today we woke up to a little more overcast and cloudy day, although it was still warm and beautiful.  In fact , it was a relief to have it be a bit cooler.  We started this morning with a more traditional American breakfast of cereal–no exciting Haitian spaghetti today! Then we gathered our stuff for the day and walked from the bungalows, parading through the town of Grand Goave to the Siloe campus for the dedication of the Grand Goave Baptist Church.

We stood to the side as the church congregation lined up outside and the choir sung just before the ribbon cutting. Although everything was spoken in Creole we recognized  some of the readings and some of the songs. This community of people have so much joy and expression when they sing.  It is contagious. Then, we processed into the church and were invited to sit in the very front pew! The church was incredibly gracious and grateful. The service was conducted with a translator throughout so we were able to participate. They even provided us with hymnals so that we could sing the Creole songs. We were able to hear two groups of young Haitians from different churches perform for us.

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Mission to Guatemala: Day 1

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Mission to Guatemala
from Lisa Haack

A team of students, faculty and partners from Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy are ministering in Guatemala during Belmont’s spring break, the seventh year a team has traveled there.

All three flights came into Guatemala without problems Saturday.  Much to our surprise everyone “passed” immigration and no pat-downs were required.  Guatemala welcomed us with weather that reminded us of home…45 degrees and windy!  Burr!!!  In contrast, the reception was warm and we all settled into our rooms.  We were grateful for the amenities including flushable toilets and a warm shower.  It was a restful sleep with an occasional celebratory fireworks launched from near-by. 😉

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Mission to Haiti: Day 1

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Mission to Haiti
from Jordan Bennett, Cory Smeltzer and Sara Demaagd

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

Hello all! What an incredible first full day in Grand Goave, Haiti!  Our day was as full and busy as it was hot.  We began with a traditional Haitian breakfast: spaghetti! It was actually quite delicious, we are considering bringing this tradition home to the states.  After breakfast we got to ride in the back of a pick up truck through the little town of Grand Goave to the Siloe school and church.

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Mission to Haiti: We have arrived

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Mission to Haiti
from Katelyn Walker

A team of students and faculty from Belmont University School of Nursing is ministering in Haiti during Belmont’s Spring Break.  This is the second year a team has traveled there.

After some delay in Miami, we finally arrived with no problems a little after 1 p.m.  The journey to our destination was definitely an experience to say the least.  We were able to see much of Port Au Prince and many of the towns on the way to Grand Guave.  We are settled in and had a wonderful dinner with our hosts.  Tomorrow, Saturday, we are looking forward to helping out at the pharmacy and organizing meds for our upcoming days at our mobile clinics.

P.S. The caribbean is gorgeous, but the bugs definitely are not.

From your friends and family in Haiti!!!  We will update as we can, hopefully every evening.

Belmont University Expands Doctoral Program for Nurses

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Belmont University School of Nursing has announced an expansion of its degree program for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to support national efforts to increase the number of nurse professionals prepared for advanced practice and leadership in the healthcare industry.   The School is now accepting applications for fall enrollment to a BSN-to-DNP program which provides a direct pathway to the doctoral degree for registered nurses (RN’s) who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).   The new program will prepare students for advanced practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) following three years of full-time study offered in a format friendly to working professionals.

Nursing has joined many other health professions, such as medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology and dentistry, to establish a practice doctorate following completion of the bachelor’s degree.  Many national studies and reports have led nursing accrediting bodies to move toward this degree to help meet the demands created by the increasing complexities of health care, serious concerns with safety and quality in patient care, and the changing landscape of healthcare reform.

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Pharmacy and Nursing students volunteer at Project Homeless Connect

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Nursing students assisted with health screenings provided by the Mental Health Cooperative.

Students and faculty from Belmont University College of Pharmacy and School of Nursing recently volunteered to assist with the fifth annual Project Homeless Connect.

Nearly 20 nursing students participated in the event, assisting with health screenings provided by the Mental Health Cooperative, a clinical partner of Belmont University School of Nursing.   Two adjunct faculty members, Joyce Alexander and Diane Maynard, also volunteered their time.

In addition, 25 pharmacy students volunteered through Belmont’s chapters of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Academy of Student Pharmacists, providing blood pressure, heart rate and Body Mass Index screenings for 60 people.

Sponsored by the Metropolitan Nashville Homelessness Commission, the one-day, one-stop event included access to a broad range of services, including medical and foot care, legal services, employment assistance, pet care, food, toiletries and more.   More than 5,100 people have been helped since Project Homeless Connect started in Nashville in 2008.

Pharmacy students provided blood pressure, heart rate and Body Mass Index screenings.

Faculty and Students from School of Physical Therapy Present at APTA Conference

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Stacey Lindsley, third year doctoral student in the School of Physical Therapy, explains her poster to a Belmont PT alumni Lauren LaCourse.

Faculty and students from Belmont University School of Physical Therapy recently participated in the annual Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) held in San Diego, CA.

Dr. Mike Voight was one of the presenters for a 2-day pre-conference course focusing on injury assessment and management in golf.  Approximately 100 clinicians from around the world were in attendance.  During the conference, Dr. Voight presented the sections research award in his role as Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy and was roasted as a past president of the sports physical therapy section in conjunction with the section’s 40th anniversary celebration.

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Belmont Social Work alumn is contestant on American Idol

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It’s not unusual to find a contestant on Fox’s American Idol with ties to Belmont University.  What is a bit unique is when that contestant is a graduate of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing.

Jimmy Smith received his Bachelor’s of Social Work from Belmont University in 2010 with honors.  As a student, he was inducted into the national social work honors society, Phi Alpha, received the Social Work Department’s Rising Star Award, and provided leadership and support for his peers while serving two terms as President of the Social Work Club.  With his BSW from Belmont’s accredited social work program, he gained advanced standing in the University of Tennessee’s Master of Science program in Social Work, completing his degree in just one year.  From there, he took a position with Dialysis Clinic in Lebanon, Tennessee where he works with dialysis patients coordinating care and advocating for policy that impacts patient access to service and overall quality of life.

Jimmy is also a very talented singer, songwriter, and musician. You can see him compete in this season’s American Idol.  He recently was selected from auditions in Charlotte to move on to the show’s next round in Hollywood.

OT Advisory Board Member named Person of the Year

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Photo by Rutherford Photography

New Mobility magazine, a national publication that encourages the integration of active-lifestyle wheelchair users into mainstream society, has named newly-elected Tennessee State Representative Darren Jernigan as its Person of the Year.   Jernigan serves on the Advisory Board for the Belmont University School of Occupational Therapy.

In November, Jernigan defeated incumbent state representative Jim Gotto for a seat in the Tennessee state legislature.   Since 2007 he has been a Nashville city councilman, winning re-election in 2011 with 77 percent of the vote.  Jernigan is employed as director of government affairs at Permobil, Inc., an international company with its USA Corporate Offices in Lebanon, Tennessee.  Permobil develops and manufactures powered wheelchairs and transport and communication systems for people with functional disabilities.

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Nursing Professor honored as Middle Tennessee Nurse of the Year for Education

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Dr. Debra Wollaber, Professor of Nursing at Belmont, is one of 16 Middle Tennessee nurses honored recently as 2012 Nurse of the Year by the March of Dimes regional chapter.   Dr. Wollaber received the award for education to entry level nurses.  Each year, the March of Dimes recognizes outstanding nurses in a number of areas within clinical nursing, administrative nursing, research nursing and nursing education.  Nurse educators are nominated for their efforts towards the education of future nursing professionals either at the entry level or at the graduate level.

“We are so happy for Debra to be recognized in this way,” said Dr. Martha Buckner, Associate Dean of Nursing in the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing.  “Many of us at Belmont have been impacted by her leadership and mentorship.”

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Belmont University School of Nursing celebrates 40th Anniversary

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Students practice intravenous therapy in a Belmont School of Nursing classroom during the 1987-1988 school year.

The College of Health Sciences & Nursing celebrated the 40th anniversary of Belmont’s nursing program this fall. Since its inception, Belmont’s program has produced more than 2,000 skilled nurses who have served patients throughout the United States and around the world.

“This is an exciting time for nursing and especially for nursing at Belmont,” said College of Health Sciences & Nursing Dean Cathy R. Taylor. “Belmont nurses have always been known as leaders, highly respected for their skill and patient-centered focus. Today, they are increasingly recognized as innovators and change agents for improving health care quality, access and value. We are indeed honored to celebrate and build upon such a remarkable legacy of excellence to meet the health care challenges ahead.”
Associate Dean of Nursing Martha Buckner said, “We are so pleased to be celebrating this milestone in Belmont’s history. Our graduates have forged a tremendous reputation for this program. They are caring professional nurses whose practice is characterized by clinical excellence and compassion. We are proud of our heritage and excited about our future.”

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OT Professor presents in Singapore at Ablities Expo

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Dr Plummer assisting a young man with cerebral palsy to sit in a wheelchair. This is his first time out of his home in 35 years.

Dr. Teresa Plummer, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, traveled recently to Singapore where she was one of eleven presenters at the inaugural Abilities Expo in that country.   The event attracted nearly 1500 people including those with disabilities, their families and caregivers from countries throughout the Far East.   The three-day event featured workshops, a sports carnival, and exhibits dedicated to providing solutions to enhance quality of life for the disabled.

Dr. Plummer presented three scheduled workshops during the Expo, including a session on aging, another on the U.S. model of occupational therapy, and a third on wheelchair seating assessment and prescription that was presented in collaboration with Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists.  Dr. Plummer was also asked to conduct a workshop for OT professionals in attendance.

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President of Tennessee Hospital Association Discusses Future of Healthcare

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Craig Becker, president of the Tennessee Hospital Association, spoke recently to Belmont faculty and students about the future of the healthcare industry, focusing his remarks on the new changes that will be brought about by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

While he realizes that the healthcare industry is about to undergo radical change, he does not fear those changes. “I really am an optimist,” he stated. “And I’m invigorated by chaos. Chaos brings change.”

In the past, he argued that the existing system was not perfect, that there were quality of care issues. The new legislation will force the industry to address these issues sooner rather than later. “Hospitals will be forced to look outside of their four walls.”

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Belmont PT students once again help coordinate Dierks Bentley’s Miles & Music for Kids

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Once again this fall, students from Belmont University School of Physical Therapy assisted with the annual Dierks Bentley Miles and Music for Kids motorcycle ride and concert to benefit Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.   Since its inception seven years ago, Belmont PT students have served as the event’s volunteer staff and this year was no different.  Over 70 PT students participated.

“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,” said Bentley.  “The Belmont students have been integral to the success of this event from the inaugural ride seven years ago to its current size.  I always look forward to working with them.”

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Belmont PT students help coordinate Nashville’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

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Once again this year, physical therapy students from Belmont University helped coordinate Nashville’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  Over 100 student volunteers assisted with course set-up and take-down, served as course marshals throughout the course including the start/finish line, provided water at course stations, and handled crowd management.  The event drew over 26,000 participants and spectators on a cold and rainy Saturday in late October.  The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is a nationwide effort to raise funds to help end breast cancer forever.

Dr. Michael Voight, professor of physical therapy at Belmont, was co-chairman of this year’s Nashville Komen Race.  Dr. Voight is a longtime supporter of the organization and for years has brought PT students to help coordinate the annual race.  Voight says, “I chose to support Komen because 75 percent of every dollar raised in the region stays in Middle Tennessee and provides grants to other area non‐profits.  These local organizations are working on the front lines to battle breast cancer, educating all of us on the value of early detection and promoting awareness to low‐income and non‐insured individuals.  To date Komen Greater Nashville has provided more than $3 million in screening, treatment and educational services to the women of Middle Tennessee.” Continue reading →

Belmont Nursing Students Recognized for Achievement in Army ROTC Program

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Two Belmont University nursing students participating in Vanderbilt’s Army ROTC program recently received two of the highest cadet rankings in the nation.  Their rankings are based on their total experience as cadets, to include academics, performance at strategic camps, leadership ability and more.

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Barfield is the second-ranked nurse in the nation. She was the cadet battalion commander, the senior ranking cadet in the program, for the 2011-2012 academic school year.  Cadet Captain Jessica Sanders is the twelfth-ranked nurse in the nation. She holds the position of Assistant Tactical Officer and is charged with the evaluation of junior cadets in the program.  Both cadets also ranked very high on the overall National Order of Merit List, which ranks cadets from all schools and all majors.  This year, the list was comprised of more than 5,500 cadets.

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Occupational Therapy faculty and students present safe transportation workshop

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Faculty and students from the Belmont University School of Occupational Therapy recently presented a workshop for community volunteers on providing safe transportation and door-through-door support to elder citizens.  Working in collaboration with the Greater Nashville Council on Aging, Dr. Debra Gibbs, Dr. Teresa Plummer and six second-year students in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program conducted the workshop at the North Nashville Police Precinct.   About 25 local volunteers attended.   Student presenters included Brittni Thompson, Carrie Beth Henson, LaRae Murray, Danielle Paulsen, Rebecca Lynn and Kelly Dennison.
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