Category Archives: Inman College of Health Sciences

Dr. Voight Presents at American Physical Therapy Association Combined Meeting

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Recently, Dr. Mike Voight from the School of Physical Therapy gave a keynote presentation at the annual Combined Sections Meeting for the American Physical Therapy Association held in Washington DC. Several hundred people were in attendance to learn how to get your scientific research published.

The presentation looked at the peer review process through the eyes of a reviewer which gave the audience a glimpse into the scenes of evaluating a manuscript. In turn, this could help scholars submit better qualified manuscripts for publication.

College of Health Sciences and College of Pharmacy Hosts Inter-Professional Events

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More than 200 first year graduate students in the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy participated in an inter-professional seminar focused on understanding the roles and responsibilities of each discipline as part of an inter-professional team to maximize patient outcomes. As part of this event, students worked on teams to create the tallest structure they could using spaghetti, string, tape and a marshmallow.

Approximately 190 second year graduate students from the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy also participated in an inter-professional seminar which explored the importance of communication and the risk of medical errors when there is miscommunication. These inter-professional events enable students to learn from and with students from other disciplines who will be their professional colleagues when they graduate.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Disseminate Research Findings

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Belmont’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Class of 2019 students recently completed and disseminated their research findings with a poster presentation in the lobby of McWhorter on November 6 and a formal platform presentation in Janet Ayers Academic Center on November 13.

Several student research groups had their research accepted for a platform presentation or poster presentation at a national level conference for physical therapists, Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), which will be held in Washington D.C. in January 2019.

 

Dr. Kathy Galloway, PT, DSc, ECS and her student research group will be presenting the following 2 platform presentations at CSM:

  • Superficial to deep fibular sensory nerve communication in the foot: Samantha Cook, SPT, Royale Lopez, SPT, Colleen Manning, SPT, Jessie Mills, SPT, Ashley Thomas, SPT, Kathleen Galloway, PT, DSc, ECS
  • Normal values for deep fibular nerve musculoskeletal ultrasound and deep fibular sensory nerve conduction: Samantha Cook, SPT, Royale Lopez, SPT, Colleen Manning, SPT, Jessie Mills, SPT, Ashley Thomas, SPT, Kathleen Galloway, PT, DSc, ECS

Dr. Kevin Robinson, PT, Dsc, OCS and his student research group will be presenting the following 2 poster presentations at CSM:

  • The Use of Proximal Hip Strength and Kinematic Motion to Identify Dancers at Risk for Lower Extremity Injury: Eric Bengtson SPT, MA, ATC, Kristyn Harris SPT, Meredith Massengale SPT, Ross Gentry SPT, Kevin Robinson PT, DSc, OCS
  • Investigation of an Eight-week Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Biomechanical Parameters of the Lower Quarter in Collegiate Pivoting Athletes: Craig Parker, PT, DPT, Kevin Robinson, PT, DSc, Tyler Hoek, SPT, Tiffany Bennett, SPT, Sheyenne Turk, SPT, Zach Petrosky, SPT, Pat Sells, DA

Dr. Christi Williams, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT and her student research group had their research accepted for publication:

  • An Animal-Assisted Intervention’s Influence on Graduate Students’ Stress and Anxiety Priot to an Examination in Open Access Library Journal: Williams C, Emond K, Maynord K, Simpkins J, Stumbo A, Terhaar T. Click here for access.

Research topics at the Belmont University Symposium included:

  • Examination of Pediatric Balance Scale, 2nd Edition (PBS-II) Performance in Children with Down Syndrome: Student researchers Maria Drake SPT, Amy Marple SPT, Cassie Mosher SPT, Macey Thornburg SPT and faculty mentors Nancy Darr PT, DSc, NCS
  • Accuracy of Heart Rate Monitoring in Apple and Garmin Watches: Student researchers Brittany Gooch SPT, CSCS, Mackenzie Jones SPT, Maura McAfee SPT , Kaylie Shingleton SPT and faculty mentor Suzanne Greenwalt PT, DPT, CCS, GCS
  • The Effect of Direct Sensory Electrical Stimulation of the Ham-string Muscles on Hamstring Extensibility: Student researchers Nathan Dyer SPT, Elie Hsu SPT, Nichole Raaf SPT, Lauren Estes SPT, Courtney Vick SPT and faculty mentor Cathy Hinton PT, PhD
  • Does using electromyography feedback improve physical therapy students’ dry needling accuracy when asked to dry needle specific muscles?: Student researchers Kendall Knisley SPT, Russell Cook SPT, Dakota Herren SPT, Michelle Klontz SPT, Spencer Petett SPT and faculty mentor John Halle PT, PhD, ECS
  • Acute Effects of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) on Physiological Variables During Low Intensity Treadmill Walking: Student researchers Justin Avila SPT, Chase Batty SPT, Clay Henson SPT, Lindsay Jackson SPT, Kara Mae Sheft SPT and faculty mentor Patrick Sells DA
  • Investigation of an Eight-Week Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Biomechanical Parameters of the Lower Quarter in Collegiate Pivoting Athletes: Student researchers Tyler Hoek SPT, Tiffany Bennett SPT, Sheyenne Turk SPT, Zach Petrosky SPT and Faculty mentors Craig Parker PT, DPT, Kevin Robinson PT, DSc, OCS and Patrick Sells DA, John Halle PT, PhD, ECS
  • Hip Rotational Range of Motion and Driving Distance in PGA Tour Golfers: Student researchers Clint Lester SPT, Jack Davis SPT, Shelby Smith SPT, Ryan Tapp SPT and faculty mentor Mike Voight PT, DHSc, SCS, OCS, ATC, CSCS, FAPTA

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Occupational Therapy Students Named to Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association Board

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Three Master’s of Occupational Therapy students were recently added to the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Board including Whitney Joy, Megan Colletti and Kaylin Flamm. Joy was named as the West District Chair, Colletti was named as the East District Chair and Flamm was named as the Mental Health Chair.

Dr. Voight Presents at 2018 Orthopaedic Summit

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Dr. Mike Voight, professor in the School of Physical Therapy, recently gave four invited presentations about the hip at the 2018 Orthopaedic Summit, a prestigious meeting for Orthopaedic Surgeons with a distinguished faculty from around the world.

More than 1,800 surgeons and health care providers attended the meeting, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PT/OT Professor Hosts Musical Fundraiser for Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee

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Professor of Occupational and Physical Therapy Dr. Natalie Michaels recently organized a musical fundraiser at the Hotel Preston to support the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee. Michaels hosts the event twice a year, and this year, she performed her own music and songs from Whitney Houston to Portugal the Man.

The event also featured Thomas Ebner from the Physical Therapy Department and Emily Hines. Belmont occupational therapy students Roya Rezadoost, Danielle Stelbaskey, Molly Schneider-Adams and Kayla Kennedy were also there to sing a few songs.

“It’s always wonderful to have our talented Belmont Students participate,” said Michaels. “Other performing musicians included Jim Martin, Rick Michaels, Max Hulan, and Paul Hulan. It was another fun night of music and dancing, all for a great cause.”

Nursing Student Receives 2018 CASA Light of Hope Award

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Hailey Brooks, a junior nursing student at Belmont, recently received the 2018 CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) Light of Hope Award which honors those who have been “lights of hope” to children and youth in the community through advocacy and making a difference.

Brooks grew up in East Tennessee and entered foster care at the age of 15. She serves as a member of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth where she was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam.

Involved in other foster care advocacy positions for years, Brooks has served as a Youth Villages peer advocate and as part of the Department of Children’s Services Children’s Advisory Council. She is also a Jim Casey Fellow and the youngest thus far to be given the role.

Brooks is committed to spreading light on both the good and the bad areas of foster care and making positive changes in the system, particularly by increasing foster youth college attendance.

Vanden Noven Presents at 2018 Lilly Conference

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Belmont University was, again, well-represented at the 2018 Lilly Conference on College Teaching held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio earlier this month. Eight Belmont faculty participants from religion, media studies, biology, English, psychological science, sport science and the Teaching Center attended the event.

Dr. Marnie Vanden Noven provided an encore presentation version of “The Elephant in the Classroom: Addressing Sensitive Topics With Skill and Courage” which she initially developed with Julie Hunt (social work) for the 2017 Lilly Conference. She explored the teacher’s role in fostering an environment where students are included and feel safe to discuss potentially taboo topics in meaningful, productive and transformative ways.

Dr. Murabito Receives Tennessee Nurses Association Award for Nursing Excellence

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Dr. Sandy Murabito, undergraduate program director and assistant professor of nursing, was recently given the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) Award for Nursing Excellence at their annual meeting in Murfreesboro. The award recognizes a member of TNA who demonstrates outstanding performance in nursing practice, nursing education, advance practice nursing, nursing research or nursing administration by promoting and maintaining excellence in professional practice, a commitment to the nursing profession and TNA, contributing to professional development of other nurses, leadership which improves the quality of nursing care and professional and community service.

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Belmont Students Share March of Dimes “Nursing Student of the Year” Recognition

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Two Belmont nursing students, graduate student Jaanki Bhakta and undergraduate student Grace Waters, received March of Dimes Nursing Student of the Year Awards at the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Banquet held on Belmont’s campus today.
Bhakta, a BSN-DNP student, is a member of the Graduate Affairs Committee and serves as a program recruitment volunteer where she organized a student panel to answer prospective student questions. While on campus, she has been very engaged throughout the program as she has organized tutor/study groups and has volunteered for the Patient Design Challenge. In the community, she serves as a volunteer for Room in the Inn and The Next Door.

Waters is the past president of SNA, the Student Nurses Association, a peer tutor and a Bruin Recruiter. Additionally, she serves on the College of Health Sciences and Nursing’s Dean’s Student Advisory Council, is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and serves on the Sisterhood Committee and is an active member of The Village Chapel. She has also traveled to China where she participated in a mission trip and studied abroad in Geneva.

Associate Dean of Nursing Dr. Martha Buckner said, “Both of these students are true leaders in and out of the classroom. We are so proud of their accomplishments.”

Physical Therapy Students Volunteer for Garrett’s Hero Run

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The Belmont University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students volunteered for Garrett’s Hero Run, a 5K event held each year to raise money and awareness to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Each year the students travel to Columbia, TN to participate in and volunteer at the run to support a member of the ‘Belmont PT Family’, a 2005 graduate of the program, Amber Sapp.

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Nursing Students Serve in the National Driver Appreciation Week

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Belmont undergraduate nursing students recently served in the National Driver Appreciation Week held by Averitt Express Trucking Company in Nashville.

Assistant Nursing Professor Abbey Holthaus led a group of 28 students to provide free blood pressure screenings to participants. This service learning opportunity is the first time the nursing department has sent students out in the community early in the program to hone their nursing and communication skills.

“Safety regulations require truckers to maintain a healthy blood pressure,” said Holthaus. “Our students were able to provide a meaningful service while honing their skills as new nursing students.”

Belmont Hosts Health and Well-Being Fair

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Student talks with community vendor at Health and Well-being fair

Belmont University recently hosted its first Health and Well-being Fair, an event sponsored by the University’s Be Well BU initiative to promote a health and well-balanced lifestyle throughout the Belmont community. The fair showcased over 40 organizations focused on sharing information about a variety of topics with students, faculty and staff in attendance. Continue reading →

Physical Therapy Students Volunteer for Sara Walker Run

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Earlier this semester, Belmont University Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students volunteered at the annual Sara Walker Run to honor a 2003 Belmont DPT alumna Sara Pigg Walker. The Sara Walker Run is a fundraising event to raise money for various missions supported through the Sara Walker Foundation that are intended to help spread Sara’s message of hope to others through Jesus Christ.

Sara’s Story
Sara was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in January 2011, on her 33rd birthday. After 16 rounds of chemotherapy and three clinical research trials, Sara’s earthly struggle with cancer ended in August of 2012, at the age of 34. Continue reading →

Physical Therapy Students Awarded Annual Sara Pigg Walker Scholarships

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The Belmont University School of Physical Therapy (PT) and the Sara Walker Foundation have awarded the annual Sara Pigg Walker Physical Therapy Scholarship to this year’s recipients Kara Mae Sheft and Meredith Massengale.

Sara Pigg Walker, PT, DPT (’03) was a friend, Belmont PT classmate, alumnus and professional who passed away at a young age, but whose memory and legacy continues to inspire. The Sarah Pigg Walker Endowed Scholarship was established to honor her memory and legacy and is awarded to the rising 3rd year student(s) who demonstrate strengths in leadership, scholarship, service and clinical performance.

Pictured above: Massengale, Dinah Pigg Hall, who is Sara’s sister and a fellow Belmont PT alumna, and Kara Mae Sheft

Dr. Voight Inducted into Titleist Performance Hall of Fame

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Dr. Mike Voight, professor of physical therapy, was recently inducted into the inaugural Titleist Golf Performance Institute Hall of Fame class. He was recognized for his lifetime of being a leader in both promoting the game of golf and helping PGA Tour players reach their highest level of performance.

Specifically, it was noted that Voight has been a worldwide leader in the development of testing algorithms in order to detect impairments and build treatment programs.

Nursing Alumna Featured for Cardiac Work

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Melissa Moore, a 2006 nursing graduate from Belmont, was recently featured in an article for her work with cardiac services as an Outreach Coordinator for Advanced Cardiac Therapies at UCLA Health. In the article, Moore details the work her team is doing to expand their services to additional communities throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding area to ensure specialized care is convenient and accessible.

“We’re partnering with local cardiologists and primary care physicians to provide comprehensive services to patients closer to where they live and work,” she says.

The article goes on to detail Moore’s team’s work on heart failure treatment as more and more Americans continue to battle these diagnoses. According to the American Heart Association, the number of Americans who suffer from heart failure, an estimated 6.5 million, is expected to rise by 46 percent by 2030.

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts 2018 Class at Luncheon and Ceremony

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Event efforts collectively raise more than $1 million for student support

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inducted its 2018 class, made up of seven health care legends from across the state, at a luncheon and ceremony in Belmont’s Curb Event today. Hosted by Partner at DVL Seigenthaler John Seigenthaler, Jr., the Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor the pioneers and current leaders that have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals. Continue reading →

Dr. Campbell & Dr. Voight Present at International Society for Hip Arthroscopy and Preservation

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During the recent annual congress of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy and Hip Preservation held in Melbourne Australia, Belmont University School of Physical Therapy Adjunct Instructor Dr. Ashley Campbell along with Professor Dr. Mike Voight showcased a research poster presentation.

Attended by over 600 surgeons from around the world, the annual ISHA congress brings together the world’s best professionals who assess and treat hip injuries. During the closing ceremonies, ISHA President Dr. Chuck Cakic from South Africa and Dr. John O’Donnell from Australia recognized Campbell as having the best physical therapy research poster.

Dr. Voight Speaks at International Society of Hip Arthroscopy Annual Congress

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Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Mike Voight recently spoke at the International Society of Hip Arthroscopy annual congress held in Melbourne, Australia. Serving as co-chair of the physical therapy programming, Voight was also invited to serve as an invited lecturer at the event.

Throughout the four-day congress, he gave several presentations on the management of hip injuries and on the emerging use of orthobiologics. In addition to invited presentations, Voight had two research platform presentations accepted for presentation. Attended by over 600 surgeons from around the world, the annual ISHA congress brings together the world’s best professionals who assess and treat hip injuries.

Belmont Physical Therapy Student Completes Clinical Experience in Peru

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Recent 2018 Belmont Doctorate of Physical Therapy graduate Alicia Bowden completed a unique experience while in school when she traveled to Arequipa, Peru for one of her clinicals. While there, she worked with “Work the World,” an organization that coordinates international clinical internships tailored to a variety of healthcare backgrounds. With the help of Gail Bursch, associate professor of physical therapy & director of clinical education, Bowden was placed in the physiotherapy department at Hospital Goyeneche, one of the oldest and most respected medical institutions in southern Peru, where she spent six weeks working in acute and outpatient care.

This true Spanish immersion clinical experience was fast-paced, challenging and very rewarding.  “Working in the hospital was a bit of a culture shock at first,” she said, “but by the end of my placement, I truly felt that I had become part of the team.” Continue reading →

School of Nursing names Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars

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Belmont University recently announced the inaugural group of the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship recipients, a gift given to six students from the College of Health Sciences and Nursing. These six nursing students will participate in 32 hours of community service and will participate in high-impact leadership development in both curricular and co-curricular spaces through the University’s new Office of Leadership Development.

Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans was a generous philanthropist and accomplished businesswoman. She was the wife of Joseph B. Whitehead, one of the original bottlers of Coca-Cola. At his death, she assumed management of his business affairs, establishing the Whitehead Holding Company and the Whitehead Realty Company and leading the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Atlanta. She also became one of the first female directors of any major U.S. corporation when she was appointed to the board of The Coca-Cola Company in 1934, a position she held for nearly 20 years. To those who knew her well, Mrs. Whitehead’s greatest legacy was her genuine concern for others. Continue reading →

Graduate Nursing Alumna Receives Excellence in Public Health Award

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L to R: Keynote speaker Joseph Telfair
stands with Dr. Jennifer Hicks

Dr. Jennifer Hicks, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Belmont alumna, recently received the Excellence in Public Health Nurse Award at the Tennessee Public Health Association’s annual meeting held in Nashville last week.

This highly competitive award recognizes a nurse who is respected by co-workers and peers in the community and demonstrates clinical excellence in supporting public health goals and objectives.

Hicks is a May 2016 graduate of Belmont’s DNP program and currently works as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Rutherford County Health Department.

College of Health Sciences and Nursing Kicks-Off Simulation Week with “To Err is Human” Viewing, Discussion

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To kick off Healthcare Simulation week, Belmont University and The Tennessee Simulation Alliance hosted the documentary “To Err is Human” on Monday, September 17. Created to bring patient safety back into the national discussion through the power of documentary storytelling, the film aims to showcase solutions that are easy to implement and would dramatically improve the quality of health care. Continue reading →