Dr. Yvette Hachtel, Professor of Occupational Therapy, was recently recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation as a recipient of the Patterson Award for Community Volunteerism. The award is co-sponsored by the Patterson Foundation of St. Paul, Minnesota and was presented at the annual meeting of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Hachtel (pictured left receiving award) was one of five award recipients who exemplify the outstanding commitment of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to their communities. She was recognized for her work with the Odyssey Program of the Campus for Human Development in Nashville serving men who are chronically homeless.
Category Archives: School of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Students Present at National Seating Symposium
Recently, occupational therapy students Rebecca Anderson, Reagan Bergstresser-Simpson and Kristi Jarrett presented their thesis poster at the 27th International Seating Symposium held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. The title of the presentation was “Examining the Quality of Life of Children with Physical Disabilities Who Participate in a Community-Based Recreation Program: A Mixed Method Design.”
The study examined the relationship between participation in organized, community-based recreation and perceived quality of life for children with physical disabilities. A mixed-method, cross-sectional design was used with thirteen participants recruited from ABLE Youth in Tennessee. All participants used a wheelchair as their primary mode of mobility.
Quantitative data was collected using the Pediatric Quality of Life Instrument (PedsQL™), which measures perceived quality of life, and the qualitative data used a phenomenological approach with individual interviews. The results of the PedsQL™ suggested that the majority of the participants had a moderately high quality of life. The investigators identified six major themes in the qualitative information that described the children’s perspectives on what contributed to their quality of life and how their participation in recreational activities contributed to this life satisfaction. These themes included: health benefits of physical activity, opportunity for socialization, having a choice, identity as a wheelchair user, having a positive attitude and empowerment by abilities & future goals. The researchers believe participation in ABLE Youth contributed to a positive perception of quality of life for the participants.
College of Health Sciences Partners with HealthStream and Laerdal to Develop Content for New Platform in Medical Simulation
Faculty members at Belmont University’s Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing are playing a vital role in the development of content that will be made available for use in an innovative new platform to deliver healthcare education through medical simulation.
SimCenter™, announced publicly in January, is a joint product of Nashville’s HealthStream (NASDAQ: HSTM), a leading provider of learning and research solutions for the healthcare industry and Laerdal Medical, a global leader in the provision of educational solutions for healthcare providers and educators. SimCenter is an innovative simulation management platform designed specifically for healthcare institutions to manage their simulation initiatives. It is comprised of a fully integrated system of software designed to work with advanced patient simulators used in medical education and made available through the Internet via software as a service (SaaS).
Belmont educators have been part of the initial content development team of leading medical simulation centers that have been creating scenarios for use within SimCenter. “This is a groundbreaking solution that will revolutionize the way simulation is performed in healthcare training,” said Beth Hallmark, Ph.D. RN, director of simulation at Belmont University.
“The Simulation Center faculty members from Belmont’s College of Health Sciences are representative of a growing group of thought leaders that are pioneering medical simulation,” said Robert A. Frist, Jr., president and chief executive officer, HealthStream. “We are delighted to have Belmont join our global network of leading educators offering best-in-class simulation content to the industry.”
Guatemala from A to Z
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
From Lacey Little
Physical Therapy student Lacey Little shares about her experience in Guatemala on her personal blog. Check it out by clicking here.
Excerpts:
Awesome. Word of the week because it sums up everything.
Faith. I learned so much about faith and joy this week. Everyone from Shalom and all of our interpreters were such an example of living joyfully. This man (Israel) has such faith and joy exuding from him. Tears flowed when we had to say goodbye to all of the wonderful people we had met.
Humbled. Again, and again, and again.
Justin Bieber (oh you better believe the interpreters called me Mrs. Bieber). I tried (to no avail) to convince a 6 year old that the Biebs was better than the Jonas Brothers.
Volcanoes. Had no idea that Guatemala had active volcanos. Cool.
What can I do now? This is the question that I am left with. I am itching to go back to Guatemala, but until then what can I do here in Nashville?
See more at Lacey’s blog, including lots of pictures.
OT students, faculty and alumni help host International Seating Symposium
Students, faculty and alumni of Belmont University School of Occupational Therapy served as presenters and volunteers at the 2011 International Seating Symposium (ISS) at Opryland Hotel in Nashville earlier this month. The annual symposium, coordinated by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, focuses on research, training and exhibits regarding wheeled mobility and seating, and solutions for people with disabilities. The audience is primarily clinicians, medical manufacturers, rehab equipment suppliers and educators.
Dr. Teresa Plummer, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, was a presenter and co-presenter at several symposium sessions. In one session, she presented her doctoral dissertation, “Participatory Action Research to Examine the Current State of Practice in Wheelchair Assessment and Procurement”. She also co-presented “A Practice Guide for Wheelchair Assessments” with Mary Shea of Kessler Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ, and “Powered Mobility and the Effects on Visual / Perceptual Deficits” with 2005 Belmont OTD graduate, Casey Emery of Banner Good Samaritan/Touchstone Rehab in Phoenix, AZ.
Twenty-one students from Belmont, representing the Schools of Occupational and Physical Therapy, served as volunteers for the event. The keynote speaker was Lee Woodruff, author and contributing editor for ABC’s Good Morning America, and wife of Bob Woodruff, a television journalist who was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Pictured here with Ms. Woodruff are OT students, Ashley Hutchinson and Jessica Rutledge.
Final Day in Guatemala
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
From Jamie Adam
Today began with another wonderful breakfast (eggs, hotdogs, pancakes and toast). We headed to Antigua for a day of adventure. After an easy 1 hour drive, we arrived about 9:30AM. Our first stop was a coffee plantation in Antigua. We walked around the plantation grounds and several of us enjoyed coffee, cappuccinos, and a favorite, the mochachino. Most of the staff understood and spoke English, an indication to us that English speaking visitors are common in this area. The look of the city was quite different from what we have seen the last several days. It was a little tourist village tucked into the mountains with cobblestone streets, beautiful landscapes and quaint little shops. We noticed several tourists and what we thought might be study abroad students in the streets and markets.
Please spiders don’t crawl into my suitcase….
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
from Tamara Garvey
6:34 am
Bob the spider is muerte. (Sadness!) Stephen is triste that his ninja reflexes kicked in when Bob jumped out of his shoe….thus ending Bob’s time in Guatemala.
8:03am
Breakfast of eggs, fried bananas, toast and most importantly COFFEE! Israel teaches the team a VBS song in Spanish then we return the favor with a rousing round of “Tootie-ta” ;). Nathan, inspired by the musical start to our morning continued to channel his inner Rock Star on the drive to Palencia.
Wednesday in Guatemala
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
From Dr. Renee Brown
After breakfast with Tony the Tiger the entire team headed for Tecpan, picking up the faculty from The University of Mariano Galvez on the way. The scenery was beautiful – including volcanoes, farm land, and indigenous people. We visited the JT foundation clinic in Tecpan.
The visit started with watching videos of the work that the foundation is doing with the children and families with disabilities. It was incredibly inspiring to see how they went into the communities and mountains to seek out those with disabilities as often these individuals are hidden by their families. We were impressed with the creativity and ingenuity of the staff to do so much with so little.
Guatemala Day 3
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
Gloria Isaacks and JennaLynn Drake
We began our day with omelets filled with yummy peppers, served with delicious mangos, and Guatemalan Tang. The OT/PT teams went to the hospital while the nursing team went to McDonalds!!! (Actually, they got lost and made it to the hospital eventually.) While at the hospital, the OTs collaborated with 2 OT students from the university who are completing their thesis project on using music interventions in occupational therapy sessions to treat several children.
Sophia, a 6-year-old girl is being treated for postural instability of the trunk and neck, and is working on developing functional grasp. Gloria provided stimulating music with a strong pulse to gain Sophia’s attention, facilitate lateral flexion, and provide proprioceptive input. Tamara provided support to help Sophia extend her trunk and flex her neck.
Day 2 in Guatemala
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
from Stephen Dawson Graham
This morning we woke up bright and early to a great breakfast of pancakes, bacon, papaya and pineapple. Then we headed over to a local children’s hospital to help work with the patients there. We split up into teams by discipline: OT, PT and nursing.
Hello Guatemala!
Guatemala 2011 Mission Trip
From Julianne Russell and Amanda Woodall
We’re here!!! We all met bright and early on Sunday morning at the airport. During our short layover in Atlanta, all 13 of us joined in on a dynamic new card game called “AWESOME,” then we departed to our destination of Guatemala. After de-boarding the plane, we were met by our amazing hosts Kevin, Claudia, and Steven. Once we were all packed up into the van, we pursued our first priority – LUNCH. Our hosts directed us to Tacontento, where we enjoyed the most fantastic guacamole and strawberry cream cheese filled chimichangas. We were both delighted and slightly intimidated by the large, colorful pinadas hanging overhead.
Health Science Students, Faculty and Alums Head to Guatemala for Mission Trip
2011 Mission Trip to Guatemala
For the fifth consecutive year, Belmont University’s Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing will be sending a team of health professionals and students to Guatemala for a Christian service project. This year’s trip will occur during the university’s spring break, March 6 – 12.
The mission trip was originated in 2007 by students in the School of Physical Therapy. Since then, students and staff from the other allied health disciplines in the College have joined the annual effort. Last year, a multidisciplinary medical team of 36 travelled to Guatemala City, where they taught at a Christian high school serving one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods and at a local university, served over 400 individuals at a soup kitchen each evening, and helped treat and immunize patients at several area clinics.
Hachtel Selected for AOTF/Patterson Foundation Award
Dr Yvette Hachtel, professor of occupational therapy, has been selected as a recipient of an AOTF/Patterson Foundation award for Community Volunteerism. This award, a joint project of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and the Patterson Foundation of St. Paul, Minnesota, is being given for the first time this year and recognizes outstanding community volunteerism that meets the needs of disadvantaged individuals who would otherwise not be able to benefit from occupational therapy services. This award was given for the work on the Odyssey program of the Campus for Human Development in Nashville and was viewed by the selection committee as one of the applications best reflecting the overall purpose of the award. Her accomplishment will be recognized during the Award Ceremony at the Annual AOTA Conference and Exposition to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 16, 2011. In addition to this award, Dr Hachtel will receive a check for $1,000.
Health Sciences faculty receive promotions
Congratulations to faculty members in the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing who were granted promotions by the Belmont Board of Trust this week.
Renee Brown in the School of Physical Therapy was granted tenure and a promotion to Professor. Nancy Darr in the School of Physical Therapy was promoted to Professor. Kelley Kinningham in the School of Pharmacy was granted tenure. Teresa Plummer in the School of Occupational Therapy was granted tenure and a promotion to Assistant Professor. Linda Wofford in the School of Nursing was granted tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
Dr. Jack Williams, Dean of the College, commented on the actions. “Please join me in congratulating these folks for a job well done and for their positive leadership in their programs, the college, the university, and the community!”
School of Occupational Therapy receives grant from Baptist Healing Trust
The School of Occupational Therapy was recently awarded a $16,600 grant from the Baptist Healing Trust to support OTD residency projects and development of compassionate care in the curriculum. Each OTD student will receive a monetary stipend for resource materials specific to their residency and budget. Dr. Ruth Ford secured the grant and serves as the principle investigator. Dr. Christine Manville is the associate investigator.
The goal of the Baptist Healing Trust’s grantmaking is to increase the access of vulnerable populations to compassionate and affordable healthcare and to support and enhance the success of the non-profit organizations it funds by offering funding and consulting to organizations to support cultures centered on compassionate care.
Since its inception in 2002, the Trust has awarded over $50 million dollars of grants in Middle Tennessee.
See more at Baptist Healing Trust’s website.
PT and OT – Two of 10 Booming Jobs in America
What 10 careers on Money and PayScale.com’s list of America’s best jobs will see big opportunities, and what do hiring managers look for?
6. Physical Therapist
Best Jobs rank: 4
10-year growth: 30%
Median pay: $75,000
A greater focus on strength, wellness and preventative care has moved physical therapy into the mainstream. Now these specialists work with patients of all ages and ailments to improve their standard of health.
East Hartford, Conn.-based Preferred Therapy Solutions has 170 openings for those interested in working with patients who are suffering from disease or injury. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required — though a doctorate is recommended — along with all of the appropriate licenses. Just as important: A love for the job.
“I’m a non clinician, when I talk with someone to screen them, I’m looking for someone who can convey how much they enjoy being a physical therapist,” says employment and human resources director Linda Black.
“Someone that I hired gave me an example of the last patient she had treated and how thrilled she was that that patient was able to stand up on her own and walk down the hall and it brought tears to her eyes. It was catching, it was like maybe I should go back to school and become a PT.”
9. Occupational
Therapist
Best Jobs rank: 19
10-year growth: 26%
Median pay: $72,000
Yes degrees, experience and certification are vital to landing a job as an occupational therapist, but when it comes to helping those that suffer from a disabling condition, compassion is paramount.
As such, Erin Wright, senior recruiter for Lakeland HealthCare, pays just as much attention to a job candidate’s social cues as she does their resume. “A lot of it is their tone,” she says. “The way they answer the telephone, you can hear it in their voice.”
To help screen candidates, she brings them into the office to see how they interact. “We do on-site interviews where they get to meet the team and throughout those interviews we are able to see if they were engaged,” says Wright. “Did they smile? Did they make eye contact?”
Occupational Therapy Student Publishes Article in OT Practice
Amanda L. Cobb, an occupational therapy doctoral student, had an article published in the Nov. 29 issue of OT Practice. The article, titled “Plotting Next Steps: Transitions for Adults with Developmental Disabilities,” provides two case studies of how occupational therapy helps individuals with developmental disabilities find meaningful occupation and greater independence. Amanda co-wrote the article with Melissa Y. Winkle, President of Dogwood Therapy Services.
US News recognizes best careers of 2011
Students in occupational therapy, social work, nursing and physical therapy at Belmont University’s Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing can expect great job prospects during the next decade, according to the US News report on the 50 Best Careers of 2011.
For more information check out the following links:
The 50 Best Careers of 2011
Best Careers 2011: Healthcare Jobs
Best Careers 2011: Occupational Therapist
Best Careers 2011: Medical and Public Health Social Worker
Best Careers 2011: Registered Nurse
Best Careers 2011: Physical Therapist
McWhorter Hall Wins National Award for ESa’s Design
Belmont University’s McWhorter Hall—which houses the Schools of Pharmacy and Physical Therapy as well as the Department of Psychological Science—has received a Citation of Excellence Award in the national Learning By Design competition. The annual competition is sponsored by the National School Boards Association and Stratton Publishing and Marketing, Inc.
McWhorter Hall is one of 11 Citations of Excellence Award winners that were deemed the best in the nation by a recognized panel of architects and educational facility specialists. This facility and the other 10 winners will be published in the 20th Anniversary Spring 2011 edition of Learning By Design. Winners were chosen on the basis of innovative design and design excellence.
The academic building, designed by Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. (ESa), maintains the historical architectural style prevalent on the Belmont campus, while containing innovation for which the university has become known. Experiential learning spaces include a sophisticated, licensed campus pharmacy and a clinic that provide services to students, faculty and staff. Interdisciplinary simulation labs add futuristic dimensions to the programs taught within the facility.
Significant sustainable features designed into the building include a 20,000-gallon water storage tank that captures excess ground and storm water for recycling as a campus irrigation source. Surrounding the rooftop cupola are native Tennessee plants comprising the extensive green roof that reduces the urban “heat island effect,” thereby reducing heating/cooling costs. The roof continues Belmont’s efforts to be environmentally responsible. Hodgson & Douglas provided the landscape architectural design for the green roof. R.C. Mathews Contractor served as the project’s general contractor.
ESa, based in Nashville, is a 49-year-old architectural firm practicing throughout the U.S. and globally in the design areas of education, healthcare, hospitality, senior living, corporate office, and the arts & community. Other Belmont campus projects the firm has designed over the years include the recently completed Patton Hall/Bear House residence hall, Maple Hall, the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing Center, the Beaman Student Life Center/ Curb Event Center/Maddox Grand Atrium, Bill & Carole Troutt Theater, Leu Center for the Visual Arts and the Jack C. Massey Business Center.
Occupational Therapy Alumni and Life Care Donate Textbooks to Current Students
Two alumni of Belmont’s Master of Science program in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) recently presented current students in the program with textbooks to be used in the coming semester. Tim Sullivan and Angie Salvucci made the donation on behalf of Life Care.
Life Care, which serves Nashville’s elderly population, has also donated textbooks to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program for the past three years. Sullivan and Salvucci were adjunct instructors for the MSOT program over the summer.
Health Science Faculty News
Here is what some of the College of Health Science professors have been up to recently:
Dr. Michael Voight, a professor of Physical Therapy, was appointed to the State Board of Physical Therapy by Governor Phil Bredesen. Dr. Voight was one of 135 men and women chosen throughout the state of Tennessee to represent their respective areas of expertise. In regards to the appointments, Governor Bredesen commended “all those appointed for their willingness to serve the state through its boards and commissions. Tennesseans have always been recognized for dedicating their time and talents to serve their fellow citizens, and I appreciate these men and women for upholding this tradition.”
Dr. Voight also spoke at the National Athletic Training Association annual meeting in Philadelphia, at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting held in Providence Rhode Island, and taught a group of 50 European physiotherapists the Netherlands about physical assessment of golfers and the implications for exercise in the management and prevention of golf related injuries.
Dr. Teresa Plummer presented at the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology of North America (RESNA) annual conference in Las Vegas, NV.
Using findings from her dissertation research concerning the current state of wheelchair assessment and procurement process, she presented and also taught a half-day instructional course on the “relationship between vision, posture and mobility.”
Dr. Penny Prowers organized a team of students that presented at the RESNA conference. A write-up of their experience at the conference can be found here.
Dr. Ruby Dunlap participated in the 2010 State Health Plan Regional Workshop. These workshops are conducted by the Tennessee Division of Health Planning to get feedback from citizens on Tennessee’s proposed health goals and strategies for the state.
Dr. Dunlap advocated for strategies designed for health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and the optimizing of the roles of non-physician clinicians such as nurse practitioners to increase access to health care and decrease health disparities.
Dr. Salvatore Giorgianni was appointed to the Statewide Advisory Board to the Governor’s Office on the Men’s Health Report Card.
Schools of OT and PT to host Amtryke Road Show
The School of Occupational Therapy and the School of Physical Therapy will jointly be hosting a workshop in early October focusing on the benefits of the Amtryke Therapeutic Tricycle Program—a unique mobility service that uses custom-built tricycles to assist people with disabilities.
The event, scheduled for the 6th, will be held in the McWhorter Building room 205 from 5-6 pm, as an encouragement for local therapists to bring the benefits of Amtryke to children with disabilities. Sue Haywood, a physical therapist from National AMBUCS—the non-profit service that owns and operates Amtryke—will be present to conduct in-service training sessions for therapists.
Over 15,300 AmTryke vehicles have been distributed around the world to date. The majority of these “trykes” are purchased by volunteers and donated free of charge to financially-needy children. The trykes themselves can be operated using hands and/or feet, and are designed to accommodate riders of all ages, sizes, and varying degrees of physical limitations. Both physical and occupational therapists acknowledge the many therapeutic benefits of the AmTryke program, mentioning improved motor skills, strength, and self-esteem as just a few.
Students are invited to attend this event. Click here for more information.
Belmont Celebrates Opening of New Health Sciences Building – McWhorter Hall
Belmont University celebrated the grand opening of the new 90,000 square foot McWhorter Hall at a ribbon cutting event held on campus Saturday. The state-of-the-art academic building houses the Schools of Pharmacy and Physical Therapy, as well as the Department of Psychological Science. McWhorter Hall is being named in honor of Belmont Trustee Emeritus and Chairman of Clayton Associates, Clayton McWhorter, and his brother, the late pharmacist Fred McWhorter. Both men dedicated their careers to the healthcare field, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals and championing healthcare reform. In addition to his longtime relationship with the University and his work on the School of Pharmacy’s initial Study Team and External Advisory Committee, Clayton is also providing a major leadership gift in support of Belmont’s new academic building.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “This building is a model, 21st century academic facility that will provide the perfect space and environment where our students and faculty can intersect in service to help meet the medical needs of our community and our world. We are honored to have the McWhorter name on the building, knowing that it will endow this space with a legacy of compassionate, professional care for others that our students will be equipped to emulate.”
Belmont Races Into Top 5 in U.S. News Rankings of America’s Best Colleges
University hits highest ranking ever; honored for teaching, innovation
At the release of last year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings of America’s Best Colleges, Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Seven is the perfect number—until we reach six!” Today Belmont leapt right over position No. 6 to land at No. 5 in the Best Regional Universities—South category, the University’s highest placement in its history. Since 2003, Belmont has risen 16 spots on the nation’s prestigious rankings chart, from 21st to 5th.
Fisher said, “There are times when even I am speechless. Rising to the Top 5 in U.S. News represents a key element of Belmont’s Vision 2015 plan. To reach this level of prominence already demonstrates the immense dedication and talents of Belmont’s faculty, staff and students in accomplishing what has clearly been an ambitious University goal. One thing’s certain: complacency is not an option. We will continue our efforts to seek positive change and growth at every opportunity.”
Belmont was also honored for the third year in a row by fellow college administrators as a top “Up-and-Comer” for making “the most promising and innovating changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities.” Recognizing Belmont’s vision to be a “leader among teaching universities,” Belmont was ranked second in the South category for strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and for learning communities.
‘Green Roof’ Completed on New Health Sciences Building
With the official opening of the new health science building next week, the installation of a green roof on 90,000-square-foot facility has recently been completed. The only large extensive green roof on an educational facility in Nashville, the green roof serves several purposes including a reduction in the “heat island effect,” which refers to the trend of generally higher temperatures in urban areas as opposed to more suburban areas. The green roof lowers air temperatures which helps reduce that effect. Green roofs also provide natural habitats for wildlife (birds, insects, etc.) and reduce pollution by holding pollutants rather than washing into groundwater, sewer or drainage systems. In addition, the green roof can retain some rainwater for irrigation and can reduce the heating/cooling costs by providing lower temperatures around air intake systems.