Belmont Physical Therapy Students Swim with the Dolphins

Department of Physical Therapy students with Dr. Nancy DarrDr. Natalie Michaels, occupational therapy professor, and Dr. Nancy Darr, physical therapy professor, presented a fun-filled aquatic exercise session with the Nashville Dolphins summer camp on August 5.

Michaels and Darr were joined by physical therapy students Courtney Alama, Emily Averitt and Mallorie Sweat who performed aerobic exercises for children attending the camp.

Nashville Dolphins campers participated in aquatic exercise with Belmont faculty and students.

The Nashville Dolphins is a group of dedicated individuals, under the direction of Megan Kelly, who bring aquatic activity to children and adults with special needs.

More than a dozen children and young adults exercised in the water with Belmont professors and students. They reported having “a blast,” and workers at the facility commented on the dedication and professionalism of Belmont students.

Dr. Michaels Presents at Higher Education International Round Table at Oxford

Inman Honored at McWhorter Society Luncheon

Gordon Inman accepts his award from the McWhorter SocietyAt the recent McWhorter Society luncheon at Belmont University, trustee and Vice Chairman of Belmont’s Board of Trust Gordon E. Inman was honored with the 2019 McWhorter Society Distinguished Service Award. This award was established to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the health and health care related academic programs at Belmont University and who’s life work serves as a powerful example for students.

Inman was a major contributor to the construction of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing complex in 2006. The impact of this facility allowed Belmont to triple its nursing enrollment while also providing expanded laboratories for other health care programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and social work.

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Belmont Ranked Top 12 Christian University in America

Belmont is one of the best Christian universities in America, according to a list by The Edvocate that ranked the University no. 12 on its recent list of 2020 Best Christian Colleges and Universities in America.

In addition to the overall list, Belmont tied for fourth place for outstanding undergraduate teaching. The site ranked Belmont no. 5 among regional universities in the South, highlighting the university’s offerings for veterans and degrees in music and music production.

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Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Announces 2019 Inductees

Health Care Hall of Fame inductees announced at McWhorter Society Luncheon
(L to R) Dick Miller, Clara Elam, David and Lynn Barton and Mary Bufwack, Ph.D.

Hall of Fame’s fifth class represents some ofTennessee’s most influential health care leaders

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame announced the seven health care professionals selected as this year’s inductee class at a luncheon on Belmont University’s campus today. With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created in 2015 by Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, a founding partner. The seven honorees will be inducted at a ceremony in October.

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Dr. Cathy Hinton retires after 20 years teaching at School of Physical Therapy

Dr. Cathy Hinton started teaching in the School of Physical Therapy in 1999 and therefore has had the privilege of having taught every single student to have graduated from the Belmont DPT program.  Hinton is well respected by her students, and best known for her compassion, caring and of course, the chocolate she provides to the students on exam days!  Dr. Hinton is the ultimate cheerleader for the profession of Physical Therapy, instilling that passion in her students through the years.  She has served in every position in the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) and has served in numerous capacities with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as well.  Dr. Hinton has been the recipient of the Mac Hensley Hall of Fame award for 25 years of continuous service to the TPTA, Carol Likens Award for exceptional service to the profession and the Special Recognition award for exceptional service. She was also awarded the Lucy Blair service award which is the highest service award by the APTA.

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Physical Therapy Students Host Health Fair for East Cheatham Elementary

PT Students Host Health Fair

Belmont School of Physical Therapy students recently provided a Health Fair for about 80 elementary students (4thgrade) from East Cheatham Elementary.  The Belmont students spent the semester exploring different roles of the Physical Therapist in Health and Wellness related to topics in Dr. Pat Sells’ class.  The Belmont students then carefully prepared a series of newsletters that addressed such topics as First Aid, Heart Health, Lung/smoking risks, nutrition and stress management, among others.  These booklets of newsletters are packed with games, puzzles and other challenges to reinforce learning, and each student received the 32 page booklet of information.

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Dr. Robinson and Dr. Williams Present at Tennessee Physical Therapy Association Meeting

Williams and Robinson

Dr. Kevin Robinson and Dr. Christi Williams, faculty in the School of Physical Therapy, presented a continuing education course for physical therapists throughout the state at the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association’s (TPTA) Spring Meeting.  The TPTA meeting was held at the Millennium Maxwell House in Nashville this past weekend.  The course taught by Robinson and Williams was entitled, “Are You Over or Underestimating Your Patient’s Strengths? New Technology for Today’s PT’s.”

Belmont PT Students Go to Capitol Hill

The Belmont Doctoral Physical Therapy Class of 2020 was given an opportunity to learn first-hand about legislation and its effect on health care. On Friday, March 8, Dr. Natalie Michaels, professor in the College of Health Sciences, brought her Health Care Systems Class to meet Dr. Joe Black, the legislative committee co-chair for the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA).

He introduced the class to Lobbyists Lou Alsobrooks and Estie Harris who spoke about their work with Congress and the Senate to support the physical therapy profession. Black also spoke to the students at length about physical therapy, the importance of staying involved and his role with the TPTA. He then led the group on a tour of the grounds.

“The students were engaged and extremely professional. I’m humbled and proud to be able to be part of the prestigious faculty-team who teach these amazing men and women,” Michaels said.

Dr. Voight Serves as Invited Faculty Member at Annual Scandinavian Congress

Dr, Mike Voight, professor in Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy, was recently an invited faculty member at the Annual Scandinavian Congress of Medicine & Science in Sports. The aim of this Congress is to create contact between physiotherapists working in sports and physical activity, provide training, share knowledge and create working relationships with other professionals with the same interest.

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PT Students Hear Lecture from World-Renowned Ultrasonographer

Belmont University physical therapy students recently participated in a lecture on ultrasound examination of the hip and the use of ultrasound guided injections by Beth Bardowski NP, a world renowned ultrasonographer from the Nashville Hip Institute.

Bardowski is a sought out clinician/educator that has taught numerous diagnostic ultrasound courses to surgeons from around the world. While at Belmont, she guided the students through the anatomy of the hip and demonstrated how the diagnostic ultrasound is used in both the assessment of the hip as well as the follow-up treatment of various hip dysfunction.

Physical Therapy Students Complete International Clinical Affiliations

Belmont physical therapy students have the opportunity to complete international clinical affiliations including alongside seven Italian facilities that are coordinated by Eduglobal Associates, founded by Michael Arnall, PT, MS, MBA.  Following his tenure as Chair of the DPT program at Saint Francis University in 2006, Michael began collaborating with American PT schools to provide internships at Italian rehabilitation facilities, including Fondazione Turati in Tuscany, where he worked as a staff PT in 1981-82. Eduglobal Associates currently contracts with over 50 PT schools and Belmont has been an affiliate since 2012. A group of 34 Belmont PT students has been mentored by Italian clinical instructors through the past seven years.

Gail Bursch, PT, MSEd, CWS, director of clinical education and Belmont adjunct faculty member Janet Szczepanski, PT, MHS both serve on the advisory board of Eduglobal Associates. In Pistoia, Italy last September, they provided clinical instructor training for 45 Italian clinical instructors mentoring PT students.

The course included eight hours of content and case study activities based on the pilot course taught to 10 of the Italian PT managers during the October 2016 APTA National Student Conclave Meeting in Miami. Therefore, the majority of the clinical instructors at the Italian clinical sites have been trained. They mentor a total of 90 students each year from programs across the US on clinical affiliations that span from 8 – 12 weeks.

PT Students Present Research at National Conference

This research project is the third phase of a project investigating the strength and functional testing of Nashville ballet performers with a goal of identifying dancers at risk of developing an injury.

Student Tyler Hoek presented his group’s research poster, developed by students Tiffany Bennett, Sheyenne Turk and Zach Petrosky with faculty advisors, Kevin Robinson, Craig Parker, Pat Sells and John Halle. This project was investigated the effect of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on lower extremity biomechanics of collegiate athletes, and is geared toward helping to reduce the incidence of non-contact injuries such as ACL injuries in athletes.

Congressman Cooper Speaks to Physical Therapy Class

Belmont’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy class of 2020 received a visit from Congressman Jim Cooper during their Health Care Systems class taught by Professor Natalie Michaels last week.

Congressman Cooper interacted with students, discussing everything from the history of health care in the United States, to the current state of health and student debt in our country. He spoke candidly about the current situation in both the state and federal governments regarding health care and answered questions for the students.

Belmont PT Students Present Research at National Conference

Belmont Physical Therapy student researchers Samantha Cook, Colleen Manning and Jessie Mills presented two papers at the National Physical Therapy Conference in Washington DC on Jan. 26.  Their research was conducted at Belmont and included two other student researchers Ashley Thomas and Royale Lopez. The group was mentored by professor Kathleen Galloway.

The presentations, “Superficial to deep fibular sensory nerve communication in the foot: a study of anatomic variation” and “Normative values for deep fibular nerve conduction and deep fibular nerve musculoskeletal ultrasound” were enthusiastically received by clinicians in attendance.

Dr. Voight Presents at American Physical Therapy Association Combined Meeting

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

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

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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Dr. Voight Presents at 2018 Orthopaedic Summit

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

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.”

Physical Therapy Students Volunteer for Garrett’s Hero Run

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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Belmont Hosts Health and Well-Being Fair

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

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

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

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.