Elise Shepart, PT, DPT, left, David Jennings, PT, DPT, and Natalie Berra, PT, are taking part in Vanderbilt’s new specialized Physical Therapy residency programs. Shepart and Jennings are graduates of Belmont’s DPT program. (photo by Anne Rayner)

Story courtesy of Vanderbilt University Medical Center edited for Belmont University

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in conjunction with the School of Physical Therapy at Belmont University, has launched specialized Physical Therapy (PT) residency programs in Orthopaedics (Sports) and Pediatrics in addition to an existing Neurological program.

“We are excited to partner with Vanderbilt for these residency programs,” said Dr. Renee Brown, PT, PhD, Professor of Physical Therapy at Belmont. “This provides an opportunity for our graduates to advance their practice after graduation and  pursue specialty certification. The Neurologic residency is in its 4^th year and has a 100% first time pass rate on the ABPTS board certification examination. This year the neurologic and sports residents are graduates of Belmont’s DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy) program.” Continue reading →

More than 100 alumni return for reunion

Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy celebrated its 15-year anniversary of DPT graduates this month with a first-ever reunion for the three-year doctoral program. In addition to networking with one another and PT faculty and staff, the event allowed alumni to earn Continuing Education course credit and to provide support for a few special members. Continue reading →

Dr. Scott C. McInturff, a 2002 graduate of Belmont University’s doctoral program in physical therapy, was featured this week on Atlanta and Company, a weekday television show on Atlanta’s NBC affiliate, WXIA, 11Alive.

Dr. McInturff practices physical therapy at the Wellstar Health System’s pediatric center in Kennesaw, Georgia, treating children and young adults.  Many of Scott’s patients are gymnasts, swimmers, dancers, cheerleaders, baseball/softball, football, soccer and basketball players. As part of his practice, he spends a lot of time educating parents and children on the importance of proper technique as it relates to reducing and possibly preventing injuries.

“Pediatrics and adolescence is unique: kids are not like adults, their bones are still maturing,” said McInturff in a 2014 Wellstar feature story. “Typically, they don’t have adult conditions, so we tailor their treatments to injuries or conditions specific to kids.”

The television segment featuring Dr. McInturff is linked here.

Gail Bursch, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, received the 2015 Carol Likens Award (CLA) presented by the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) at their annual meeting recently. The award is given annually to a TPTA member who has provided exceptional service to the profession of physical therapy.  Bursch served as Chair of the Nashville District of TPTA for 11 years, was Vice President of the Tennessee Chapter for 5 years and most recently chaired the TPTA Nominating Committee for 4 years.  The Likens award is named for its first recipient who served the chapter as president from 1985 to 1995 and whose vision, leadership and commitment to the profession brought the TPTA through one of its greatest periods of growth and service to members. Continue reading →

Dr. Pat Sells, Professor of Physical Therapy, was recently honored by the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G Komen as part of the 2015 class of Pink Tie Guys. Dr. Sells was among nine individuals from middle Tennessee who were recognized this year.

The Pink Tie Program honors  influential leaders who help mobilize, energize and engage audiences in the breast cancer movement through their role within the community, within their organizations, and through their personal involvement. The Pink Tie Guys are leaders who bring a male voice to the urgency of finding the cure.

It was Dr. Sells’ interest in service that first led him to get involved with Susan G. Komen and the Race for the Cure.  His interest in the Komen events was heightened following the passing of his grandmother, who happened to be a 20 plus year survivor of breast cancer.  After her passing, Pat spent a great deal of time contemplating the courage, strength, determination and faith required of someone facing breast cancer, a strong motivational influence to help find a cure.

Dr. Sells, along with 2014 Pink Tie Guy and fellow Belmont professor, Dr. Mike Voight, coordinate over 100 student volunteers from the School of Physical Therapy prior to and during the Race for the Cure event each year.  The students were recognized in 2013 by Komen International as the Outstanding Volunteer Group of the Year.

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Belmont DPT students attended the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) Day on the Hill  on February 11, 2015.  Scott Newton, TPTA President, and Joe Black, TPTA Legislative Chair, provided an orientation to the legislative process and highlighted a particular bill of interest to PTs.  The students were then escorted through Legislative Plaza to the Old Supreme Court Room in the Capitol.  Along with PT students from UTC, the students heard an inspiring talk from State Senator Bo Watson who is also a PT.  He stressed the importance of the legislative arena for PT practice and urged them to be advocates for their profession.

Dr. Michael Voight, Professor of Physical Therapy, has been appointed to Performance Health Academy’s 2015 Scientific Advisory Committee, one of eighteen individuals from around the world who have expertise in physical therapy, chiropractic, exercise science, athletic training, and massage therapy.

Performance Health is a leading manufacturer of rehabilitation and wellness products sold in the U.S. and over sixty countries. The Company markets its product offering under such brand names as TheraBand, Biofreeze, Cramer, Bon Vitaland Thera°Pearl. The Performance Health Academy was formed to scientifically document the benefits of resistance exercise and pain relief and guide the company in its development of new products and exercise programs. The Academy web site is a unique resource that connects healthcare professionals and consumers to the ever growing body of knowledge on exercise.

Dr. Mike Voight, Professor of Physical Therapy, was recently a keynote presenter at the World Golf Fitness Summit in Carlsbad, California and at a meeting of the Japanese Athletic Trainer and Physiotherapy Association in Tokyo, Japan.

The World Golf Fitness Summit brings together over 30 of the world’s thought leaders in athletic performance to discuss the latest research and practical applications. Dr. Voight is noted as one of the leading authorities in the rehabilitation of orthopedic and sports injuries. At the Summit, he joined with Dr. Tom Byrd, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, to present a session about hip injuries in the golfer.

Earlier in the month, Dr. Voight co-presented a session to the Japanese medical community on the evaluation of movement disorders and the impact that poor movement has on the hip. Seventy-five Japanese physicians and physical therapist were in attendance.

A research group of third year graduate students in the School of Physical Therapy, under the direction of Dr. Pat Sells and Dr. Kevin Robinson, recently had a manuscript published in the October issue of The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.  The journal is the official research medium of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

“We had conversations several years ago with a company making wearable performance jewelry,” explained Dr. Sells, “and agreed to conduct research that clinically tested claims that the product, which included a variety of technologies such as copper, negative ions, holograms, etc., enhanced performance with improved balance, agility and power.”    The students utilized about 60 aerobic exercise tests with subjects under three different conditions: when not wearing the jewelry, when wearing fake jewelry that appeared to be the performance enhancing product, and when wearing jewelry with the performance enhancing technology.  The clinical tests found that the wrist bands had no impact on performance.

The students, who have since graduated with their Doctorate of Physical Therapy degrees, included Hannah Cavicchio, Brittney Everhart, Brandon Grass and Jonathan Lambert.

Belmont alumnus, Dr. Brandon Gilliam, has been named Director or Rehab and Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. Dr. Gilliam earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Belmont University School of Physical Therapy in 2005.  Upon graduation, he began working in private practice clinics in the Nashville area from 2005-2013.  He also provided sports medicine coverage at Christ Presbyterian Academy from 2005-2009.  Prior to accepting the position with the Heat, Gilliam traveled extensively and taught continuing education courses to other health care professionals with the North American Sports Medicine Institute.  In addition, for the past several years, Dr. Gilliam served as an adjunct within the Belmont University  School of Physical Therapy.   In his final year in Nashville, Dr. Gilliam started his own business consulting with professional and collegiate teams and individual athletes as well as providing concierge physical therapy and fitness services for entertainers and athletes.  In his current role as Director of Rehab, Dr. Gilliam is responsible for maintaining the day to day health of all the player currently on the Miami Heat roster.

Dr. Kevin Robinson, Professor of Physical Therapy at Belmont University, demonstrated the school’s Motion Analysis equipment for Mike Arnall and Dr. Paolo Milia, visiting health professionals from Umbria, Italy.

The Belmont University School of Physical Therapy recently hosted two health professionals from Istituto Prosperius Tiberino, a 75-bed rehabilitation hospital in Umbria, Italy. Since 2012, nine Belmont physical therapy students have completed a clinical affiliation at the hospital and three more students are scheduled for an 8-week clinical affiliation during the spring of 2015.

Istituto Prosperius provides both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for patients with neurological and orthopedic disorders and injuries in a team model of care which includes physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, nurses, art therapists, psychologists and social workers. The Istituto staff conducts ongoing research projects and pilots technological devices for the rehabilitation of neurological patients. The hospital serves as one of leading centers in Italy using robotic therapy to assist in ambulation for patients with spinal cord injuries. The facility also houses two large therapy pools for patients, one equipped with underwater steppers and treadmills. Continue reading →