News from the Department of Physical Therapy Education

March 19, 2012

This coming Saturday, March 24, is the DPT students’ 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk at Red Hill Park in Rancho Cucamonga to raise money for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Pittsburgh-Marquette Challenge. There is a $20 registration fee and the run/walk begins at 9 a.m. at 7484 Vineyard Ave. While same day registration is available starting at 8 a.m., please get additional sponsorship and registration information, or pre-register now by contacting Carrie Rogers at crogers@westernu.edu or 909-469-5300. Each year, for the past 23 years, students at PT and PTA schools nationwide have made an impact on physical therapy education and research by supporting the Foundation for Physical Therapy through the Challenge. To date, students have raised more than $2 million to support the Foundation's doctoral and research grants, and currently 33 schools across the country have pledged to participate in this year's Challenge.  To date, sponsors for the current DPT event include Target, In-N-Out, Road ID, Mint Leaf, Espiaus Restaurant, Bert and Rockys Ice Cream, Starbucks, Salon Bloom, and Bikram Yoga.

March 5, 2012

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS and Professor/Associate Dean of Research Donna Redman-Bentley, PT, PhD for their research on "Comparison of Fallers and Nonfallers at an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility: A Retrospective Review" which was published in the January/February 2012 Volume 37, Issue 1 of Rehabilitation Nursing. In conducting this study, Drs. Hudson-McKinney and Redman-Bentley collaborated with two other physical therapists and the Director of the Research Institute at Casa Colina Rehabilitation Center in Pomona

February 27, 2012

As of today, WesternU Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates from the Class of 2011 have scored a 100 percent pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure, based on results from a Jan. 30, 2012 exam. Click here to read the full story.

February 21, 2012

Several faculty and students participated in the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) which was recently held in Chicago. The four-day CSM focuses on programming designed by all 18 of APTA's specialty sections. The conference is held annually and this year was attended by over 10,000 physical therapy professionals from across the country. WesternU was well represented by faculty members Drs. Mary Hudson-McKinney, Laurie Layton, Dee Schilling, David Selkowitz, Sandy Stuckey, and Professor Georgeanne Vlad. In addition, the following 20 students represented their respective classes at the conference: DPT 2012 students Jared Bair, Ericka Martin, Erwin Menguita, Kathy Reeves, Mark Rivera, Krista Wendt, and Chelsea Yokoyama; DPT 2013 students Megan Borjon, Erin Casselle, Joe Estes, Terri Jemison, Omid Kajbaf, Brandon Kusakabe, Lindsey Liggan, Rebecca Lisonbee, and Theresa Mendoza; and DPT 2014 students Tamra Campbell. Sharon Malek, Parichehr Mohtashamifard, and Sara Wiese.

Professor Selkowitz was an invited speaker for six hours of educational lecture sessions on “A User-Friendly Framework for Evidence-based Decision Making in Electrotherapy, Parts 1 & 2” and a lab for an “Electrotherapy Workshop”. Associate Professor Vlad presented her research at a podium presentation on “Empathy Among Healthcare Professions Students”. This research is associated with the WesternU Interprofessional Research Grant ”Measuring Humanism Across Western University’s Health Professions in Response to Interprofessional Education (IPE)” which was awarded to Professor Suzie Kovacs (CVM), Dr. Beth Boynton (CVM), Dr. Richard Sugerman (COMP), and Professor Vlad (CAHP).

February 13, 2012

Chair and Associate Professor Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, recently became the Editor of The Academic Review, the official newsletter of the Academic Council of the American Physical Therapy Association. The purpose of the Council, which was formed in 2010, is to advance the enterprise of academic physical therapy by promoting the highest standards of excellence in academic programs/departments/schools.

February 6, 2012

Massiel Delgado, DPT 2012, recently gave a presentation in Spanish on "Fit to a T - Osteoporosis and Bone Health" to about 40 senior citizens in conjunction with the Los Angeles Commission on Health at the East Los Angeles County Services Center. This presentation is part of the US Bone and Joint Decade's response to the Surgeon General's first-ever report on bone health and osteoporosis. In partnership with the Public Library Association and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, this education program is called "Fit to a T" because the T-score is the measure of a person's bone density and susceptibility to fragility fracture.

January 30, 2012

The Physical Therapy Advocacy Club (PTAC) recently had Don Schoendorfer speak on "Giving the Gift of Mobility: Free Wheelchair Mission" to an audience of students, faculty, and staff. A biomedical engineer from MIT who resides in Santa Ana, Dr. Schoendorfer is President and Founder of the Free Wheelchair Mission which has provided more than 595,000 wheelchairs to people in 81 nations since its inception in 2001. Over 26 DPT students have raised almost $5,500 to date and participated in the 7th Annual Run for Mobility at the Surf City USA Marathon and Half Marathon in Huntington Beach on February 5.

January 23, 2012

Twenty-six persons from the DPT program attended a Holiday Open House held in December at the Montclair office of California State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod. Senator Negrete McLeod currently represents the 32nd District which includes Pomona. Chair and Associate Professor Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, Associate Professor Sandy Stuckey, PT, MA, PhD, and Assistant Professor Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS, representing the DPT faculty, participated in the event along with the following students representing each of the three DPT classes 2012, 2013, and 2014: Stephanie Brog, Tamra Campbell, Erin Casselle, Anne Ellis, Joe Estes, Allison Fitzsimons, Joel Kim, Randy Larson, Kristen Lee, Lindsey Liggan, Lindsey Machado, Stacey May, Ashleigh Miller, Parichehr Mohtashamifard, Veronica Natividad, Van Ngo, Jennifer Northcutt, Raquel Ochoa, Kathy Reeves, Katie Swisher, Quoc Tran, Sahar Vafadar, and Heidi Vander Woude.

January 16, 2012

Professor Donna Redman-Bentley, PT, PhD, College of Allied Health Professions Associate Dean for Research, and Dr. Janice Hoffman, College of Pharmacy Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, authored the article “Comparison of faculty and student attitudes toward teamwork and collaboration in interprofessional education,” that was recently published in the Journal of Interprofessional Care. Click here for more information.

January 9, 2012

Assistant Professor Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS, was recently a guest presenter for the Los Angeles Support Group of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation that was held at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Hudson-McKinney spoke on “Effective Exercise Strategies for Managing Dystonia” for this group that is open to persons with any form of dystonia, as well as their family members, friends, caregivers and others wishing to learn more about dystonia.

January 2, 2012

Congratulations to Associate Professor Georgeanne Vlad, PT, MA, on her recent appointment for a three-year term to the Ethics Committee of the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA).  Professor Vlad joins four other CPTA members on this committee that investigates and holds hearings on complaints of violation of ethical standards, makes disciplinary recommendations to the Judicial Committee of the American Physical Therapy Association, and develops educational programming regarding ethics.

December 12, 2011

Congratulations to Sheryl Low, PT, DPT ‘05, DSc, PCS, for her recent election to the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) Chapter Board in the position of Director. As one of four Directors representing over 6,000 physical therapist and physical therapist assistant members in the state, Dr. Low joins the nine-member Chapter Board which serves as the governing body in presiding over the CPTA.   

December 5, 2011

Congratulations to Patti Nakagawa, PT, DPT'03, for being recognized recently in "California PT Notes", an electronic memo produced by the California Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Nakagawa had celebrated National Physical Therapy Month with her staff at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton for the past 13 years by giving out pens and buttons from the American Physical Therapy Association. This year she decided to honor their Director and the entire physical therapy staff by making a generous donation to the CAL-PT-FUND. The CAL-PT-FUND was established in 1977 as a non-profit organization to advance evidence-based physical therapy practice in California by promoting the development of researchers and clinical scholars.

November 28, 2011

Assistant Professor Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS, presented at two one-day courses “Rehab in Multiple Sclerosis – Strategies for Physical and Occupational Therapists” sponsored by Interface Rehab, Inc.  Dr. Hudson-McKinney  was one of three invited speakers who participated in each of the day long courses which were offered recently at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles and at The Center at Founders Village in Fountain Valley.  

November 21, 2011

Congratulations to Julia Chui, DPT Class of 2014, for having co-authored a research manuscript that has been published by PLoS ONE. The manuscript title is  Oral Treatment with γ-Aminobutyric Acid Improves Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity by Inhibiting Inflammation in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice  with authors Jide Tian, Hoa N. Dang, Jing Yong, Wing-Sheung (Julia) Chui, Matthew P. G. Dizon, Catherine K. Y. Yaw, and Daniel L. Kaufman. PLoS ONE  is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), a nonprofit organization.

November 14, 2011

Six DPT students volunteered their time at a sled hockey clinic in Riverside for persons who were born with or have suffered a permanent physical injury. Jennifer Shire (DPT 2012), Erin Casselle and Stacey May (DPT 2013), and Joel Kim, Sharon Malek, and Heidi Stahlberg (DPT 2014) helped put sleds together, fitted each participant with gear, and pushed some of the almost 80 participants around on the ice.  The clinic was funded both by USA Hockey and PossAbilities which is a community outreach program developed by Loma Linda University Medical Center to provide activities to individuals with a disability.

November 7, 2011

Professor David Selkowitz, PT, PhD, OCS, DAAPM, recently presented at the International Patellofemoral Pain Research Consortium’s second biennial symposium, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Proximal, Local, and Distal Factors: An International Research Retreat, in Ghent, Belgium.  Dr. Selkowitz was one of 36 invited attendees and presented a poster of his research "Hip Muscle Activation in Persons with Patellofemoral Pain during Therapeutic Exercise: A Pilot Study Using Fine-Wire Electrodes". 

October 31, 2011

The Physical Therapy Advocacy Club (PTAC) continued its lecture series in recognition of National Physical Therapy Month with a speaker from the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The purpose of the WWP is to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. 

Representing the WWP, Norberto Lara presented "Warriors Speak" on October 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Lecture Hall East of the Health Sciences Center (HSC) with over 100 persons in attendance.

The PTAC volleyball and basketball tournaments continued with games scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - October 25, 27, and 28 in Centennial Park at 12:05 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.

October 24, 2011

In recognition of October being National Physical Therapy Month, the Physical Therapy Advocacy Club (PTAC) and the Alumni Association co-sponsored the Annual PT BBQ at the Health Education Center Esplanade on October 19. In addition to lunch, snow cones and baked goods were sold as a fundraiser.  The PTAC volleyball and basketball tournaments continued with games scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - October 18, 20, and 21 in Centennial Park.

Assistant Professor Janet Konecne, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, performed at the La Mirada Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 22. The concert theme was "A Halloween Spooktacular" and included such selections as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Phantom of the Opera”,  “Night on Bald Mountain”, and “Symphonie Fantastique – March to the Scaffold and Witches Sabbath”. Dr. Konecne, an established expert in physical therapy for performing artists, plays principal bassoon with the La Mirada Symphony Orchestra.

October 17, 2011

James Syms, PT, DSc, ATC, SCS, President of the California Physical Therapy Association, was a featured speaker in Lecture Hall West of the Health Sciences Center. The Physical Therapy Advocacy Club (PTAC) hosted Dr. Syms who addressed "Physical Therapy Advocacy" in recognition of October being National Physical Therapy Month.

The volleyball and basketball tournaments continued with games scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - October 11, 13, and 14 in Centennial Park.

October 10, 2011

In recognition of October being National Physical Therapy Month, there were volleyball and basketball tournaments with the first games scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - October 4, 6, and 7 in Centennial Park.

October 3, 2011

In recognition of October being National Physical Therapy Month, the Physical Therapy Advocacy Club (PTAC) had a presentation by Lilian Chen-Fortanasce, PT, DPT, OCS,  on “Training Olympic Athletes” today from 12 to 1pm in Cooper Hall in the University Research Center. Dr. Chen-Fortanasce served as the Chief Rehab Specialist at the Training Bureau of the Sports General Administration of China for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games.  

September 26, 2011

Department of Physical Therapy Education alumni, faculty and students participated in the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) Annual Conference held last weekend in Long Beach. This two-day event was attended by more than 1,200 professionals from throughout the state. As a sponsor of the conference, the WesternU logo was imprinted on the official conference tote bag given out at registration. In addition, the department had a booth in the exhibit hall to promote WesternU and the Advanced Standing (transitional) DPT degree for current physical therapists. Over 100 alumni, faculty, and students enjoyed a reception hosted by WesternU Alumni Relations. Students from each of the three entry-level DPT classes of 2012, 2013, and 2014 attended the conference with many of them volunteering their time in a variety of roles.

Professor David Selkowitz, PT, PhD, OCS, DAAPM, gave a podium presentation on “The Influence of Patellofemoral Pain on Hip Muscle Activation During Therapeutic Exercise: A Pilot Study Using Fine-Wire Electrodes”, and Associate Professor Georgeanne Vlad, PT, MA, gave a podium presentation on “Empathy Among Healthcare Professions Students”. Associate Professor Dayle Armstrong, PT, DPT, MS, and Professor Donna Redman-Bentley, PT, PhD, Associate Dean for Research, College of Allied Health Professions, had a poster presentation on “Effectiveness of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI) in Measuring Differences in Capability and Performance Between Children with Sensori-Motor Disorders, Physical Disability and Typically Developing Children”.

Associate Professors Sandy Stuckey, PT, MA, PhD, and Casey Chaney, PT, PhD, CSCS, OCS, as elected representatives of the San Gabriel Valley District of the California Physical Therapy Association, recently attended the statewide Assembly of Representatives meeting in Long Beach along with WesternU student representatives Natalie Forsberg, DPT 2012, and Lindsey Liggan, DPT 2013.   

September 19, 2011

Assistant Professor Janet Konecne, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, recently consulted with a veterinary dentist in Orange County about the challenges of proper ergonomics and body mechanics for this unique clinical setting.

September 12, 2011

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Christine Eddow, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS, CHT, on her recent appointment to the Scientific Review and Mentorship Board which is part of the Research Division of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Dr. Eddow is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) as awarded by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, and has both Orthopedic (OCS) and Women’s Health (WCS) Clinical Specialization from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

September 6, 2011

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Vicky Graham, PT, DPT, OCS, NCS, Assistant Professor Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS, and Professor/Associate Dean of Research, CAHP, Donna Redman-Bentley, PT, PhD, for their role in receiving a grant for the multidisciplinary study “Effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Alone or in Combination on Balance and Visual Function in Patients with Vertigo and Somatic Dysfunction.” The $99,790 grant was awarded through the American Osteopathic Association and will support this two-year study involving COMP-OMM and the College of Optometry.

San Diego Triathlon Challenge fundraiser

A 3-year-old Claremont boy who is living life to the fullest despite multiple health problems has inspired Doctor of Physical Therapy students to raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation by competing in the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. WesternU DPT students held a “Team JJ Lunch and Learn,” featuring Joshua Miller and his mother, Laura, on Wednesday, August 31. Please click here to read more and to view a slideshow. Click here to donate to the WesternU DPT Team JJ.

August 29, 2011

WesternU and Team JJ Help Challenged Athletes

POMONA, Calif. - - A 3-year-old Claremont boy who is living life to the fullest despite multiple health problems has inspired Western University of Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).

Joshua “JJ” Miller was born with Werner mesomelic dysplasia with Hirschsprung’s disease and double outlet right ventricle. He has undergone various surgeries, including heart surgeries and having both legs amputated above the knees.

Students from WesternU’s College of Allied Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy Education met Joshua and his parents while volunteering at Camp No Limits in Big Bear in June. They formed an instant bond and, more recently, third-year DPT students Jennifer Shire and Natalie Forsberg spent an afternoon with Joshua in the park and at the Miller’s home.

“As he warmed up to us it wasn’t long before this little boy was holding your hand and telling you how excited he was to play ‘Chutes and Ladders’ with you,” Shire said. “He had the ability to melt your heart in an instant. He is so full of life and does not let his disability stop him, nor does he ever mention it or talk about it.”

Forsberg and her classmates volunteered to form athletic teams for “Team JJ,” which consists of Joshua and his support crew of family and friends, financial supporters and athletes who compete in his name to benefit people with physical challenges. A group of 25 DPT students, alumni and their friends that will compete in the San Diego Triathlon Challenge on Oct. 23, 2011 in La Jolla, Calif.

They are raising money to cover the entry fees, which benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life, according to CAF’s website.

The Miller family had thought about fundraising for the organization when Joshua turned 6 or 7, but the DPT students' excitement about competing this year convinced them to start now, said Joshua’s mother, Laura Miller. They are inspired by CAF and by Rudy Garcia-Tolson, the first double above-knee amputee to finish an Ironman Triathlon.

“That gave us hope and encouragement that Joshua will be able to do things as he grows up,” Miller said. “My husband is also a double amputee. He never rode a bike in his life until he received a hand-cycle as an adult. When we learned about Joshua’s legs at 20 weeks during pregnancy, I had the thought that he might never be able to play little league.

“Our prosthetist, Minh Tran, from Loma Linda University Medical Center, introduced us to Rudy and he showed us that it will be possible with the advances in prosthetic equipment for our son to run and ride a bike,” she said. “CAF makes it possible for individuals to get grants to receive adapted equipment above and beyond the basic necessities that medical insurance covers. Not only may Joshua be able to ride a bike but he also one day will be able to run with adaptive running legs. Something the rest of us take for granted.”

WesternU students will hold a “Team JJ Lunch and Learn,” featuring Joshua and Laura Miller, from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011 in the Health Science Center, Lecture Hall West, at WesternU, 450 E. Second St., Pomona, Calif. A pizza lunch will cost $5, with all proceeds going toward the race entry fees. This event is open to WesternU faculty, staff and students.

Supporting Joshua has helped unite the DPT students, with more than half of the Class of 2012 participating in the triathlon, Forsberg said. She has never competed in a triathlon, but she is working out every day in the gym for Joshua.

“He’s a huge motivator. He’s already a huge inspiration to people and he’s only 3 years old,” Forsberg said. “With his spirit and joy he’s already doing so much.”

Laura Miller said she hopes this is the beginning of a long-term relationship with WesternU. During the lunch, she will tell Joshua’s story and how Team JJ and WesternU can help others.

“If you’re going into working with people with disabilities, students might want to get involved when they’re young and energetic,” she said. “(The triathlon) could be an experience where they make contacts and see a big population of people with amputations and disabilities.”

Shire said that working with the Millers reminds her of why she wants to be a pediatric physical therapist.

“It's the driven, motivated family that will do anything for their 3-year-old boy to have the best life he can,” Shire said. “It's the little boy that holds your hand and tells you how excited he is to play with you. It’s being a physical therapist and teaching that little boy to walk and lead a normal life. But I also think this is why so many DPT students jumped on this opportunity to race in the triathlon and be a part of Team JJ. All of us have this passion to help individuals in any way we can without even meeting someone. All we need is one story of how we can help people and everyone jumps on board. I think this shows a lot about our program and our dedication to being physical therapists.”

For more information, please visit the websites www.teamjj.org and www.facebook.com/goteamjj. To donate to the WesternU DPT Team JJ, please visit http://sdtc11.kintera.org/dpt2012westernu.

 August 22, 2011

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Vicky Graham, PT, DPT OCS, NCS, for having two abstracts accepted for poster presentations at the Annual Conference of the American Academy of Optometry which takes place October 12-15 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Dr. Graham and Assistant Professor Kierstyn Napier, OD, FAAO (College of Optometry) authored the abstract “Screening for Mobility Problems: A Case Series”. In addition to Drs. Graham and Napier, Anne Song, OD’13, co-authored the abstract “How Does Visual Impairment Impact an Individual’s Physical Activity?”

August 14, 2011

Congratulations to Associate Professor Dayle Armstrong, PT, DPT, MS, and Professor Donna Redman-Bentley, PT, PhD, Associate Dean for Research, College of Allied Health Professions, for having their research, “Effectiveness of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI) in Measuring Differences in Capability and Performance Between Children with Sensori-Motor Disorders, Physical Disability and Typically Developing Children”, be accepted for a poster presentation at the upcoming California Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference which takes place September 22-23 in Long Beach. Dr. Mary Wardell, PT, DPT’08, is the third author on this study.

August 8, 2011

Congratulations to Associate Professor Georgeanne Vlad, PT, MA, for having her research, “Empathy Among Healthcare Professions Students”, be accepted for a podium presentation at the upcoming California Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference which takes place September 22-23 in Long Beach. This preliminary research is associated with the Interprofessional Research Grant ”Measuring Humanism Across Western University’s Health Professions in Response to Interprofessional Education (IPE)” which was awarded last year to Professor Suzie Kovacs (CVM), Dr. Beth Boynton (CVM), Dr. Richard Sugerman (COMP), and Professor Vlad (CAHP).

August 1, 2011

Congratulations to Professor David Selkowitz, PT, PhD, OCS, DAAPM, for having his research, “The Influence of Patellofemoral Pain on Hip Muscle Activation During Therapeutic Exercise: A Pilot Study Using Fine-Wire Electrodes”, be accepted for a podium presentation at the upcoming California Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference which takes place September 22-23 in Long Beach.

July 25, 2011

Seven members of the DPT Class of 2012 recently volunteered at Camp No Limits in Big Bear Lake. They joined physical therapists, occupational therapists, and prosthetists in working with children who have limb loss, on stretching, core exercises, obstacle courses, and functional activities. Camp No Limits is a non-profit organization providing camps for children with limb loss, and education, mentorship and support to those children and their families. The program, whose mission is to educate and empower young people with limb loss to discover and develop a healthy, happy and independent lifestyle, started in Maine in 2004 and now has locations in Florida, Idaho, Maryland, and Missouri, in addition to Southern California. The DPT Class of 2012 volunteers included Kelli Crouse, Natalie Forsberg, Dani Jasso, Julie Kelman, Ericka Martin, Jillian Olson, and Yvonne Ramirez.

July 18, 2011

Associate Professor Georgeanne Vlad, PT, MA, was a speaker at the 5th Annual Health Professions Conference sponsored by the Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) Caduceus Club. About 1,000 students attended the all-day event recently held on the Mt. SAC campus with this year’s theme “Piecing Together the Future of Medicine: Where Do You Fit In?” Professor Vlad participated in two panel presentations in the morning and in the afternoon addressed a group of more than 50 students interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy.

July 15, 2011

WesternU Doctor of Physical Therapy Class has perfect pass rate on National Licensure Exam

POMONA, Calif. - - All 39 graduates from WesternU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Class of 2010 passed the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure.

The national average pass rate is 87 percent. From 2006 to 2010, the overall pass rate for WesternU DPT students is 97.8 percent for 137 students, said Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy Education.

This success speaks to the quality of students coming to WesternU, coupled with the many layers of support available within the university, she said.

“It’s a combination of dedicated faculty, of students committed to learning, and the staff that supports those students and faculty,” Schilling said. “The opportunity for faculty to be able to go to continuing education, the ability for us to have equipment, is the result of university administrative support.”

The DPT program, part of the College of Allied Health Professions, reached this perfect milestone for the third time as a doctorate program. All 13 students in the charter DPT Class of 2006, all 29 students in the Class of 2008, and all 39 students in the Class of 2010 have passed the national licensure exam. Prior to 2006, graduates earned a master’s degree.

“The PT faculty are uniquely prepared through education, experience and research to provide our students with knowledge that assists them in being prepared for the National Boards and entry into the PT profession,” said College of Allied Health Professions Dean Stephanie Bowlin, EdD, PA. “Our PT students are dedicated to the PT profession, they spend long hours studying their craft, and they truly take their education seriously.”

July 11, 2011

Congratulations to the Department of Physical Therapy Education faculty for achieving 100% membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and being recognized on page 4 of the Saturday, June 11 edition of the Daily News "E"-dition of PT 2011 Daily News from the APTA’s Annual Conference and Exposition held in National Harbor, Maryland.

Congratulations to the American Physical Therapy Association student members in the DPT classes of 2013, 2012, and 2011 for achieving Silver Status in the APTA’s Student Membership Challenge. WesternU was recognized on page 8 in the Friday, June 10 edition of the Daily News "E"-dition of PT 2011 Daily News from the APTA’s Annual Conference and Exposition held recently in National Harbor, Maryland.

June 20, 2011

Allison Fitzsimons, DPT’12 and Associate Professor Casey Chaney, PT, PhD, CSCS, OCS, recently participated in a rally on Capitol Hill in which Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) addressed about 1,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy as they rallied in support of legislation to increase patient access to rehabilitative care. Tester and Wicker, sponsors of the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (S 975), spoke about the importance of adding physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program and recruiting them to rural and underserved areas. Following the event, rally participants met with their members of Congress to ask them to support S 975 and the House's companion bill HR 1426. They also advocated for the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (HR 1546/S 829), legislation that would repeal the cap on outpatient rehabilitative services for Medicare beneficiaries, and the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act (HR 469). HR 469 includes physical therapists in the multidisciplinary team of licensed health care providers that is qualified to evaluate and manage patients with concussions.

June 13, 2011

Associate Professor Casey Chaney, PT, PhD, CSCS, OCS, participated in the American Physical Therapy Association's House of Delegates meeting held last week in National Harbor, Maryland. Dr. Chaney was one of 35 delegates representing California. The three-day House of Delegates, held annually each spring, is the highest policy-making body of the APTA and is comprised of voting delegates elected from each state chapter.

June 6, 2011

Natalie Forsberg, DPT Class of 2012, was quoted in the Spring 2011 issue of the San Gabriel Valley District Newsletter of the California Physical Therapy Association on her perspective of participating in Legislative Day. Natalie was one of three students whom the district sponsored to attend the annual event inn Sacramento which is aimed at meeting with legislators and advocating for the profession of physical therapy.

May 30, 2011

Assistant Professor Janet Konecne, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, recently spoke about the human musculoskeletal system to 50 first-grade students at Heritage Oak Private School in Yorba Linda. Dr. Konecne gave the students an opportunity to see a variety of types of bones and learn how the muscles make the bones move our bodies.  After her presentation, the students participated in using a schematic puzzle to "Build a Foot". 

May 23, 2011

Associate Professor Tony Mosconi, PhD, served as a judge for the 2011 California State Science Fair which was recently held at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. This annual event consisted of science projects submitted from 1,000 high school and junior high school students from over 400 schools in the state. A volunteer group of almost 300 scientists and engineers from private industry and higher education evaluated the projects to select winners in several categories for a total of $50,000 in awards.

May 16, 2011

Associate Professor Georgeanne Vlad, PT, MA, was one of more than 15 presenters at the Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School (MASS) annual career fair held recently with over 175 students and parents in attendance. Stern MASS opened in 2006 as a unique public charter high school collaboration and is located on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). The school is designed to prepare students from East Los Angeles to be successful in four-year colleges and to be able to pursue doctoral degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

May 9, 2011

Assistant Professor Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, DPT, NCS, and nine students representing the DPT classes of 2011 and 2013 recently supported the 54th Annual Membership Meeting of the National Ataxia Foundation held in Los Angeles. Alexandra Bottorff, Venice Europa, Kristin Lee, Kellie Masuda, Tanvi Mehta, Theresa Mendoza, Raquel Ochoa, Layla Rabbani, and Deanna Senko assisted the over 700 participants in this event sponsored by the Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County Support Groups of the National Ataxia Foundation. The annual event includes medical and research presentations, social events, and opportunities to learn about the many programs sponsored by the National Ataxia Foundation.