May 2011
RFUMS Class of 1983 alumn, G. Kelly Fitzgerald, PT, PhD, OCS, FAPTA has received the prestigious American Physical Association Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing.
The Golden Pen Award was established in 1964 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Physical Therapy. In 2006, APTA’s Board of Directors renamed the award to honor the memory and accomplishments of the late Jules M. Rothstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA. Dr. Rothstein was one of the most influential scholars in the history of the physical therapy profession, and his impact on the science, practice and peer-reviewed publication was extraordinary. Although Dr Rothstein made innumerable contributions to the physical therapy profession, his work on behalf of Physical Therapy was his most important work. Dr Rothstein served as Editor and Editor in Chief for 15 years and worked tirelessly to improve the quality and relevance of the articles that the Journal published. As Editor in Chief, he took great pride and joy in presenting the Golden Pen Award each year at Annual Conference. In addition, through his Editor’s Notes and presentations at professional meetings worldwide, Dr Rothstein addressed timely and essential issues related to professional writing, and by doing so, he inspired an entire generation of clinicians and scientists to become better writers.
April 2011
Each year the Illinois Physical Therapy Association gives several awards that recognize the efforts of clinicians, educators and leaders toward the advancement of the physical therapy profession. This year the Department was honored by two recipients.
Dr. Donna Frownfelter was honored with the Babette Sanders Leadership and Service Award. This prestigious award formerly named the Outstanding Physical Therapist Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional level of support and dedication to physical therapy through his or her support and/or roles in the national and/or state association. Faculty and Vice Chair of the College of Health Professions, Dr. Judy Stoecker was a previous recipient of this award in 2009.
Third-year student Kristen Smigelski was honored as the 2011 Outstanding Physical Therapist Student. This award is given to an outstanding Physical Therapy and/or an outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Student to recognize those students who exhibit superior scholastic ability and potential for future professional contribution. It is the second straight year that a RFUMS Physical Therapy student was recipient of this award. Dr. Giovanni Berardi, Class of 2010, received the award in 2010.
March 2011
Department of Physical Therapy Faculty, Dr. Heather Henderson was recently featured in the American Physical Therapy Association's Neurology Section Member Spotlight for her work with the Department Neuro Clinic. The Clinic allows second year students the unique opportunity to evaluation and treat individuals with neurological dysfunction over an 8 week period. In addition, Dr. Henderson provdes support and direction to the Balance Clinic and Orthopedic Clinics which also allow students to interact with various patient populations. Read more about the clinic and Dr. Henderson here.
The 2011 CHP Job Fair was held on Thursday, March 24 in the Union. Twenty local hospital and clinical sites were on campus to recuit students from various CHP programs. The event was corrdinated by the DPT Class of 2012 and Sponsored by the Department of Physical Therapy and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management with proceeds to benefit the 2011 Marquette - Pittsburgh Challenge for Physical Therapy research.
February 2011
Several faculty members in the Department of Physical Therapy attended and presented at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans February 9-12, 2011. Matthew Nuciforo, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS presented a research poster presentation entitled, "Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Following Failed Hemiarthroplasty: A Case Report." Donna Frownfelter, PT, DPT, MA, CCS, RRT, FCCP presented presentations entitled, "Patients with Congestive Heart Failure" and "Dealing with Patients with CVP in the Home Care Environment."
November 2010
Jeffrey Damaschke PT, DPT, OCS, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, has been elected Vice President of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA) and will assume office on January 1, 2011. Dr. Damaschke was recently awarded the very prestigious "Emerging Leader Award" by the IPTA in 2010.
October 2010
Clarissa Fischer, DPT 3, was recently honored with the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) Scholarship of Excellence. The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions sponsors a scholarship program for allied health students enrolled in its member schools. The purpose of the scholarship program is to recognize outstanding students in the allied health professions who are achieving excellence in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in the allied health professions. Mrs. Fischer was recognized for her academic achievements, service to the institution and the community, and leadership.
September 2010
Over 60 friends, family, alumni, and students teed it up on a brisk September afternoon for the 2010 RFUMS PT Golf Classic held at Lake Bluff Golf Club on Saturday September 18, 2010. A dinner and silent auction followed the day, raising over $2000 dollars for the Miami-Marquette Challenge
The “Challenge” is a grassroots fundraising effort undertaken by physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students each year to help the Foundation of Physical Therapy accomplish their mission to fund research in the field. Students at Marquette University first initiated the challenge in 1988 and serve as the permanent sponsor. The annual campaign total has steadily increased over the years. In 1989, students from 14 schools raised $7,400. Last year, as part of the 21st Annual Marquette Challenge, students from 63 schools raised over $200,000 for the Foundation, bringing the total funds raised through the Marquette Challenge to just under 2 million dollars! This will be the fifthteenth year students at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science are participating in the Challenge. For 10 consecutive years, RFUMS has achieved at least Honorable Mention for amount of funds raised.
Miami-Marquette Challenge donations are designated for research related to the effectiveness of physical therapist practice. The funding is in the form of research grants for physical therapists conducting scientific and clinical research that seek to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and assess the interaction between patient characteristics and therapeutic methods.
June 2010
Several physical therapy students and faculty members in the Department of Physical Therapy presented their research at the 2010 APTA National Conference in Boston on June 17.
Dr. Jeffrey Damaschke and 3rd year students Elizabeth Kronenberg and Clarissa Fischer (pictured above) presented a poster entitled "Correlation Between the Clinical Single Leg Stance Test (SLST) and 3 -dimensional (3D) Body Segment Motion Using a 3D Accelerometer/3D Gyroscope: A Pilot Study." Their abstract received the Recognition of Excellence Award for its representation of the APTA Vision Statement for Physical Therapy 2020.
Dr. Mary Rahlin presented a poster entitled "Development and Content Validity of the Therapy Behavior Scale"
Dr. Rosanne Thomas and Dr. Donna Frownfelter presented a Pre-conference Course entitled, "Balancing, Breath Control, and Function: Integrating Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Considerations into Treatment of the Neurological Population."
May 2010
Alongside many of their College of Health Professions colleagues, the first year students received their white coats on Thursday, May 6th. This ceremony marks the end of the first academic year and is a rite of passage prior to the first clerkship experience. Congratulations to all 40 DPT 1s and good luck in the clinic.
April 2010
Giovanni Berardi, a 3rd year DPT student, received the prestigious "Outstanding Physical Therapist Student" Award by the Illinois Physical Therapy Association. The award recognizes an outstanding Physical Therapy Student who exhibits superior scholastic ability and potential for future professional contribution. Mr. Berardi along with PT Faculty member Dr. Karen Stevens and 3rd year students, Eric Infante, Robert Kane, and Kristi McGuinness recently presented a poster entitled "Interrater and Intrarater Reliability in the Assessment of Accessory Motion at the Glenohumeral Joint with and without Scapular Stabilization: A Pilot Study" at the 2010 APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego. Mr. Berardi will graduate in June. Congratulations Giovanni!
Dr. Jeffrey Damaschke PT, DPT, OCS Assistant Professor in the Deparment of Physical Therapy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science was recently awarded the very prestigious "Emerging Leader Award" by the Illinois Physical Therapy Association. The award recognizes an individual for their development of leadership skills at the district and state level. Dr. Damaschke is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association and is currently the Chair of the Northern District of the IPTA, an Illinois delegate to the APTA House of Delegates, and an active member of the APTA.
The April issue of Today in PT features the research of Department Faculty Member Mary Rahlin PT, DHS, PCS on how music enhances pediatric physical therapy outcomes. Click here to read all about it.
The Department of Physical Therapy and the Office of Student Life in conjunction with The College of Health Professions at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science hosted the 1st Annual CHP Job Fair to benefit the Marquette Challenge for physical therapy research on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. About 100 students from all CHP departments and 19 healthcare employers participated. Click here to see photos of the event.
Physical Therapy Department Faculty member and co-director or the Interdisciplinary Teams course at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Susan Tappert PT, DPT was recently featured in the April Issue of PT in Motion highlighting interprofessional healthcare education programs. PT in Motion is a monthly magazine published by the American Physical Therapy Association covering management, legislative, cultural, and other issues related to practice. Dr. Tappert is also Chairperson of the Interprofessional Healthcare Studies Department in additional to serving as faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy. Click here to read the full article.
February 2010
Several physical therapy students and faculty members in the Department of Physical Therapy presented their research at the 2010 APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego.
Dr. Karen Stevens, Dr. Heather Henderson, and Dr. Kelly Hawthorne presented a platform presentation entitled "A Comparison of Methods for Setting Passing Scores in Standardized Simulated Patient Experiences in Physical Therapy Education." Physical Therapy students are involved in several simulated patient experiences in the state of the art Education and Evaluation Center throughout the curriculum.
Dr. Jeffrey Damaschke and 3rd year student James Grunst presented a poster entitled "The Use of Plain Film Imaging in a Direct Access Setting for Differential Diagnosis of Anterior Hip Pain: A Case Report."
Dr. Karen Stevens and 3rd year students Giovanni Berardi, Eric Infante, Robert Kane, and Kristi McGuinness presented a poster entitled "Interrater and Intrarater Reliability in the Assessment of Accessory Motion at the Glenohumeral Joint with and without Scapular Stabilization: A Pilot Study."
2009 graduate of the Department of Physical Therapy, Dr. Joanne Leong, and Department Faculty Dr. Roberta Henderson, Dr. Diana Hunter, and Dr. Donna Frownfelter presented a poster entitled "Cardiovascular Effects and Energy Expenditure in Healthy Normal Children during Horseback Riding: A Pilot Study."
Dr. Roberta Henderson and 2009 graduates Drs. Kristin Gronner, Michelle Laughlin, Nicole O'Brien, Kristy Paquette, and Jennifer York presented a poster entitled "Physiological Effects of Nordic Walking Versus Regular Fast Walking on Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study."
Dr. Donna Frownfelter presented an Educational Programming Course in the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section entitled "Quitters are Winners - The Role of PTs in Smoking Cessation."
Dr. Donna Frownfelter was recently honored with the 2010 Section Mentor Award by the APTA Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section. The award honors individuals with distinguished careers resulting in the mentoring of professionals who went on to serve others through their teaching, scholarship, and/or clinical practice. Additional criteria include the development of an effective environment for high quality clinical practice, teaching and scholarship, and fostering the development of talents in others, including effective patient care, research skills, teaching ability, presentation and writing skills. Dr. Frownfelter has been a prior recipient of the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section Award of Merit and the Linda Crane Lectureship.
May 2009
For the 10th straight year, Rosalind Franklin University has received recognition as one of the top contributors to the the Marquette Challenge. This year we were among 21 schools receiving honorable mention. Students at Marquette University created the Challenge to raise money to benefit needed physical therapy research. Over the last 21 years, the Challenge has raised over 1.4 million dollars. Student fundraising through the Challenge enables the Foundation to provide research grants and doctoral scholarships that would not be possible without the support of schools such as ours. Congratulations to the Class of 2010 on a successful Challenge.
Several faculty members in the Department of Physical Therapy were recently honored at the College of Health Professions Faculty Award Ceremony on April 16, 2009. Dr. Karen Stevens was honored with the "Outstanding Faculty Teaching" Award for her ongoing excellence in teaching. The "2009 Professional Scholarship" CHP Award was bestowed upon Dr. Donna Frownfelter for her work on professional publications and continuing education. Her most recent book that she co-edited, entitled Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy; Evidence and Practice is the primary text used in many Physical and Respiratory Therapy Programs. Dr. Kelly Hawthorne received the "Outstanding Advisor Award" for her dedication, recognition of student issues, and responsiveness to the needs of her advisees. As Director of Clinical Education, Dr. Hawthorne is also involved with the advising of all students in the program as part of the clinical portion of the curriculum.
Two Department of Physical Therapy faculty members were honored at the University Faculty Award Ceremony. Dr. Susan Tappert was honored with the Rosalind Franklin Award for Excellence in Service to the University. In addition to her faculty role within the Department of Physical Therapy, she serves as Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Interprofessional Healthcare Studies. Dr. Tappert is program director for the Women’s Health programs and co-director of the introductory interprofessional course for all incoming first year students. She is recognized for her committment to interprofessional education.
Dr. Roberta Henderson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy was honored as an Inaugural Inductee into the Rosalind Franklin University Master Teaching Guild. The Guild honors oustanding and innovative faculty leaders. She has previously received the 2007 Rosalind Franklin University Lawrence R. Medoff Award for outstanding contributions to Research, Teaching and Clinical Care.
April 2009
Dr. Judith Stoecker, Associate Professor and Vice Dean of the College of Health Professions at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science was recently awarded the very prestigious "Outstanding Physical Therapist" Award by the Illinois Physical Therapy Association. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional level of support and dedication to physical therapy for her support and roles in national and state associations. Dr. Stoecker is a recognized leader in education as the Editor for the Journal of Physical Therapy Education (JOPTE). She has previously received the 2003 Lawrence Medoff Award for outstanding contribution to the University.