A team of researchers will highlight the developing role of school-based occupational therapists serving secondary students with disabilities at the Fifth Annual Secondary Transition State Planning Institute in Charlotte, NC, May 17 – 20, 2011. The intent of this federally-supported institute is to support state transition teams in the delivery of services that can most effectively improve national post-secondary transition outcomes. Doris Pierce, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA and Karen Summers, M.S., OTR/L, of Eastern Kentucky University, and Tina Mankey, Ed.D., OTR/L, of the University of Central Arkansas, will provide a workshop in which transition planning teams will use current occupational therapy research and demonstration projects to plan best use of existing occupational therapy resources to improve post-secondary transition outcomes in their home states.
Dr. Charlotte Yates and Dr. Kevin Garrison, assistant professors in the Physical Therapy Department, presented research recently at the American Physical Therapy Associations Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans. Drs. Yates and Garrison were assisted by Doctor of Physical Therapy students Allison Burba-Horgan and Brittany Sexson, both of the DPT Class scheduled to graduate in August 2011, as well as two researchers from UAMS. Their abstracts and poster presentations were titled:“Outcome Measures for Exploring the Mechanisms of Hyper-Reflexia and Spasticity that Develops Post SCI in the Rat and the Effects of Passive Exercise Intervention on Each Outcome Measure.” Yates, CC, Garrison K, Burba-Horgan A, Franz J and“Regional CX-36 Changes Following Complete SCI and Interventions in the Rat.” Garrison K, Yates CC, Charlesworth A, Sexson B, Burba-Horgan A
Park Tipton, Doctor of Physical Therapy student in the DPT Class scheduled to graduate in August 2011, presented research completed with former UCA faculty member Dr. Hao Liu, now of University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and Dr. Clayton Holmes also of the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Their abstract and poster presentation entitled “Effect of a Selected 6-Form Tai Chi on Improvement in Balance and Quality of Life Among Older Adults” was presented at the American Physical Therapy Associations Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans.
Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist John Consalvi Shares Insight
John Consalvi, CCC-SLP, a bilingual speech-language pathologist and owner of Lingua Health and Groupo Lingua, visited the UCA Speech-Language Pathology Department on March 30-31. Bilingual speech-language pathology is a major growth area as the U.S. has an increase in individuals whose first language is not English.
Consalvi presented a lecture on bilingual speech-language pathology and how to provide speech and language services with clients of different cultures and languages. His second presentation, on entrepreneurial speech-language pathology, encouraged students to consider their passions and turn those passions into innovative goods and services for the profession. He explained how his passion to improve bilingual speech-language pathology service led him to start the first bilingual staffing company for speech-language pathology and to created Spanish language therapy materials. Consalvi also had lunch with the department’s student group, Comida y Conversacion, which encourages students to learn about bilingual speech-language pathology.
Morgan Bennett Receives Cynthia B. Cole Outstanding Fieldwork Educator Award for 2010
The Occupational Therapy Department presented the Cynthia B. Cole Outstanding Fieldwork Educator Award for 2010 to Morgan Maxwell Bennett, MS, OTR/L.
Morgan is a pediatric occupational therapist at Kidsource Therapy located in Benton, Arkansas, and she is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association. In addition to her work in the clinic, Morgan assists in Special Olympics events and fundraising for Freedom Reins, Kidsource’s new hippotherapy program. Recently, she developed a tennis clinic for children with special needs that will take place in the fall of 2011 in partnership with the Arkansas Tennis Association.
In 2007, the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas established the Cynthia B. Cole Outstanding Fieldwork Educator Award to recognize exemplary practitioners that provide clinical education reflecting the values of the profession of occupational therapy. This award was named in honor of Cynthia B. Cole. Mrs. Cole not only acted as the academic coordinator for several years but she also excelled in her commitment to fieldwork education, students, the university and the profession. Nominations by occupational therapy students and faculty are based on the individual’s ability to use occupation as the core of their practice. In this spirit, Morgan was nominated for her exceptional contributions within the community as well as to her clients and occupational therapy students.
2009 Alumnus Honored as Hero
Todd Ross, LAT, ATC, a 2009 Kinesiology graduate from the Athletic Training Education Program, was responsible for saving a spectator’s life. He is employed by OrthoSurgeons and serves as the head athletic trainer at Pulaski Academy. Lauren Knight, a senior in the UCA ATE Program, was interning with Todd Ross at the time. She was able to assist Todd and others during the emergency situation. The UCA family is very proud of both Todd and Lauren as their quick and deliberate actions helped save a life.Below is a statement written and shared by Bill Mott, President of Pulaski Academy in a press release after the event:
Seldom is there an opportunity to witness a hero in action. Last night I was privileged to see one of our own display his skills, training, and professionalism in the midst of a genuine crisis. One of the spectators at the Regional Basketball Tournament collapsed and was in serious distress. Our amazing Athletic Trainer, Todd Ross, was on the scene immediately and knew exactly what to do. The individual stopped breathing and Todd’s quick action in using the defibrillator literally saved the man’s life.My sincere thanks and congratulations to Todd, as well as Kevin Kelley, Tim Johnson, Roger Franks and everyone on the scene whose response was instrumental in making a difference. The police, fire, and paramedics were all very complimentary of the way in which Todd responded.Please join me in thanking Todd for job very well done!
Ingram Receives Undergraduate Research Award from National Athletic Trainer’s Association
Lyndsey Ingram, a senior in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education majoring in athletic training, received one of five undergraduate research awards from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. She will present her research study, entitled “Reliability and validity of measuring scapular upward rotation using an electrical inclinometer,” this June at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia in New Orleans, LA. Steve Tucker, PhD, ATC, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, was the faculty mentor and co-author on the study.
Lyndsey was also this year’s recipient of the Fletcher B. Lowry Award. This is an award presented annually to the outstanding student in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Lyndsey was chosen by our own faculty to represent the department based on her outstanding academic endeavors and her exceptional service in volunteer work and extracurricular organizations.
Publications and Presentations
Nail, P. R., & Boniecki, K.(2011). Inconsistency in cognition: Cognitive dissonance. In D. Chadee (Ed.), Theories in social psychology. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.MacDonald, G., Nail, P. R.,& Harper, J. (2011). Do people use reverse psychology? An exploration of strategic self-anticonformity. Social Influence, 6, 1-14.
Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Engaging activities for students who are learning research methods. In R. L. Miller (Ed.), Student Engagement in Psychology Courses. E-book published online by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology. http://teachpsych.org/resources/e-books/e-books.php.
Hopper, J., Archie, D., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Conversation hour: Practical methods of obtaining feedback as a first-time instructor. Presented at Southwestern Psychological Association, San Antonio, TX.
Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Conversation Hour: Tips for Getting Into Graduate School and Upcoming Changes to the GRE. Presented at Southwestern Psychological Association, San Antonio, TX.
Gibbs, V., Simpson, A., Smith, B., Trigg, A., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). How surface texture affects perception of personality. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Ahne, J., Cobian, Y., Conley, C., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Understanding body language. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Emerson, A., Salling, A., Stallings, S., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). A look at intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation in higher education. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
DeYoung, M., Dillon, M., Wood, K., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Shades of red, eyes of green: An examination of rejection as a fuel for jealousy. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Lyra, S., Colvert, B., Carter, J., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Aggressive personality and dream content. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Cole, C., Holzhauer, D. A., Hudson, S., & Lammers, W. J.(April, 2011). Neuroticism, self-esteem, and use of music for emotional regulation. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Koscik, L., Munson, R., Knight, C., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Do similar personalities attract? Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Gambill, R., Mitchell, D., Proctor, C., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Religion and rationality: When oil meets water. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Matos, S., Mendelssohn, S., Erby, R., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Anxiety levels in relation to drinking habits. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Kumari, K. & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Barriers to the student-professor connection: Professors’ perspectives. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Cobian, Y., Wood, M., & Lammers, W. J. (April, 2011). Exploring reasons why students do not seek help from professors. Presented at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, University of Arkansas-Monticello.