The Arkansas Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA Arkansas, recently held statewide elections and two UCA PT faculty were elected to serve.  Dr. Steve Forbush, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, was elected as Chief Delegate to serve a three-year term.  Dr. Kevin Garrison, Interim Chairperson and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, was elected as Delegate to serve a two-year term. They will represent Arkansas Physical Therapists in the APTA House of Delegates held annually in June.

Congratulations to Dr. David Taylor and his research team on a recent publication in the Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine.

Sipe CL, Mathis RA, Killins A, and Taylor JD. Physical and cognitive evaluation of a neuroplasticity exercise program: a pilot study. Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine. 2020. Published Ahead of Print.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jansen Stein recently graduated from the UCA Doctor of Physical Therapy program on August7, 2020.  We congratulate Dr. Stein for receiving a perfect score on the National Physical Therapy Exam(NPTE).  He plans to begin his career as a physical therapist at Ortho Rehab and Specialty Center in Cabot,Arkansas.  Dr. Stein states, “Thank you to the faculty and staff of the UCA DPT program for equipping me with the skills I need to begin my career as a physical therapist. I am grateful that the Lord provided me with the opportunity to attend this program.  I feel confident in my abilities to assist mypatients achieve their goals in the future! UCA DPT is truly the best!!”   He recently received the DPT Program’s Academic Excellence Award during Convocation ceremonies.  He was also one of eleven members of the UCA Class of 2020 to be inducted into the Physical Therapy National Student Honors Society.  Dr. Stein served as the President of the DPT Class of 2020 as well.

The University of Central Arkansas Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2020 will be honored during the Physical Therapy Convocation

Ceremonies on Friday, August 7, 2020 at Reynolds.  The University will conduct Commencement Ceremonies as well on at 7:30 PM at Estes Stadium.  Both ceremonies are not open to the public due to social distancing.  The Convocation ceremony will be available via LiveStream at the following link https://livestream.com/accounts/5134699/events/9243354

Congratulations to the Graduates!

 

 

On May 28, 2020, Dr. Maresh received news from Provost Poulter that she is a finalist for the 2019-2020 UCA Public Service Award. Dr. Twala Maresh, PT, DPT is a Senior Clinical Instructor in the Department of Physical Therapy and a certified specialist in neurology. This award recognizes individuals whose service contributions to the UCA community, professional community, and other communities outside the university have been outstanding. The winner of the 2019-2020 Public Service Award will be announced during the convocation ceremony for the Fall semester in late August. Congratulations to Dr. Maresh for recognition of her outstanding service to UCA, the community and the profession of physical therapy!

Ms. Bond received the 2020 University of Central Arkansas Employee of the Year Award. President Houston Davis announced the news on May 21 via video.  As Administrative Assistant to the Chairperson and Registrar for the Department of Physical Therapy, Ms. Bond has been an invaluable asset to the Department for eleven years and is very much admired by her co-works and students alike. Such a well-deserved honor for a great person and wonderful co-worker.  In the nomination packet, her nominators said, “Her interactions with staff, students, and faculty, both inside and outside the department, always include a helpful and positive attitude. Ms. Bond is the epitome of a team player and her contributions to the work of the department are indispensable. Quite simply, she is outstanding at her job.”

 

 

The University of Central Arkansas has named Nancy Berryman Reese dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences.  Reese will represent and oversee the college, which encompasses undergraduate and graduate programs in nine departments and schools, and join a team of academic deans that implement strategies to support and enhance UCA’s mission.  The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences includes the departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Exercise and Sport Science; Family and Consumer Sciences; Health Sciences; Military Science and Leadership; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Psychology and Counseling; and the School of Nursing.  Reese will begin the position on July 1 and will report to executive vice president and provost Patricia S. Poulter.  Reese began working at UCA in 1986 as an instructor and academic coordinator for clinical education. She became an assistant professor in 1991, was tenured in 1994, and served as associate professor, then professor, from 1995 to 2004. She has served as chair of the Department of Physical Therapy since 2004, where she directs the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Ph.D. in physical therapy programs and manages program planning, assessment and accreditation. She was the first in Arkansas to be named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association and today is one of only two in Arkansas and 250 in the nation. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Leadership Program.

 

Due to social distancing requirements currently in place for COVID 19, the UCA Department of Physical Therapy is temporarily lifting the requirement for DPT Applicants to complete physical therapy observation hours for the October 1, 2020 application deadline. Students accepted into the DPT program may be required to complete observation hours or an alternative activity following acceptance if deemed necessary. We appreciate your understanding as this allows our clinical partners to focus on patient needs.

Congratulations to Dr. Leah Lowe, Dr. Charlotte Yates both faculty members of the Department of Physical Therapy and Dr. Rainey, Associate Dean of the UCA College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, on their recent publication.  Drs. Lowe, Yates and Rainey also worked with Dr. Brian Odom a UCA alumnus and current Associate Professor at Harding University and Dr. Lisa VanHoose, a UCA alumnus, former faculty member and current Associate Professor and Director of the DPT Program at University of Louisiana, Monroe.  Their article is recently published in Advances in Skin & Wound Care.

Odom BH, Lowe L, VanHoose L, Rainey J, Yates C. Examining Factors That Contribute to Delayed Wound Healing in Children with Tracheostomy Wounds. Advances in Skin & Wound Care. 2020;33(3):1–4. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000653156.13611.34.