2016 News and Events
VanHoose to Receive Service Award at CSM
Lisa VanHoose, Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy department, was awarded the 2016 Jeri F. Walton Service Award by the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She will receive the award in February at the 2017 APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
Drs. Yates and Huett Publish Article
Dr. Charlotte Yates has co-authored a publication with Dr. Elizabeth Huett (a 2015 graduate of the UCA DPT program and a 2016 graduate of the UCA Pediatric Physical Therapy residency program). The article has been accepted for publication in Pediatric Dermatology.
Huett E, Bartley W, Reasbeck CD, McKitrick-Bandy B, Yates C. 2017. Collagenase for wound debridement in the neonatal intensive care unit: A retrospective case series. Pediatric Dermatology, In press.
Dr. Lairamore to Serve on National Committees
Dr. Chad Lairamore, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, has been selected to serve on the Communication Committee of the American Interprofessional Health Collaborative (AIHC). The goal of the AIHC is improving the nation’s health through interprofessional education and practice. Dr. Lairamore has also been selected to serve on the National Interprofessional Education Consortium (NIPEC) nominating committee for the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT).
VanHoose Awarded Fellowship
Lisa VanHoose, Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy department, was awarded an UAMS Geriatric Junior Faculty Fellowship. Dr. VanHoose will work with members of the Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative on career development and research focused on aging populations. The $40,000 award will support her research project, narrowing the health disparities gap for minority and rural geriatric cancer survivors.
Drs. Yates and Lowe Awarded $50,000 Grant
Drs. Charlotte Yates and Leah Lowe were awarded $50,000 extramural funding for 2017-18 through the UAMS Center for Translational Neuroscience for their research on concussion in high school athletes. See details below:
Yates C, Lowe L, Williams DK, Aitken M. “Comprehensive dynamic movement assessment for concussion management in high school athletes” NIGMS IDeA Program award P30 GM 110702. May1, 2017- April 30, 2018. $50,000.
Dr. Booth to Serve on APTA Task Force
Dr. Misty Booth has been selected by the American Physical Therapy Association to serve on a task force to guide the conversion of its Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program to an online format. Such a transition will allow improved access to the training for Physical Therapy Clinical Instructors in health care facilities across the U.S. with less travel and on-site time required.
APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) -May 19-20, 2017
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy will host the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program on May 19-20, 2017 (Friday/Saturday) at the UCA Physical Therapy Center. The 16 hour course presented by Dr. Misty Booth provides 1.6 CEU. A discount is offered to clinical instructors at UCA Clinical Education Sites. The course is limited to 20 participants. Deadline to register is April 20, 2017. See UCA CCIP May 2017 Brochure & Registration Forms. Contact Stacey Stephens at 501-450-5549 or staceys@uca.edu for more information.
Dr. Maresh Presents at Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Dr. Twala Maresh presented a day-long course on Spinal Cord Injury Management in Pediatrics at Arkansas Children’s Hospital on October 29, 2106.
Section on Women’s Health Video Features UCA
The American Physical Therapy Association Section on Women’s Health Student Special Interest Group just released its first promotional video. The video was filmed at UCA and features UCA DPT faculty and students, including Dr. Darla Cathcart and second year student Julie Jenner. The video will be distributed to physical therapy programs across the United States and will be available on the Section on Women’s Health website. Check out the video at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI3fC0URKUE
UCA Faculty and Alumni Receive Awards from ArPTA
The Arkansas Physical Therapy Association (ArPTA) presented their annual awards on September 24 at an event in Little Rock.
Dr. Leah Lowe received the 2016 ArPTA Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes significant contribution to physical therapy in Arkansas in areas of public awareness, administration, education, patient care, or research. Dr. Lowe was recognized for her significant contributions to physical therapy in Arkansas through her extensive work on conference programming for the annual ArPTA OPTimize Conference, her clinical practice at Pediatrics Plus, and her teaching, research, and service activities as a faculty member at UCA.
Dr. Charlotte Yates received the 2016 ArPTA Outstanding Physical Therapist Award. This award recognizes a physical therapist who demonstrates outstanding clinical practice knowledge and skills and exhibits and promotes ongoing professional development. Throughout her 20 year professional career, Dr. Yates has demonstrated an exceptional drive for advancing the profession through clinical practice, teaching, research/scholarship, and service. She is an outstanding contributor to pediatric clinical practice and pediatric research, and an inspiration to developing clinicians and researchers.
Other recipients of ArPTA awards this year include 3 UCA Physical Therapy alumni:
Jordan Pridgin, DPT – 2016 graduate; awarded the Outstanding Student Clinician Award
Park Tipton, DPT – awarded the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award
Amelia Hammaker, PT, OT – also awarded the Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award
Faculty and Students Accepted for CSM 2017
Several physical therapy faculty members (bold) and students have had research papers accepted for presentation at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in San Antonio, TX in February 2017.
Garrison, Kevin; Lairamore, Chad; Choate, Jessica*; Sharum, Stephanie*; Smith, MIchael*; Synco, Geofff*. “A Comparison of Two Electrode Montages for Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to the Lower Extremity Motor Cortex.”
Reese, Nancy; Booth, Melissa; Tenbrink, Joel; Bowman, Donna; Garg, HIna; Alexander, Travis*; Koenig, Karl*; Moix, Jessie*; Palmer, Caitlin*; Smith, Sarah*. “Use of the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) Tool to Measure Clinical Outcomes in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students”
Huett, Elizabeth**; Bartley, Whitney; Morris, Darla; Reasbeck, C; McKitrick-Bandy, Beth; Yates, Charlotte. “Collagenase for wound debridement in the neonatal intensive care unit: A retrospective case series.”
*Denotes current UCA DPT student
** Denotes Former UCA DPT student and Pediatric Resident
Dr. VanHoose to present Symposium on Lymphedema at CSM 2017
Dr. Lisa VanHoose has recently had a symposium accepted for presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting which will be held in San Antonio, TX in February 2017. The title of her symposium is “Lymphedema Risk Reduction: Best Practices”.
Dr. Lairamore on Experts Panel at UAMS
Dr. Chad Lairamore of the Department of Physical Therapy recently spoke as part of the Ask the experts panel: Best Practices on post stroke rehabilitation at the 17th Annual Geriatrics and Long Term Care Update at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on Friday 9/23/2016.
Dr. Yates to Publish in Acta Paediatrica
Dr. Charlotte Yates recently had an article accepted in Acta Paediatrica. This publication is the result of a multi-year, multi-site (UCA, UAMS, Stanford University) randomized control trial (RCT) that also involved preliminary research to obtain FDA approval for use of the device in a neonatal population. The background research, carried out by Dr. Yates and Dr. Leah Lowe, generated the following publication: Yates C, Mitchell A, Lowe L, Lee A, Hall RW. Safety of Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points (NESAP) during a routine neonatal heel stick. Medical Acupuncture. 2013; 25(4):285-290. PMC: 3746213. DOI: 10.1089/acu.2012.0952.
The RCT was just accepted for publication : Mitchell A, Hall RW, Yates C, Williams DK, Anand S. Does Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points (NESAP) reduce heelstick pain in neonates? Acta Paediatrica, In press.
Anatomy Course Planned for UCA Homecoming October 22
Dr. Bruce Mendelson will present “A Cadaver Anatomy based Approach to the Clinical Anatomy of Sports Injury Rehabilitation” for PT Alumni Weekend and UCA Homecoming on Saturday, October 22. The course will be held from 8:30 – 3:00 in the UCA Gross Anatomy Lab and is approved by the AR State Board for 5 contact hours. Dr. Mendelson is a former UCA PT faculty member and physical therapist currently practicing in Oregon. In recent years, he has taught the Advanced Anatomy course in the UCA DPT program. Click here for course brochure and registration information for this course.
APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) -November 4 & 5
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy will host the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program on November 4-5, 2016 (Friday/Saturday) at the UCA Physical Therapy Center. The 16 hour course presented by Dr. Misty Booth provides 1.6 CEU. A discount is offered to clinical instructors at UCA Clinical Education Sites. The course is limited to 20 participants. Deadline to register is October 5, 2016. See November 2016 Brochure & Registration. Contact Stacey Stephens at 510-450-5549 or staceys@uca.edu for more information.
Dr. Lowe Receives Pediatric Specialty
Dr. Leah Lowe, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, has become a Certified Pediatric Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as of June 2016. This increases the number of Certified Pediatric Specialists on faculty at UCA to four, providing excellent support for our Pediatric Residency Program.
Log Cabin Article Regarding UCA PT Program Ranked 3rd
Dr. Reese was interviewed by the local paper regarding the recent ranking of the UCA Physical Therapy program. The article (UCA Physical Therapy Department receives top ranking _ TheCabin) is also available at on-line at this link.
UCA ranked 3rd in Nation for PT
“The 2016 Top Graduate Program rankings represent graduate schools and programs all across the nation and are based on student reviews. Due to extremely high student satisfaction ratings, the University of Central Arkansas made the rankings at #3 in Physical Therapy degrees! The full rankings are available here:http://www.graduateprograms.com/school-rankings/physical-therapy”
Dr. VanHoose Promotes Oncologic Physical Therapy
On June 7, 2016, the American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates approved RC 8-16. The motion identifies oncologic physical therapy as a new clinical specialty within the field. Assistant Professor Lisa VanHoose and Past President of the Oncology Section of the APTA was instrumental in the proposal submission and passage of the motion.
Students & Faculty Raise $1,200 for PT Research
UCA DPT students and faculty recently held Georges for Georges fundraiser on July 5, 2016 to raise money for the Foundation of Physical Therapy’s Marquette Challenge to fund physical therapy research. Each professor had a jar for quarters that the students could fill. To prevent being doused the professors had to match each quarter in their jar with $1.00. This fundraiser raised over $1,200 for physical therapy research.
Leaping Beyond Adaptive Triathlon Held at UCA
DPT Students recently volunteered for Arkansas’ first ever adaptive triathlon. The event’s purpose is to raise awareness and funding for Leaping Beyond’s adaptive sports programs. Children with all disabilities ages 6-21 years were invited to participate. Pediatric therapists available along with volunteers from the community volunteered to ensure inclusion, confidence, and completion of the adaptive triathlon. The event was held on June 4, 2016 at the University of Arkansas. For more information, please contact Cristina Frey, PT, DPT at cfrey@leapingbeyond.com or visit Leaping Beyond.
UCA Wins Most Creative Fundraiser Award for Pittsburgh-Marquette Challenge
UCA PT Students recently received the Most Creative Fundraiser Award for the 2015-2016 Pittsburgh-Marquette Challenge by the Foundation of Physical Therapy. UCA DPT students decorated secondhand sweaters for Christmas and sold them in a a surprise brown bag. In a news release dated 6-21-2016, the Foundation for Physical Therapy announced the UCA student’s award and reported that students from 150 schools raised a record $354,320.00 to support physical therapy research. UCA students were recognized on June 9th at the APTA’s NEXT Conference and Exposition in Nashville, TN.
Department Newsletter Spring 2016
Department news is now available in the first edition of the PT Pulse published in February 2016. Please contact Dr. Cathcart at dcathcart@uca.edu with Subject Line: “The Pulse” with news if you would like to share in the next edition. UCA PT Newsletter 2016 Spring
Charlotte Fant
With heavy hearts, we share the news of the unexpected passing of Charlotte Fant on February 15, 2016. She has been a friend and valuable asset to the Department of Physical Therapy for many years. She will be missed both personally and professionally. Ms. Fant joined the Department of Physical Therapy in October of 2004. She served as academic advisor for Pre-Physical Therapy and was the advisor for the UCA Pre-Physical Therapy Club. Ms. Fant was a finalist for UCA’s Employee of the Year for 2010 and 2011 and was named UCA Employee of the Year for 2012. A memorial service was held on the UCA campus on February 25, 2016. The Charlotte Mills Fant Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in her memory. If you wish to make a donation you may click here.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM 2016)
February 17 – 20, 2016
UCA Physical Therapy faculty and students recently attended the annual Combined Sections meeting of the APTA held in Anaheim, California.
The following is a list of UCA PT presentations:
PLATFORM PRESENTATION, Friday
PEDIATRIC SECTION
Platform Presentation, Friday, February 19, 8:30 AM
Speaker: Charlotte Yates, PT, PhD, PCS
Yates C, Mitchell A, Huett E, Hall W. “Neonatal Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points: Can Alternative Therapy Relieve Heel Stick Pain in Neonates?
POSTER SESSIONS, Thursday – Saturday
RESEARCH SECTION
Thursday, February 18, 1:00-3:00
Higgins G, Williams E, Bass C, Price C, Etherton R, Lairamore C. “Reliability of the Simi-Aktisys Video Based Motion Analysis System for Measuring Ankle Dorsiflexion Angle During Gait in Patients with Chronic Foot Drop.”
CONTROL ID: 2340178
NEUROLOGY SECTION
Friday, February 19, 1:00-3:00
Dougherty E, Chronister K, McMullen K, Parnell R, Williams L, Lairamore C. “Comparison of clinical measures to determine their responsiveness to tDCS”
CONTROL ID: 2340164
PEDIATRIC SECTION
Saturday, February 20, 1:00-3:00
(1) Yates C, Mitchell A, Hood C, Glendenning J, Hall RW, Carroll J. Does Infant Positioning Influence Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Preterm Infants?
(2) Huitt E, Mitchell A, Leonard E, Hall RW, Yates C. Comparison of outcome measures for assessment of acute pain for term infants.
(3) Lowe, L. Collaborative Role of Physical Therapy in an Occupational Therapy Sensory Integrative Intensive Program”
EDUCATION SECTION
Women’s Health
Saturday, February 20, 11:00-1:00
Vanhoose, L. Boldness, Brass, and Stilettos: Climbing the Career Ladder. (WH-3B-0214)
Upcoming Clinical Education Course
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy will host the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program May 13-14, 2016 (Friday/Saturday) at the UCA Physical Therapy Center. The 15 hour course presented by Dr. Misty Booth provides 1.5 CEU. A discount is offered to clinical instructors at UCA Clinical Education Sites. The course is limited to 20 participants. Deadline to register is April 13, 2016. See UCA CCIP MAY 2016 Brochure & Registration Form. Contact Stacey Stephens at 510-450-5549 or staceys@uca.edu for more information.
Dr. Maresh appointed to TRIUMPH
Dr. Twala Maresh, Senior Clinical Instructor in the Department of Physical Therapy, was recently appointed as the physical therapy consultant for the Arkansas Trauma and Rehabilitation’s TRIUMPH (Tele-Rehabilitation Interventions Through University-based Medicine for the Promotion of Healing) call center. The Triumph call center is a 24/7 service linking primary care and emergency physicians, as well as individual Arkansans, to cutting edge clinical information for the care and treatment of spinal cord injury. It offers phone-based or interactive-video-based, on-the-spot nurse/physician-to-physician consultation as well as 24/7 patient and family support. Dr. Maresh serves as the physical therapist expert for this program, offering expert advice on physical therapy and rehabilitation for individuals with SCI to physicians and other health care professionals in Arkansas.
Open House – October 30
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy recently hosted an Open House in the Physical Therapy Center on Friday, October 30, 2015. Guests were able to tour the PT Center and meet Department of Physical Therapy students and faculty from 3:00-6:00 PM. The Open House was also open to PT and PTA alumni visiting Conway for UCA Homecoming Weekend.
PT Alumni Weekend Course – October 31 -Staffan Elgelid
The 2015 PT Alumni Weekend CEU course was presented by Dr. Staffan Elgelid entitled “What PT can incorporate from Yoga. Or, how to Yogafy what we already do in PT” on Saturday, October 31. This 5.5 contact hour course from 9:00-4:00 includes lab activities. Staffan is the co-author of Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety, which was recently released on September 8.
APTA Credentialed CI Course – November 13-14
The UCA Physical Therapy Department recently hosted the APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program presented by Dr. Misty Booth on November 13-14. The next course is being planned for April, 2016.