2015 News and Events
Welcome New Students: DPT Class of 2018
The Department of Physical Therapy welcomed the incoming DPT students during Orientation held on August 19, 2015. The PT Club and DPT Class of 2017 along with faculty, staff, and UCA administration provided a warm welcome and an opportunity to get to know each other before starting their classes on August 24.
2015 PT Student Scholarships Awarded
The Department of Physical Therapy recently awarded PT student scholarships on Friday, August 7 during DPT Convocation at Reynolds Performance Hall. Nat Grubbs and family presented the Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship to Taylor Wood and Chris Rigsby, both third year students in the DPT Class of 2016. Dr. Nancy Reese presented the Joe Finnell Scholarship to second year students Sarah Smith and Chelsea Dyson as well as third year students Chris Rigsby and Taylor Wood. Dr. Margaret McGee presented the Thomas Meadows Scholarship to Rachel Roberts, a second year DPT student. All PT scholarships are a result the continued generous support by PT Alumni and Friends through annual giving.
DPT Convocation August 2015
The DPT Class of 2015 celebrated their graduation on Friday, August 7 during the Physical Therapy Convocation ceremony held in Reynolds Performance Hall. Dr. Twala Maresh, Senior Clinical Instructor, provided the keynote address for the 2015 DPT Class of 56 graduates. The class selected their classmate Michael Pharis to provide the Student Address to the class. Elizabeth Huett and Sarah Walker were announced as the recipients of the Outstanding DPT Students for 2015, an award bestowed upon them by their classmates. The Department of Physical Therapy also recognized students in the DPT Class of 2015 with twenty-eight Student Excellence Awards. Cortney Barnhill, DPT 2015 Class President, was presented the Leadership Excellence Award. Sarah Walker received the Clinical Excellence Award, an award which is nominated by clinicians. Kristian Foster and Erin Petty were presented the Service Excellence Award. Kristian was recognized for her work with the PT Club and Erin was recognized for her work coordinating participation in the Vilonia tornado relief effort. Eight students were presented the Research Excellence Award including Caleb Cross, Julie Foerster, Kristian Foster, Carly Hood, Elizabeth Huett, Joanna Sence, Nathan Tiarks, and Sarah Walker. In addition, sixteen students received the Academic Excellence Award for achieving a 3.90 or above GPA for the DPT program. Students, family, guests, and faculty attended a reception immediately following. UCA Commencement ceremonies were later held in the Farris Center.
UCA at PT Virtual Fair April 28-29, 2015
The Department of Physical Therapy will participated in the DPT Education Virtual Fair for pre-DPT Students on April 28-29, 2015. This event is free to pre physical therapy students. UCA will participate again in Spring 2016.
UCA PT Open House held April 17
The Department of Physical Therapy recently hosted an open house on Friday, April 17, 2015 from 2:30-4:30. Guests had the opportunity to meet with faculty and students while touring the Physical Therapy Center during this recent drop-in event. The Physical Therapy Center is located on Bruce Street next to the football stadium.
Save the Date – October 31, 2015
Save the Date: The next UCA Homecoming and PT Alumni Weekend will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015. More information to follow.
APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program – Van Buren, AR
UCA recently hosted the APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, 2015 at Summit Medical Center in Van Buren, AR in conjunction with the Carl Albert State College PTA Program. The course was presented Dr. Misty Booth.
Cathcart Named Volunteer of the Year – Women’s Health Section
Dr. Darla Cathcart, PT, DPT, WCS, Instructor in the Department of Physical Therapy, was recently named as the Women’s Health Section 2015 Volunteer of the Year. The Award for her dedication, support and commitment to serve in the Entry Level Curriculum Task Force was presented during the APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2015 in Indianapolis by Wendy Featherstone, PT, DPT, President of the Women’s Health Section of the APTA.
UCA Physical Therapy Presents at CSM 2015 – Indianapolis
Panel Discussion: Promoting Transition from NICU to EI. Charlotte Yates, Jane Sweeney, Bertie Gatlin, and Sue Hausch
Educational Symposium: Problem Solving Complex Seating and Mobility Technology Needs for Individuals with SCI. Twala Maresh, Allison Fracchia, Cindy Smith
Team-based Learning in a Gross Anatomy Laboratory Improves Academic Performance, Student Perceptions of Teamwork and Fosters Quality Learning in Team Interactions. This platform presentation for the Education Section was presented by Anita Killins, UCA PhD in Physical Therapy student, and Dr. Tiffany Huitt.
Reliability of a 2-D Motion Analysis System During Gait. Lairamore C, Cross C*, DeCoursey A*, DeMiere K*, Dobbs N*, Driedric C*, Edwards J*
The Effect of Varying Forearm, Elbow and Shoulder Position on Glenohumeral Extension ROM Measures of Asymptomatic Subjects in the Supine and Prone Positions. Tiarks N*, Sense J*, Taylor D, Fletcher J.
Comparison of Isokinetic Resistance and Cross-sectional Area of the Supraspinatus Using Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Steve Forbush, Sarah Walker*, Katie Wallace*, Jessica Winberry*, Ashton Witt*.
Differences in Magnitude of Two Handheld Double Inclinometry Techniques in the Measurement of Lumbar Flexion Active ROM. James Fletcher
Treadmill Training with Partial Body Weight Support in Ambulatory Children with Developmental Delay. Leah Lowe†, Nicholas Garza†, Amy Gross McMllian, Charlotte Yates
Effect of Lower Body Positive Pressure Support Treadmill Training Program On Lower Extremity Strength, Gait Kinematics, Endurance, And Balance In An Ambulatory Child With Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Robyn Everson†, Briyana Blair, Michael Nelson, Beth Mckitrick-Bandy, Charlotte Yates
Segmental Assessment Of Trunk Control In Young Children With SCI: Responsiveness To Activity-Based Therapy. Laura Argetsinger †
* Current UCA DPT Student
† UCA DPT Grad