News
Bobby Gragston, DPT2015 featured in UCA Magazine
Dr. Bobby Gragston is a UCA graduate of the DPT Class of 2015. He was recently featured in the UCA Magazine in an article written by Donna Lampkin Stephens. The article can be viewed at Bobby Gragston: Alumnus Achieves Dream of Training Olympics – UCA Magazine and details Dr. Gragston’s work with the United States Paralympic Committee. After joining the USOPC in October 2020, Gragston has worked with athletes at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center near San Diego. The 155-acre facility is home to USA Track & Field, USA Paralympic Track & Field, USA Rugby, USA Archery, USA Cycling’s Bicycle Motocross and USA Paralympic Tennis. He worked at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and is slated to be in Beijing for the 2022 Paralympic Games in February and March.
Position Opening – UCA Physical Therapy
Position Opening: The Assistant/Associate Professor is a core faculty member who engages in teaching, research and service in the Department of Physical Therapy, which offers the DPT and PhD degrees and a pediatric residency program. Teaching responsibilities include DPT-level critical care and cardiopulmonary courses, or orthopedic physical therapy (including manual therapy), and other clinical science areas commensurate with education and experience. For more information: https://jobs.uca.edu/postings/9667
Dr. Castillo Successfully Defends Dissertation
Congratulations to Fernando Castillo. Dr. Castillo, a student in the UCA PhD in Physical Therapy Program, successfully defended his dissertation on November 1, 2021 entitled “Assessment of Balance and Gait for Adolescent Athletes with Sport-Related Concussion”. His dissertation committee is comprised of Dr. Charlotte Yates, co-chair, Dr. Leah Lowe, co-chair, Dr. Melissa Allen, of the Department of Physical Therapy as well as Dr. Jacqueline Rainey, Associate Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and Nathaniel Grubbs, PT, owner of South Arkansas Rehabilitation in Monticello, Arkansas. Drs. Rainey, Lowe, Yates and Allen are pictured here with Fernando. Dr. Castillo is an alumnus of the UCA DPT Class of 2020 and enrolled in the dual DPT/PhD program at the University of Central Arkansas. He is currently clinically active in northwest Arkansas at Everest Rehabilitation Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas as an outpatient therapist.
Dr. VanHoose named Fellow of the AAPT
UCA physical therapy alumnus, Dr. Lisa VanHoose, was recently named a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Therapy. Dr. VanHoose is a member of the UCA MS in Physical Therapy Class of 1996, former UCA PT faculty member, and currently the Director of the DPT Program at the University of Louisiana, Monroe. Established in 1989, the AAPT Seeks to promote innovative programs in healthcare, perform clinical research and promote and support physical therapy careers for minorities. https://www.aaptnet.org
Clinical Foundations
First year students recently completed a 48 hour wheelchair experience for Dr. Maresh in their Clinical Foundation course. Each student spent 48 hours in a manual chair, completed two outings, and completed a written assignment in reflection. In preparation, students worked on transfers to the car during lab. Brining lab to life and a meaningful learning opportunity. First semester is hands-on!
UCA Physical Therapy Hosts Family Day
Many thanks to the PT Club and Dr. Maresh for hosting a great DPT Family Day on September 25th at the PT Center. PT Club and class officers were happy to welcome families IN PERSON for a fun day at the PTC. UCA Family Day hosted several events including a brunch, entertainment and inflatables, and a picnic with the President before the football game against Sam Houston State and a soccer match against Bellarmine University. For this come and go event, students gave their families a personal tour of the PT Center and DPT students and families had refreshments and games on the lawn. Great time to see families and relax a bit!
Dr. Taylor Named DPT Program Coordinator
Dr. Garrison announced recently that David Taylor, PT, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical
Therapy will take on the role of Program Coordinator for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program beginning this fall semester. Dr. Taylor received his PhD degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas. He completed a Master of Physical Therapy degree and a BS in Chemistry degree from Southwest Baptist University. In the Department of Physical Therapy, he teaches in the areas of physical agents, cardiopulmonary physical therapy, pathophysiology, therapeutic exercise, and research. He also mentors students in the PhD in Physical Therapy program and serves on PhD student committees.
In the year 2000, the first DPT students began the three-year program. Today, the DPT Program accepts 60 students into each cohort. In August of 2021, UCA graduated the 49th class of physical therapy students. The UCA program is the oldest and largest program in the state and recognized nationally.
UCA Family Day will be September 25th
Family day is coming up on Sept. 25th! DPT students and their families are invited to come see the PT Center starting at 1pm and enjoy some snacks and games outside on the lawn before heading to the UCA football game at 4pm! We hope to see you there. Head over to uca.edu/familyday to find out more about lunch and other activities UCA has planned.
PT Alum Dr. Susan Appling Elected Vice President of APTA
Susan Appling, PT, DPT, PhD is a graduate of the UCA PT Class of 1987 and was recently elected as Vice President of the American Physical Therapy Association during the 2021 APTA House of Delegates. She has served on the board of directors of the APTA for the past 6 years. The Department of Physical Therapy at UCA honored Dr. Appling with the Physical Therapy Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2006.
Dr. Appling is a clinical board-certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy, a certified manual therapist, and is an associate professor at The Ohio State University in Columbia, Ohio in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
The APTA is an individual membership professional organization representing 100,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy. In 2021, APTA is celebrating 100 years as a member association. https://www.apta.org/