PTA Program Highlights
Faculty / Student / Alumnae News
Sending Ceremony
On Wednesday, October 15,2008 the PTA faculty hosted a sending ceremony for the first year PTA students as they anticipated their upcoming first clinical experience. Tone Blechert, associate dean for the health professions, delivered a brief and moving message, reminding us all of the powerful impact we have on our patients and clients. Students received their nametags for their clinical experience, along with a flower and a keepsake bookmark listing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Intellectual Tradition. Following the ceremony, faculty and students celebrated with cake and beverages.
PTA and DPT Students win National Recognition
March 2008
Students from the College of St. Catherine Physical Therapist Assistant and Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs were selected for the American Physical Therapy Association’s 2008 Mary McMillan Scholarship Award. The award recognizes students who exhibit superior scholastic ability and potential for future professional contribution.
Martha Swenson, 2008 graduate of the College of St. Catherine Physical Therapist Assistant Program, was one of only two students nationally selected to receive the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Level award. Martha is deserving of this nomination for several reasons but most importantly she has been a student who has sought to broaden her understanding of herself and the world in which she lives while seeking a similar understanding of the profession of physical therapy. She will be a contributing member and leader within the physical therapy profession and her community.
Lois Fulton, a 2008 graduate of the College of St. Catherine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, was selected as one of only ten students in the country to receive the Physical Therapist award. Lois is a shining example of commitment to learning as demonstrated by her extensive missions and volunteer activities, both within physical therapy, as well as her community. Lois has thus been honored with this prestigious award for her current and future contributions to the physical therapy profession and the broader community which she serves.
The faculty members of both programs are extremely proud of Martha and Lois and their accomplishments and welcome them as our peers and colleagues in the physical therapy profession.
AWARD NOMINEE
October 2007 - Congratulations to Martha Swanson, SPTA in the Student Physical Therapist Assistant Category for the APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award. The purpose of the award is "to acknowledge and honor outstanding physical therapist assistant students who are nearing the completion of their respective program of study. The scholarship program contributes to the growth of physical therapy as a profession by recognizing individuals with superior capabilities". Best of luck to Martha on the award nomination!
Vicki Eggum (PTA Program) recently visited Highland Park Senior High School's Medical Careers class, in St. Paul, Minnesota. On March 27, 2007, she talked with 36 students about the field of Physical Therapy and the differences between physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Several pieces of equipment were available for the students to experience.
Faculty Presentation at February 2007 APTA Combined Sections Meeting
Holly Clynch (PTA Program), Jennifer Miller (PTA Program), Jessica Sol berg (PTA Program), Mary Weddle (DPT Program): Roles of the PT and PTA in Patient/Client Management: A Collaborative Learning Activity for PT and PTA Students. This poster describes an active, case-based learning activity used at St. Kate’s in which groups of PTA and DPT students collaborate to 1) review the legal, professional, and ethical standards for PTA supervision; 2) analyze an intervention plan for a case study patient, discussing the intervention components that could be directed to the PTA; 3) analyze two case scenarios that present contrasting dilemmas relating to the direction and supervision of the PTA.
Northern Plains Regional Physical Therapist Assistant Student Conclave
On September 15-16, 2006 four PTA faculty and five 2nd year students attended the 1st annual Northern Plains Regional Physical Therapist Assistant Student Conclave in Watertown, South Dakota. The purpose of the conclave was to provide an opportunity for students to meet other students from across the region while learning more about the profession. Students attended a variety of sessions on orthopedic, sports, wellness/industrial and geriatric topics. At the same time, the PTA faculty members had a chance to discuss curriculum, accreditation and other PTA education issues.
The conclave was very well received by faculty and students from six PTA schools with plans already being made for next year.
The St. Kate’s PTA students received a grant from the Minneapolis Advisory Board to attend the conclave. They all agreed it was a valuable experience for them at this point in their education. It helped them feel connected to the PTA world outside of the classroom and encouraged them to visit with people working in the field who are excited and passionate about their work.
AWARD NOMINEE
October 2006 - Congratulations to Rachel Katskee, SPTA in the Student Physical Therapist Assistant Category for the APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award. The purpose of the award is "to acknowledge and honor outstanding physical therapist assistant students who are nearing the completion of their respective program of study. The scholarship program contributes to the growth of physical therapy as a profession by recognizing individuals with superior capabilities". Best of luck to Rachel on the award nomination!
September, 2006 - Jessica Solberg, PTA became a recipient of the Recognition of Advanced Proficiency for the PTA in the area of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy. To receive this honor Jessica demonstrated advanced knowledge and patient care expertise as part of a PT/PTA team in the area of Musculoskeletal work via documentation of ongoing continuing education, career experience and leadership skill development.
“Physics Day: Health Care Educators Partnering with High School” was presented by Susan Nelson PT, MS (PTA Program) at the conference entitled Why the Difference? A Teachers Conference on Best Practices to Engage Girls and Students of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math” June 27-28, 2006 at the College of St. Catherine.
Jennifer Biggs Miller, PT, MPH taught a continuing education class titled, "Effective Wound Management", to the PT/PTAs working in home care at North Memorial Health Care. The course took place in June 2006 in Robbinsdale, MN.
Susan Nelson PT, MS (PTA Program) hosted a Community Site visit at Roosevelt High School’s Health Careers Program as part of the programming at the Community-Campus Partnerships For Health 9th Annual Conference held in Minneapolis, May31-June3, 2006.
Physics Day with High School Students as our Guests
On April 27th, 2006, the PTA Program hosted another successful Physics Day at the College of St. Catherine. 34 students from Roosevelt and North High School participated in a day - long interdisciplinary presentation on the use of physics in medicine. The sessions were interactive, allowing the students many hands-on experiences. Programs participating this year included Physical Therapist Assistant, Nursing, Radiography, and Respiratory Therapy. This event funded by the Bush Foundation grant, has assisted in strengthening our existing partnership with Roosevelt High School and our new relationship with North High School in improving the campus climate with respect to diversity.
| Faculty Member Attended Training to Teach CI Credentialling Course Holly Clynch attended the American Physical Therapy Association's Clinical Instructor (CI) Credentialing "Train-the-Trainer" Course in Alexandria, VA, on April 21-23, 2006. Participants attend this course by invitation only after a rigorous application process. Following the course, participants demonstrating competency in course content and teaching ability receive Credentialed Trainer status from the APTA's Board of Directors. They are then eligible to teach the CI Credentialing Course, designed to help clinical instructors improve their planning, preparation and interactions with physical therapy students during clinical experiences. Faculty Attend the APTA Professional Association Spring Conference Vicki Eggum, Holly Clynch and Jessica Solberg attended the Minnesota Chapter - American Physical Therapy Association Spring Conference April 7-9, 2006 at the Earl Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Park. There they attended several courses and meetings and were on hand for the President's Awards Ceremony where Mary Puder (2nd year PTA student) received the Outstanding Student Award from the St. Kate's PTA Program. Faculty Member Invited for Training to Teach CI Credentialling Course March 2006 - Holly Clynch was invited and accepted to be a trainer for the APTAs Clinical Instructor Credentialling training course. Faculty Member Accepted to PhD Program March 2006 - Jennifer Biggs-Miller was accepted into the PhD program in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Jennifer will begin the program in Health Services Research, Policy and Administration in Fall 2006. CSC PTA Student Nominated for the MN APTA 2006 Outstanding Student Award March 2006 - We are pleased to announce that our current 2nd year PTA student Mary Puder, was nominated by the PTA faculty for the 2006 MN APTA Oustanding Student Award. Congratulations, Mary and good luck |
| Founders Legacy Student Award Nominee March 2006 - Congratulations to our 2nd year PTA student, May Vang, as she was nominated for this award by the PTA faculty. The award is “in recognition of our founding mothers, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) and their unique and immeasurable contributions to the Minneapolis campus”. May was nominated for this award because the PTA faculty believe she is one who "reflects and epitomizes the founders desire to provide educational opportunities for more complex students through the associate degree program”. |
Faculty Completed the APTA Credentialling Clinical Instructor Program
Jessica Solberg completed the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program sponsored by the APTA held March 3 - 5, 2006. The program was taught by Mary Weddle, DPT program Assistant Professor and Clinical Education Director and was held on the Minneapolis Campus of the College of St. Catherine.
Pam Wilmouth, PTA (Faculty Assistant) attended the 2006 State of Students of Color Conference on 2/26/06. The day long conference addressed issues on students of colors performances from pre-school through college. Many discussions/break out groups/panels about where the State of Minnesota wants to be in the future and what we need to do now in order to achieve this.
Faculty Attend the 2006 APTA Combined Sections Meeting
On February 1 - 4, 2006, Jessica Solberg attended the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, CA as the PTA Caucus Representative from Minnesota. The first indroductory meeting of the PTA Caucus was held in preparation for the House of Delegates in Orlando June 17 - 21, 2005.
Teaching Learning Network
Jennifer Biggs Miller, PT, MPH, presented a workshop session at the Teaching Learning Network Conference at the College of St. Catherine on January 24, 2006. With a panel of three other faculty members at the college, she presented a course titled, “Classroom Assessment Techniques and Reflective Pedagogy”. The Teaching Learning Network is the College’s annual mid-year conference where faculty and staff engage in learning opportunities.
Job Corps
On January 20, 2006, Jennifer Biggs Miller spent a class period at the Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center in St. Paul, MN. Job Corps is “an academic, vocational and social skills training program for low-income young people, ages 16-24, that is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor”. Jennifer discussed careers in physical therapy, how to become a physical therapy professional, and what kinds of activities physical therapy professions are involved in at work. 15 students, who are working toward their Nursing Assistant certification, listened enthusiastically and had many questions.
PTA Faculty visited Highland High School’s Health Career Class
On January 4, 2006 two faculty members, Vicki Eggum and Jessica Solberg, taught an informational session on physical therapy to Highland High School health students in the health career class. After talking about the field of physical therapy and the type of education needed to work in the field, students were asked to volunteer to try out a number of pieces of equipment that tested their balance and strength. It was an fun time for all of us!
Faculty Member Trained as "on-site" reviewer for CAPTE
Susan Nelson, PTA Program Director, began serving as an on-site reviewer for the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education following the initial training in December 2005.
The College of St. Catherine PTA Graduates Receive "APTAs Advanced Recognition for the PTA"
Congratulations to Kristine Sicora (Luger) Class of 1992 and Melissa Wever (Reineccius) Class of 1999 who both received the APTAs Advanced Recognition for the PTA in November of 2005! This program recognizes PTAs who have achieved advanced proficiency through education, experience, leadership, and as part of the PT/PTA team in a specified area of work - Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Integumentary, and/or Cardiopulmonary. Both Kristine and Melissa will benefit from increased confidence in the provision of patient care, reinforcement of lifelong learning, and distinction that assists with career advancement. Congratulations Kristine and Melissa!
PTA Faculty visited Roosevelt High School’s Health Career Class
On October 18 2005, two faculty members, Vicki Eggum and Jessica Solberg, taught an informational class on physical therapy to Roosevelt High School students. They were all tenth grade students in a health careers class. After talking about the field of physical therapy and the type of education needed to work in the field, students were asked to volunteer to try out a number of pieces of equipment that tested their balance and strength. It was an fun time for all of us!
AWARD NOMINEE
October 2005 - Congratulations to Madilyne Green, SPTA in the Student Physical Therapist Assistant Category for the APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award. The purpose of the award is "to acknowledge and honor outstanding physical therapist assistant students who are nearing the completion of their respective program of study. The scholarship program contributes to the growth of physical therapy as a profession by recognizing individuals with superior capabilities". Best of luck to Mady on the award nomination!
Our PTA Program Co-Sponsored a Reception at the APTA Fall Conference
On October 15th 2005, the PTA program co-sponsored a reception at the APTA Fall Conference in Duluth, MN. Holly Clynch and Jessica Solberg represented our PTA faculty group and the reception was attended by several of our 2nd year students. There was good discussion on the issue of PTA licensure. Many PTs, PTAs, and students were there to learn more about the MN Chapter’s push for PTA licensure and to provide feedback on the issue. It was a great opportunity for the PTA students to network with students from other PTA programs and with PTs, and PTAs from various parts of the state while discussing an important issue that pertains to their professional future.
Teaching Opportunity for our PTA Program Students
On September 27th and 28th, 2005, the second year PTA students had the opportunity to do some classroom instruction for the first year nursing students. The PTA students gave a brief introduction and lecture on the principles of body mechanics and then demonstrated how it applied to patient care techniques, such as transfers. The nursing students then had the chance to practice transfers and positioning while getting feedback and suggestions on body mechanics and back safety. The feedback from the nursing department was overwhelmingly positive! We look forward to being the learners next semester when the nursing students instruct the PTA students in pain medication used following total joint replacement.
Faculty Member Taught CE Course at Area Hospital
On September 24th and 25th, 2005, Jennifer Biggs Miller, PT, MPH taught a continuing education course titled, “Hospital Based Wound Care” for the Hutchinson Area Health Care rehabilitation staff. 15 PTs, PTAs and OTs learned about comprehensive wound care and about current modality and dressing options. They even got to sharpen their debridement skills with scalpels and oranges and chicken drumsticks!
PTA & DPT Programs Welcome new Faculty Assistant
Jessica Solberg, PTA joined the Physical Therapist Assistant & Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty @ The College of St. Catherine as a faculty assistant in September, 2005.
Jessica’s clinical background is in the area of outpatient orthopedics with an emphasis in aquatic therapy. Ms. Solberg has been an active member of the APTA serving as the ASIG (Affiliate Special Interest Group) Chair since 2002 and as the PTA Delegate (formerly the RBNA) since 2004. She is currently the issues expert for the Minnesota Chapter’s work group charged with investigating the feasibility of PTA licensure in Minnesota. Jessica has presented at state level APTA conferences on the issue of PTA licensure. She is a member of the Sections on Orthopedics and Aquatics.
On July 29, 2005, Vicki Eggum attended a very interesting and creative CE course called "Physical and Occupational Therapy on a Shoestring Budget".
Habitat for Humanity Volunteers
Summer 2005 - To celebrate the College of St. Catherine’s tradition of service to the community students, alumnae, faculty, staff and friends built a house with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, for a family who could not access a home without community involvement and support.
A variety of members of the College of St. Catherine community participated in the project. Volunteers donated their labor and time, and also supported the construction crews. Each day a crew of about 20 people worked on the site.
Several members of the PTA and DPT faculty participated in the work this summer, Jennifer Biggs-Miller (PTA), Holly Clynch (PTA), Vicki Eggum (PTA), MarySue Ingman (DPT), Susan Nelson (PTA), and Pam Wilmouth (PTA). This work met the goals the college had set for our involvement:
· To deepen relationships between the College community and the external community;
· To give back to the community that has helped build the College of St. Catherine over the past 100 years;
· To put social justice teachings into practice;
· To lead and influence the conversation on the need for affordable housing;
· To build teamwork skills and the feeling of pride in a finished project.
Jennifer Biggs Miller, PT, MPH attended the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute’s Annual Conference “A Focus on Stroke” on June 10, 2005 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Pam Wilmouth, Faculty assistant in the PTA Program is serving a 3 year term (2005-2007) on the
Minnesota Council of Churches Committee on Refugee Services. The committee meets 4 times a year and focuses on Refugee resettlement issues in the state of Minnesota.
Pam Wilmouth attended a workshop on “Health Care for Somalis in Minnesota on May 4th and May 11th, 2005, sponsored by the Minnesota International Health Volunteers (MIHV).
PTA Faculty visited Roosevelt High School’s medical magnet classes.
On April 15th, 2005 two PTA faculty enjoyed teaching four, 9th and 10th grade classes about the field of Physical Therapy. The students are introduced to many medical fields in this course, physical therapy being one of those. The students learned about what physical therapy is, what populations receive PT, what the general salaries are for the different levels of PT and then participated by trying different pieces of equipment typically used in physical therapy. A good and informative time was had by all!
On April 15, 2005, Holly Clynch participated in a presentation by the Cedar Riverside Adult Education Program at the Minnesota Literacy Council's annual conference in Brooklyn Center. Cedar Riverside is our community partner in the CIL 150 course currently being taught by Holly and Pam Wilmouth, and the presentation featured the collabortive work being done by their faculty and our students in promoting health literacy in adult English language learners.
Susan Nelson, PTA Program Director, recently attended two conferences in Spring 2005:
Shades of Blue: Preventing Suicide Among Young People of Color and Building Minnesota's healthcare Workforce through diversity.
Pam Wilmouth and Jennifer Biggs Miller, (PTA Faculty), attended a workshop on “Health Care for Somalis in Minnesota" on May 4th and May 11, 2005 sponsored by the Minnesota International Health Volunteers (MIHV).
Physical Therapy Program Office Assistant Named as a Staff of the Year Award Nominee
Congratulations to Pam Houndt, Office Assistant for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs, as she was announced as one of the College of St. Catherine 2004-2005 Staff of the Year Award nominees.
CSC PTA STUDENT RECEIVED MN APTA 2005 OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD
We are pleased to announce that our current 2nd year PTA student Terry Young, received the 2005 MN APTA Oustanding Student Award. Congratulations, Terry!
PTA DIRECTOR PRESENTED AT MN APTA SPRING STATE CONFERENCE
Susan Nelson PT, MS, Director of the PTA Program, presented information on the PTA educational process as a member of a panel and open forum on the efforts to gain licensure for PTAs in the state of Minnesota. The session "Our Vision: Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistants are the Only Providers of Physical Therapy! The Benefits of Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure" took place at the Minnesota Chapter APTA Spring Conference April 8,9 and 10, 2005
PTA FACULTY PRESENTATION AT APTA COMBINED SECTIONS MEETING
On February 25, 2005 Holly Clynch presented "Behavioral Expectations and Leadership Responsibilities for Entry Level Physical Therapist Assistants" at the American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
PAM WILMOUTH, PTA FACULTY MEMBER attended a Minnesota Council of Churches Committee on Refugee Services on Wed. Feb. 9th, 2005. Pam was asked to become a member of this committee after chairing the refugee committee at her church and successful resettlement of a Sudanese family. The committee will meet four times a year and her term on the board will be three years.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT DAY CELEBRATED The Representative Body of the National Assembly declared October 18th, 2004 as Physical Therapist Assistant Day in celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the first physical therapist assistants to graduate from an accredited program. We are proud to say that those first graduates attended the PTA Programs at the College of St. Catherine (previously St. Mary’s Junior College) and Miami-Dade of Miami, Florida.
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