Physical Therapy

News

Fall 2017

With the graduation of the DPT Class of 2016, there are now over 1050 PT alumni from our program, with 40 years of program development, the efforts of numerous faculty to continue to grow the quality of the program, and the high quality students that USAPT attracts from across the US. The 5-year strategic plan for 2016-2020 to set the course for where the department will be in the next decade is being refined to match the new strategic plan of the University. Allied Health now has a new Dean, Dr Gregory Frazer, replacing Dr Rick Talbott upon his retirement. Dr Frazer has tremendous experience with PT Education as he has served on the central panel of the Commission for Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The USA PT Specialty Faculty Practice Clinic is growing, seeing patients on campus, including our new clinic space here in the department. The DPT Class of 2019 recently started their first semester. We admitted 40 students (from over 500 applicants and 400 qualified applicants) with average cumulative GPA of 3.85, average science GPA of 3.6 and average GRE score of 306. We continued our tradition of “orientation to the beach” :-) at Gulf Shores on the first Tuesday afternoon, and had an afternoon full of sun with no rain! Now they are deeply focused on Anatomy, PT Skills and Ex Phys. For the DPT Class of 2015 there was a 100% ultimate pass rate on the NPTE, with

30/32 graduates passing on their first attempt! Drs Day and Fell will again be leading the PT part of a Mission/Service trip for 2016, in conjunction with CMMSA. The interprofessional group will travel to Trinidad Dec 10-17 to provide PT/rehab and medical services and spiritual care for the people there. I’m so happy that several PT alumni will be joining to provide leadership and inspiration on this team: Kim Enlow Baxter (1996), Lauren Roberts (co2016), Tracey Coale (1996) and three other PTs. Maybe sometime you’ll consider joining the Alumni who supervise on this international mission. I hope you can join us for USAPT Class Reunion or Regional Event – we want to plan more. If you graduated in the one of the anniversary years listed below, we will facilitate Class Reunions for the highlight classes achieving major milestones in 2017, in conjunction with the Alabama APTA Spring Conference at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL, April 21 – 23, 2017, http://www.ptalabama.org/events/?eventID=156. You can register for the conference and get your CEUs, and of course, enjoy the great beaches. This year we will highlight graduates from 1982 (35 yr), 1987 (30yr), 1992 (25yr), 1997 (20yr),

Wonderful to see the students grow in knowledge

and professionalism year by year. DPT Class of 2019

in front. DPT Class of 2018 on left. DPT Class of

2017 dressed up and ready for internships on right.

PT Faculty in middle.

DPT Class of 2019 having fun at Gulf Shores with Dr

Fell and Dr Waldhelm at the 2016 Beach Welcome

Splash!

The DPT Class of 2017 at their research day presentations with faculty.

2002 (15yr), 2007 (10yr), and 2012 (5 yr), and any other particular classes that want to get together (let us know) with some specific activities for each class that participates. We also hope to plan some additional regional alumni events this coming year! If you are interested or would help coordinate contacts with your class or local area, please contact Dr Dennis Fell, 251-445-9330 or email dfell@southalabama.edu. Please keep us informed about your life events – we love seeing the photos on Facebook or in the mail. And please send me an email with specific news/promotions/specialty/children/grandchildren/etc. that I can include it in the next alumni updates –

see our website! What a satisfying profession! And despite the most challenging year of my life this past year, It brings a great smile to my face thinking of all the graduates out there who are changing lives, bringing hope and optimizing movement! For the past five years, we’ve had an ultimate pass rate of 100% on the National Physical Therapy Examination, with first time pass rate above the national average. Be sure to check out the new Faculty/Student Group Photo on our website: http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/pt/studentinformation.html.

Drop by to see us sometime! Dr. Dennis Fell

dfell@southalabama.edu

http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/pt/index.html P.S. We were just notified that eight research posters from our department, including seven student research projects, have been accepted for presentation at APTA CSM in San Antonio, 2/15 – 2/19, 2017. We hope to see you there!

Dr Fell hosted a regional Alumni event in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, January 30, 2016. It was great to see the crowd that showed up and as usual, everyone enjoyed talking with Dr Gray by Skype. Thanks to Katie Fletcher Freeman (2003) for hosting the breakfast in her home. Our prayers go out to anyone affected by the recent flooding!

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS | Fall 2017 | Page 2

Alumni Reunion in Baton Rouge

Interested in hosting a regional alumni event

in your city? Please contact me at

dfell@southalabama.edu.

Dr Fell and the USAPT Alums in the

Baton Rouge area: Anna Howard (2000),

Ernest Green (2009), Crystal Freeman

(2007), Katie Fletcher Freeman (2003),

Megan Waite Smith (2007), Mallory

Crafton (2010), Kali Aucoin (2010), and

Kacey Wehmeier (2002).

USAPT Alums visiting at the Baton Rouge regional

reunion.

Katie Freeman enjoys talking with Dr Gray via

Skype.

Celebrating 2016 World PT Day To celebrate the 2016 World PT Day, the department hosted two guest speakers. Alex Bell DPT (2014), practicing home health in south Georgia, came to give a lecture to our students 9/8/16 on home health in the PT 674 course, and then he presented an invited motivational talk to all three classes on the

importance of a plan to continue professional development. April Fajardo DPT, a super-engaged recent graduate and member of the Academy of Neurology, and recently selected to be part of the APTA Early Career Team, presented a fabulous Skype lecture from Arizona to the Year-3

students on 9/9/16, focusing on perseverance in difficulties, intentional engagement in the profession, and global engagement in service.

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS | Fall 2017 | Page 3

Faculty Changes The department congratulates Dr Elisa Kennedy upon her retirement from the department September 1, 2016 after ten years on faculty teaching Pediatrics and Research. The department welcomes Dr Andy Waldhelm (PT, PhD, SCS, LAT, CSCS) who joined our faculty in June 2016 as Asst Professor. Dr Waldhelm has experience teaching four years at University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX before joining us. He is a sports clinical specialist and received his PhD from LSU in Kinesiology.

Our department is pleased to host Dr Jintae Han (Kyungsung Univ in Busan, South Korea) and his family for his sabbatical year 2016-2017. In addition to his studies, Dr Han has traveled with his family over the summer on a widesweeping drive across the northeast and then three weeks in southwest United States.

Dr Jintae Han and family with Dennis and Noel Fell

in the Great Smoky Mountains.

DPT Students Win National Awards

Dalton Newell DPT graduate with the DPT Class of 2016, was the recipient of the APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy “Outstanding PT Student Award” for 2016. He received financial support to attend the APTA CSM conference where he was presented with the award at the Geriatric Business meeting in Anaheim, February 2016.

Kaitlyn Hambrick DPT (2016) was awarded the “Student Award for Geriatric Research” from the APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy at the CSM conference in Anaheim, February 2016. The award was based on the student project

“The Feasibility of a Physical Therapist Student-Led A Matter of Balance (AMOB) Program in an Urban Congregate Housing Setting” led by Dr Laura White.

Dalton Newell was also the recipient of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions ASAHP Scholarship for Excellence, a national scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Newell and Hambrick receive their national award

at the APTA CSM Geriatric Business Meeting with

Dr Laura White and Alabama APTA Chapter

President Ellen Strunk.

USAPT Physical Therapy Alumni "Facebook" Group

We started the "USAPT (Univ South Alabama) Physical Therapy Alumni" Facebook group in Fall 2008 as an opportunity to enhance social networking and reconnection among USA PT

graduates. Now there are nearly 519 of the 1098 PT alumni (help me find all the others! :-) ) who are part of the online social networking group, including at least one person from the very first PT class. Dr Fell has created, within the group, a photo album for

each PT class all the way back to 1978, which created quite a stir of activity and comments! The album cover for each album is the class composite for your class, so you can look back to remember what you looked like, your hairstyle :) and what you wore for your graduation portrait! So now it is your turn… check it out and then scan and add any fabulous photos you have of yourself, your classmates and the faculty from “back in the day!” Let the tagging begin! If you have a Facebook account, maybe we haven't located you yet. It'll be a

fun way to keep in touch with your classmates and share photos! When you log into Facebook (www.facebook.com), and open your account, click on "Groups" and search for "USAPT (Univ South Alabama) Physical Therapy Alumni" Then you can request to join the group and Dr Fell will approve your request so you can see who has already joined from your class. Please help us find other USA alumni and invite them to join the group. Who knows who you might find there?

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS | Fall 2017 | Page 4

Trinidad & Tobago Trip Dec 2015

Dr Fell and Dr Day had the pleasure of developing and leading the week-long study abroad interprofessional mission/service trip developed in collaboration with CMMSA Director Duane Baxter. The trip was more interprofessional than before with PT, OT, AuD, PA, RN and MD students participating in community clinics, nursing homes and children facilities. The clinics were supervised by Drs Bob Moore and Tonia Beverley (both of Audiology), Dr Dennis Fell and Dr Matt Day (both Phys Ther), and Dr Alana Schilthius (Internal Medicine) and eight other licensed professionals in PT (three USAPT alumni), PA (two USAPA alumni), nursing and medicine. Three USAPT Alumni joined us to supervise

last year: Jennifer Melancon (2012), Darius McAphee (2000), and Kim Enlow Baxter (1996). The team of 53 individuals, including 31 healthcare students (PT,OT,AuD,PA,RN,MD) contributed a total of 1,530 volunteer hours in community clinics over four days, providing both medical care (MD,RN,PA) and rehabilitation intervention (PT,OT,AuD) to 436 patients. In addition to manual therapy to improve motor function, and functional training across the spectrum of patient types, we were able to give assistive devices to those who needed them. A 2 year old boy Kadeon, with spina bifida was able to be fitted with used HKAFOs we had in our

supply bag. Miraculously, the braces were the right length, and fit him with a few adjustments from Jennifer. He was able to stand for the first time in his life (See photo). The team also sent him a brand new posterior walker with the next team, from Georgia, that went to Trinidad. Partial funding was obtained from an internal Health Sciences Interprofessional Grant. Many students commented that this was the most significant interprofessional experience of their education. The 2016 trip is being planned to Juan Dolio Dominican Republic in Dec 2016. Let Dr Fell know if you are interested in participating in a future trip.

The 2015 Trinidad and Tobago

CMMSA International Team.

Kadeon and his first time standing with the

KAFOs. The eight PT students and five PTs operated five

stations to deliver PT rehab and education.

Alumni Updates The latest news we’ve received regarding the alumni listed below is now posted on our department website Alumni page. Let us know about your promotion, certification, move, new job, grandchildren… We want to include you in the next issue! Also help us get in touch with other alumni who are disconnected.

Go to the Department website Alumni page for recent news on Lavon Beard (2003), Alex Bell (2014), Erin Kinnear Byrd (2008), Holly Cauthen (2011), Doug Cole (2001), Denise Griffin (1986), Cade Hutto (2010), Alexis Clarkson Keating (2005), Christina Kilborn-Brunner (2008), Jill Van Camp Lott (2001), Kristina Lynn McGehee (2000), Lisa Munson (1999), Alicia Ponsock (2010), Mason Reid (2003, Jonathan Shaw (2007), Howie Tapley (1991), Karl von Tiesenhausen (1999), Lisa Munson (1999) Beth Cochrane Wilke (1987).

Our condolences go to the family of Tiffany Hill Greene (1999).

Dr Wall and Dr Fell taught a course together at the

APTA CSM conference in Anaheim and were so

glad to catch up with USAPT alums Mason Reid

(2003) and Dwan Shoemake (2003).

Dr Fell and Holly Cauthen (2011) volunteer at the

APTA Neurology Section Booth in Nashville.

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS | Fall 2017 | Page 5

New PT Scholarships We are still growing the Thomas and Norma Fell Endowed PT Scholarship, established by Dr Fell and his siblings in loving memory of their parents, who had each received PT services from USAPT alumni during their lives. The DPT Class of 2015 and Class of 2016 gave their class gift to add to the scholarship! And the Fell family is very grateful! We continue to grow this scholarship, including ongoing

donations from the family, to make it self-sustaining for an annual award.

All donations to USA scholarship funds are tax-deductible. Contact the PT office for more information on how you can support our department and future bright students.

The PT Alumni Advisory Group will be meeting to facilitate alumni activities and advise the department, and also plan several regional alumni reunions. Please contact Dr Dennis Fell if you are interested in participating, including by cell phone or Skype. Also, you might have the address or phone for an alumnus with whom we have lost contact. Call (251)445-9330 or email ptdept@southalabama.edu.

USA PT Alumni Society and Future Gatherings We also want to start a specific Physical Therapy Society within the USA Alumni Association http://www.southalabama.edu/alumni. If you are a USA Alumni Assoc member, you can help us form the PT Society just by saying that you want to have membership in the PT Alumni Society (no extra fee). So please contact Dr Fell dfell@southalabama.edu to let him know you want that designation.

This will help us get financial support for our regional alumni events. Help us plan an alumni event in your area!!

Faculty/Staff Achievements •Dr Elisa Kennedy received the 2016 College of Allied Health Professions “Excellence in Service” Award, the top College award for service, in recognition of her contributions to local, state and national causes. •Dr Laura White received the 2016 College of Allied Health Professions “Excellence in Teaching” Award, the top College award for teaching, recognizing her superior instruc-tional ability and motivation. •Department Secretaries Donna Head and Angela Smith were received Mortar Board “Tip of the Cap” Award in 2015 and 2016 respectively, as one of the most outstanding and helpful staff members on campus! •Dr Coral Gubler and Dr Laura White were recognized at the QEP Celebration of Success as a “Faculty Development Presenter”.

•Dr Dennis Fell presented an invited lecture to the graduate students at Daegu University, in Daegu, South Korea in September. •Dr Laura White was honored as the Univer-sity’s QEP “2016 Team USA QEP Educator of Distinction”. •Drs Heidi McDermott and Christina Stewart both passed the national certification exam and are now recognized as ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialists. •Dr Blair Saale has been appointed as the Advocacy Liaison for Alabama for the APTA Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. •Dr Dennis Fell is now serving as Vice-President of the APTA Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (formerly Neurology Sec-tion) and Chair of an ANPT Task Force to pro-

pose a vestibular physical therapy specializa-tion with ABPTS. •Dr Kareaion Eaton has completed wound care coursework at the national wound care conference, and successfully passed the certi-fication exam to achieve specialist certifica-tion as Certified Wound Specialist (CWS). As a Certified Wound Specialist, her expertise is now recognized in her credentials and will be noted by CAPTE in the accreditation process. •Congrats to retired Professor Dr John Jeffer-son on passing the certification exam and his recognition as OCS during CSM 2016 in Ana-heim! We know he’s been “The Man” for a long time!

Faculty Scholarly Productivity

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS | Fall 2017 | Page 6

Peer-Reviewed Publications in the past academic year:

•Dale RB and Brumitt J. Spine biomechanics associated with the shortened, modern one-plane golf swing. Sports Biomech. Apr 11:1-9, 2016. PMID: 270641752016.

•Tate J, True H, Dale RB, Baker C. Expert versus novice interrater and intrarater reliability of the frontal plane projection angle during a single-leg squat. IJATT 20(4):23-27, 2015.

•Day JM, Uhl TL; Nitz Arthur; Bush Heather. Arm Dominance Does Not Affect Scapular Muscle Strength and Endurance. Physiotherapy Research and Theory, June 2015; 36, 87-95.

•Day JM, Irion J. Home Exercise Adherence in an Underserved Ecuadorian Community. Journal of Physical Therapy Health and Promotion; Octo-ber 2015; 3(3), 39-46.

Faculty Grant Funded Activity: •Gubler C, White LW, Adjunct Faculty. Interprofessional Collaboration Practice to Improve Patient Outcomes. HRSA NEPQR Project Grant (#:5

UD7 HP26043-02-00), Program Faculty; Dr. Henri Brown, PI. $1,315,812 (2014-2016) •White LW, Gubler C. 2016. OsteoArthritis Action Alliance Grant in partnership with the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission/Area

Agency on Aging, to increase and sustain physical activity and reduce the fear of falling in older adults with OA who live in low income senior housing. ($5,000)

•Fell DW (PI), Day M, Kennedy E, Wooster D, Beverly T, Schilthius A, Breazeale H. “Real-Life Interprofessional Education in an International Mis-sion/Service Clinical Experience for Students of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Nursing, Medicine and Audiolo-gy.” USA Division of Health Sciences. $4,500 awarded (2015).

•Gubler CM. Balance Function in Patients with Parkinsonism. Co-Investigator. Interprofessional Education grant competition, Health Sciences Division, University of South Alabama $18,500 ( 2013, ongoing)

•Gubler CM. University Committee on Undergraduate Research (UCUR) Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships student funding Cortney Hayes. $2500 (2015)

•Kennedy ET. Division of Health Sciences, Enhancing Interprofessional Education Across the Health Sciences at USA, Team -based Interprofes-sional Personnel Preparation (TIPP): Improving Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities. (PT,OT, SLP, Medicine), Listed as Core Personnel as Primary Investigator, Total Funding Received: $5,000.00. (2015-16).

Faculty Scholarly Presentations: •Levine D, Borsa P, and Dale RB. The Effects of Laser Therapy on Muscle Performance of the Shoulder External Rotators. 2016 Combined Sec-

tions Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Anaheim, CA. February, 2016. •Dale RB. Current evidence for examination and rehabilitation for rotator cuff tendinopathy. Encore Sports Medicine Symposium, Orang e

Beach, AL. July 19, 2015. •Dale RB. Achilles tendinopathy: Current evidence for examination and rehabilitation. Encore Sports Medicine Symposium, Orange Beach , AL.

July 17, 2015. •Bruce SL, Crawford E, Wilkerson GB, Rausch D, Dale RB, Harris M. Prediction modeling for BOC exam success for a graduate athletic training pro-

gram. National Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, At St. Louis, MO. June 24-27, 2015. •Day JM, Uhl TL, Nitz AJ. Platform Presentation- Scapular Muscle Performance in Patients with Lateral Epicondylalgia.. World Confederation of

Physical Therapy Conference. Singapore. 5/2/2015 •Day JM, Irion J. Poster Presentation – Home Exercise Adherence in an Underserved Ecuadorian Community World Confederation of Physical

Therapy Conference. Singapore. 5/1/2015 •Day JM, Irion J. Poster Presentation- Perceptions of People who are Homeless at Project Homeless Connect. APTA Combined Sections Meeting.

Anaheim, CA. (2016). •Day JM, Poster Presentation- Comparing Change in Serratus Anterior Thickness Across Three Positions Using Ultrasound Imaging. APTA Com-

bined Sections Meeting. Anaheim, CA. (2016). •Fell DW, Burnham JF, Barnes J, Goh Y, Taylor S. Publication Trends for Study Type in Core Physical Therapy Journals: 1992 -2011. APTA “NEXT”

Annual Conference. Charlotte, NC. 13 June 2015. •Fell DW, Campbell A, Cauthen H, McDaniel K, Williams D, Rowe T. Fukuda Step Test Displacement Does Not Correlate with Functional Gai t

Assessment Deviation in Patients with Vestibular Disorders. APTA “NEXT” Annual Conference. Charlotte, NC. 13 June 2015. •Fell DW, Britton R, Burnham JF, Dickens N, Josey M, Peterson T, Wamsley J. Bibliometric Analysis of the Journal of Neurologic Physi cal Thera-

py: 1993-2013. Platform Presentation at World Confederation for Physical Therapy WCPT Congress. Singapore, Republic of Singapore. 3 May 2015.

•Fell DW, Wall JC, Payne M, Sellers S, Tatford B. Consistency of Step Lengths is not influenced by Walking Speed or an Acceleration Zone: 4-meter vs 10-meter walk tests. Abstract number: Poster Presentation at World Confederation for Physical Therapy WCPT Congress. Singa-pore, Republic of Singapore. 4 May 2015.

•Fell DW, Wall JC, Payne M, Sellers S, Tatford B. Consistency of Step Lengths is not influenced by Walking Speed or an Acceleration Zone: 4 -meter vs 10-meter walk tests. Poster Presentation at APTA Annual Conference "NEXT". National Harbor, MD. 5 June 2015.

•Fell DW, Britton R, Burnham JF, Dickens N, Josey M, Peterson T, Wamsley J. Bibliometric Analysis of the Journal of Neurologic Physi cal Thera-py: 1993-2013.. Poster Presentation at APTA “NEXT” Annual Conference. National Harbor, MD. 5 June 2015.

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS | Fall 2017 | Page 7

Faculty Scholarly Productivity (cont’d) •Wall JC, Fell DW, Anderson B, Bland L, DeMoss S, Parrish B. A modified 4-meter walk test, with addition of step time measurement, is valid to

measure gait velocity. USA Graduate Research Forum. Mobile, AL. March 23, 2016. •Gubler C and Wall J. The Effect of Turns on Distance Covered in the Two Minute Walk Test. WCPT World Physical Therapy Conference, Sing a-

pore, Singapore. May 2, 2015. •Kennedy ET, Developmental Parenting to Optimize Functional Independence in Young Children with Disabilities, Occasion: Section on Pedia t-

rics Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, Nov 2015. •Kennedy ET, York, S, Collaborative Care Beyond the NICU for Successful Outcomes into Adulthood, PT NEXT: APTA Annual Conference, Na-

tional Harbor, MD. June 2015. •Fisher R, Waldhelm A, Freeman V. Muscle Activation during Treadmill versus On-Ground Running, National Strength and Conditioning Associa-

tion Annual Conference Proceedings, New Orleans, LA 2016. •White, L. Hamrick K, Newell D. The feasibility of a physical therapist student -led A Matter of Balance program in an urban congregate housing

setting. Poster. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, February 18, 2016. •White, L. From Traditional to Team-based: transforming an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy management course. South Alabama Confer-

ence on Teaching and Learning, Mobile, AL, May 10, 2016. •White, L. From Traditional to Team-based: transforming an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy management course. APTA Combined Sec-

tions Meeting, Anaheim, CA, February 20, 2016. •White, L. Hamrick K, Newell D. The feasibility of a physical therapist student -led A Matter of Balance program in an urban congregate housing

setting. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, February 18, 2016. •Dawson H, White L. Factors that influence selection of initial employment by new graduate physical therapists. National Collegiate Honors

Council Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, November 14, 2015.

Courses Taught: •Dale RB, Fell DW, Morrisette D. How Can I Apply Motor Learning in Orthopedic Practice? NEXT Symposium of the American Physical Therapy

Association, Nashville, TN. June, 2016. •Levine D, Borsa P, and Dale RB. The Effects of Laser Therapy on Muscle Performance of the Shoulder External Rotators. 2016 Combined Sec-

tions Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Anaheim, CA. February, 2016. •Dale RB, Fell DW. Motor Control /Motor Learning Applications in Orthopedic/Sports PT. Mobile Area Physical Therapy Organization, Mobile,

AL: 9/17/15. 0.4 CEU. •Day JM, Dale RB. Current Evidence for the Management of Lateral Epicondylalgia. Mobile Area Physical Therapy Organization, Mobile, AL:

8/13/15. 0.4 CEU. •Dale RB. Current evidence for the management of Achilles tendinopathy. Mobile Area Physical Therapy Organization, Mobile, AL: 7/23 /15.

0.4 CEU. •Dale RB. Current evidence for examination and rehabilitation for rotator cuff tendinopathy. Encore Sports Medicine Symposium, Orang e

Beach, AL. July 19, 2015. •Dale RB. Achilles tendinopathy: Current evidence for examination and rehabilitation. Encore Sports Medicine Symposium, Orange Beach , AL.

July 17, 2015. •White, L. From Traditional to Team-based: transforming an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy management course. Platform, APTA Com-

bined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, February 20, 2016.