The School of Occupational Therapy at University of Indianapolis partnered with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to conduct a backpack awareness day in September to educate students, school administrators, faculty, and communities about the serious health effects from backpacks that are too heavy or worn improperly. This local event was part of the National School Backpack Awareness Day, held by occupational therapy practitioners across the country.

A Backpack Awareness Day "Weigh-In" of college students, faculty, and staff and their backpacks, briefcases, and purses illustrated the amount of weight that students and workers carry on their backs or with their upper extremities to and from school/work each day. Occupational therapy practitioners and UINDY occupational therapy students weighed backpack-wearing UINDY college students, faculty, and staff.

Backpack Awareness Day events are important because the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 23,000 people ended up in emergency rooms in 2007 with injuries from backpacks and book bags. More than 79 million individuals in the U. S. carry heavy loads back and forth to school every day. Experts estimate that about 55 percent of children carry too much weight. Research also shows children carrying overloaded and improperly worn packs are likely to experience neck, shoulder, and back pain; adverse effects on posture and the developing spine; and compromised breathing and fatigue.

AOTA recommends that school backpacks weigh only 15 percent of a child’s weight. Following this same guideline, these recommendations are prudent for adults to observe, as well. The growing awareness of potential long-term problems to children has resulted in increased medical research, and more coverage of the issue in mainstream publications as well as medical journals.

Students at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School learned more about living with physical disabilities through a unique exercise conducted by graduate students from the University of Indianapolis’ nationally recognized School of Occupational Therapy.

Nearly 40 UIndy students were at Brebeuf, running five successive classes of high school freshmen through a 10-station course that simulated various disabilities. For example, the teens used wheelchairs and performed tasks while wearing eyeglasses that impaired vision or with one arm tied back to simulate the effects of stroke.
 
The event was designed to help the younger students understand and empathize with the hardships faced by the disabled, in preparation for future service projects. UIndy's OT program has conducted such events at Brebeuf since the early 1990s.

A tour of duty in Iraq is a good excuse to take a break from college, but not good enough for Paul Arthur.

The Greenfield resident is pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy degree at UIndy, but since February he’s been serving as executive officer for the 55th Medical Company in Baghdad. The 55th is a Combat Stress Control company – “a relatively unique asset,” he says – that provides psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychological nurses, occupational therapists and other staff to address the many behavioral health issues that can arise in a war zone.

In his spare time, however, Arthur has been studying gerontology online through UIndy’s Center for Aging & Community. He has completed six hours so far and is signed up for another nine hours this fall.

A seven-year Army veteran, Arthur hopes to come home this winter. Meanwhile, he’s been receiving care packages and correspondence from friends in the School of Occupational Therapy. Among other items, he asked them to send UIndy flags, which he has posted around his camp and office. He chose the university, he said, because of its reputation for supporting military personnel.

“I am grateful for all the encouragement and assistance from the staff at UIndy and my fellow students,” he said via e-mail. “I hope to see everyone soon!”

Applying to the University of Indianapolis? Fall 2010 Master of Occupational Therapy applications are due November 1, 2009. See http://ot.uindy.edu for more information and to begin the application. Our admissions staff are always willing to help answer questions.

State’s list of ‘hot jobs’ includes UIndy specialties

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development has released its annual “Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs” ranking, and as in previous years, several careers on the list correspond with the University of Indianapolis’ flagship academic programs in health care and education.

Physical therapists are No. 5 on the list, which reflects such factors as earnings, job availability and projected industry growth. UIndy’s Krannert School of Physical Therapy produces more physical therapists than any institution in Indiana. Also in the state’s Top 10 are registered nurses and medical and healthcare managers.

Other UIndy-related occupations in the “Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs” include occupational therapists, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.

For more information about UIndy’s programs in these fields, see:

Physical therapy

Occupational therapy

Nursing

Healthcare management

The College of Health Sciences will host an open house on March 21, 2009. The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical  therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will speak at the University of Indianapolis at noon Thursday in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center's Ruth Lilly Performance Hall.

Mayor Ballard will share his vision for the city and his views on leadership with students, faculty and staff. A Q-and-A session will follow.

The event is hosted by UIndy's Center for Business Partnerships through its Indiana Leadership guest lecture series. The series is designed to acquaint students with public issues and encourage top graduates to live and work in Indiana.

UIndy is one of the fastest-rising private universities in the Midwest, with the top physical therapy programs and occupational therapy programs in Indiana, as well as graduate nursing programs and master's and doctoral degrees in psychology.

 

Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants enjoy rewarding careers while making a positive difference in the quality of life for their patients. Whether working with a disabled child, a construction worker with an injured back, or a senior citizen suffering from arthritis, OTs, PTs, and PTAs take a personal approach in meeting individual needs. Learn more by attending our open house!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Register to attend at http://pt.uindy.edu/openhouse/. 

9 a.m. - Noon, Martin Hall, University of Indianapolis
Meet our faculty and students.
Learn about the application and financial aid processes.

Degree Programs:
Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Associate in Science, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Map and Directions: http://www.uindy.edu/maps/

Occupational Performance Issues and Predictors of Dysfunction in College Instrumentalists - UIndy professors and students publish recent research in Medical Problems of Performing Artists


Music-related injuries among musicians, including younger musicians, have been well documented; however, minimal research has been completed with college-aged instrumentalists. The purpose of this research study was to describe the presence of physical symptoms in college-age musicians and the impact of these symptoms on music-playing and other daily occupations. Data collection was completed
on college instrumental music majors using two survey questionnaires, which documented the presence of physical symptoms in the upper limb and the impact of these symptoms on function. The results indicate that a significant number of students reported pain or discomfort that occurred during music-playing, at rest, and during other daily occupations. Results were consistent with the literature in regards to the prevalence of symptoms in female instrumentalists as compared to males and the occurrence of more symptoms in those individuals playing string instruments and piano as compared to other instrument groups. Also, as self-reported pain increased, a greater level of dysfunction in occupational performance was found. Results also indicated that when participants were already implementing intervention strategies, this was perhaps a predictor of the presence of pain and dysfunction. Health professionals should be encouraged to provide preventive education for student musicians and to use outcome measures, such as the Disabilities of the Hand, Arm, and Shoulder (DASH) outcome measure, to identify the potential for functional impairments. Med Probl Perform Art 2008; 23:72–78. Rebecca Barton, DHS, OTR, Clyde Killian, PhD, PT, Morgan Bushee, OTR, Julia Callen, OTR, Teresa Cupp, OTR, Brandy Ochs, OTR, Michelle Sharp, OTR, and Katie Tetrault, OTR.

The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.

Senator Hillary Clinton’s senior health policy adviser, Andrea Palm, and the president of the American Nurses Association, Becky Patton, visited the University of Indianapolis campus on April 15, 2008 to discuss the Clinton campaign’s healthcare platform and answer questions from UIndy faculty and students. This visit was part of a tour of nursing schools in the state of Indiana. This event offered a wonderful opportunity for our students, regardless of political background, to discuss healthcare issues with two highly influential shapers of national policy.

For more information about the School of Nursing at the University of Indianapolis, see http://nursing.uindy.edu/.

The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.

The China Experience:
An Educational and Clinical Exchange of Eastern and Western Physical Rehabilitation Practices
Authors: Petrosino, C., Shurig, MA., Bryant, S., Flora, V., McGowan, J., Wahl, A.

A delegation of four Doctor of Physical Therapy students and one faculty member from the Krannert School of Physical Therapy (KSPT) at the University of Indianapolis traveled to China in May of 2007. A community-based capstone project was conducted with a mission to observe and document cultural experiences while providing a mutual educational exchange for the KSPT delegation and Chinese students and faculty. Presentations on spinal stabilization given by the delegation provided current evidence-based trends of the Western physical therapy profession. Development of the interactive educational sessions included a thorough literature review of the culture, preparation of culturally sensitive presentations for select audiences, and the collection of data throughout the experience for analysis.

Study Description
A literature search was performed on the history and culture of China prior to the trip. The students focused their research on cultural sensitivity, traditional Chinese medicine practices, and current rehabilitation techniques in China. Funding for the trip was sought through University grants and private fundraising. From the initiation of the project, each group member independently documented their experience during the literature review, collection of funds, development of lectures, travel arrangement planning, experiences in China, and return from the trip. Data collection of observations while in China gave rich descriptions of the experience while reflective field notes gave individual interpretations. From the collected data, all information was transcribed into a Word document for analysis in a computerized qualitative assessment software program (NVivo 7.0). Common themes were developed from the observations and reflective notes of the delegation. A manuscript was produced reflecting the interactions, experiences, and knowledge exchanged between the KSPT delegation and Chinese students and faculty members. Through individual analysis by group members and coding of textual data into convergent and divergent themes, followed by aggregating convergent themes by group consensus, the most salient findings were elucidated.

Discussion & Conclusions
Exchanging knowledge and gaining understanding between Western and Eastern healthcare methods exposed both parties to specific treatment techniques and philosophies of care that will potentially lead to more effective, integrated treatment approaches to physical rehabilitation. As a community-based project for professional program students, the invaluable cultural experience enabled students to glean greater insight of and appreciation for diversity and culture that will influence their personal and professional endeavors. This project can inform future community-based, service learning, and cultural experiences for professional program students and faculty.

For more information about the College of Health Sciences at the University Indianapolis, please see http://healthsciences.uindy.edu/.

The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.

OT, PT&PTA Job Fair
University of Indianapolis, College of Health Sciences


Saturday, April 18, 2009
Martin Hall, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Recruiters & Employers: Contact Vonne Edwards at yedwards@uindy.edu or 317-788-2186.
Students, alumni, and therapists are welcome to attend. Free parking.

For more information about the College of Health Sciences, see http://healthsciences.uindy.edu/.

The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.

Gary Karp will speak to occupational and physical therapy students on Friday, April 4, 2008 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, Ruth Lilly Performance Hall at the University of Indianapolis. This event is free and open to the public.

From http://www.garykarpspeaks.com/speaking.html
Gary Karp is an internationally recognized public speaker, corporate trainer, facilitator, author, and editor.

He has been living — fully — with a T12 spinal cord injury since 1973 when he was injured in a fall from a tree at the age of eighteen.

For his unique and extensive contributions to disability awareness, in 2007 Gary was inducted into the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame as a disability educator.

Since his injury, Gary has earned a graduate degree in architecture, worked for eleven years in the presentation graphics industry as a designer and production manager, then began providing ergonomics training and consultation services to companies in the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives with his wife Paula and their yellow Labrador Retriever, Nava Leah.

A very highly-regarded speaker, Gary is sponsored in part by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, which funds his speaking in rehabilitation settings and to university students of physical and occupational therapy.

As a corporate trainer on disability and employment Gary makes the business case for working with employees with disabilities. He creates a safe and interactive environment to discuss what some find an uncomfortable topic — and in the process helps bring workplace culture up to speed on the dramatic emergence of people with disabilities — as candidates, and an existing employee's capacity to stay on the job or return more efficiently.

For more information about the College of Health Sciences at the University of Indianapolis, see http://healthsciences.uindy.edu/.

The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.

The College of Health Sciences at the University of Indianapolis includes the Krannert School of Physical Therapy and the School of Occupational Therapy.

We are proud to offer undergraduate and graduate programs, including:

• Physical Therapist Assistant, associate's degree
• Master of Occupational Therapy
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Postprofessional master's and doctoral degrees in occupational therapy and physical therapy

 For more information on the College of Health Sciences, see http://healthsciences.uindy.edu/.

For information on UIndy's School of Nursing, see http://nursing.uindy.edu/.

The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.