In December 2009, ten Doctor of Physical Therapy students and two faculty members (Renee VanVeld and Stacie Fruth) from the Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis will be participating in a service-learning trip to provide medical and educational services to the underserved population of Pommern, Tanzania. The goal is for the participating DPT students to return to the U. S. with a renewed enthusiasm for service, increased creativity for solving problems with few resources, a heightened appreciation for cultural differences, and a newfound appreciation for medical resources in the U. S.

The 2009 trip to Tanzania will incorporate a formal qualitative research study involving students on campus as well as those traveling abroad. DPT students traveling to Africa will apply skills learned in the classroom when they are performing physical therapy services including the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary and cardiopulmonary conditions. In addition, students will assist in the rudimentary medical clinic with conditions including malaria, tooth extractions and intestinal worms. Students will conduct well-baby clinics for mothers who travel great distances in order to have their children weighed and vaccinated in order to reverse striking national statistics of infant mortality and malnutrition. Students will also have the opportunity to teach in a local school, assist with local construction projects and participate in cultural sharing.

A qualitative research study is being conducted on the students who are traveling to Tanzania to determine what changes may occur with regards to cultural understanding and appreciation, the level of interest in international service, resource management and personal struggles encountered. Data for the study will be gathered one month before departure, immediately upon returning, six months and one year post trip by students in the Class of 2012 by means of interviews and journal reviews. The students collecting the data will then be studied to determine whether or not participation in the study increases a desire to participate in future studies in international health.

Participating in this project will catapult theses students into a journey focused on international health. KSPT students participating in this experience will take away in experience more than they could ever give to the people of Tanzania. According to Assistant Professor and trip organizer Stacie Fruth, "myself and others I know who have been on similar trips know that, upon returning home, you definitely feel like you received far more than you gave. I guess I can't say that's my goal for these students, but I do hope it happens."

The University of Indianapolis/Body One Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program is accepting applications. We have one resident who has successfully completed the program.

Program Goals
1. Prepare residents for expert orthopaedic practice as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Description of Advanced Clinical Practice.
2. Challenge residents to become independent, self-motivated learners through rigorous academic and clinical components of the curriculum.
3. Integrate basic science knowledge with management of patients with orthopedics conditions.
4. Expose residents to a variety of learning experiences surrounding orthopaedic medicine including, but not limited to, radiology, rheumatology, orthopaedic surgery, and family practice.

For more information, please see http://pt.uindy.edu/orthores.php.

PT study finds fitness benefit in dance games

I just had the great opportunity to attend the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in Las Vegas, NV. It was 3 full days of lectures, research presentations, vendors in the exhibit hall, meetings, award ceremonies, and reuniting with old colleagues, professors, and friends. The Krannert School of Physical Therapy was very well represented with a majority of our faculty attending (some were presenting and/or were award recepients), about 7 of our student's research projects were presented, and over 25 students from all three year's of graduate classes were there!

As a student, these experiences are very important to me. Not only am I catching up on the most recent evidence-based practice, learning about specific treatment techniques, and hearing about topics not addressed in our classes, I also get to network with vendors, other professionals, and even meet some of the therapists that wrote our textbooks! The most important thing to me this year was having the opportunity to present my research at such a big convention and watching my classmates do the same. No telling the next time that opportunity will present itself again.

The only bad thing I have to say about CSM was that there were a record-number of PTs in attendence so that I didn't get to attend all the lectures I wanted to. The fire marshalls actually ordered the doors to be shut for many lectures, and they weren't letting another single person enter the room! I am thankful for events like CSM that allow me to advance myself professionally and still have fun doing it! I can't wait to attend CSM in San Diego next year (this time as a PT and not a student!)

-Barb Davies, SPT
University of Indianapolis

The study of psychology  includes  understanding the relationship between brain functioning and behavior and cognition, including learning and memory. Some psychologists  study personality and social relationships, while some focus their studies on how we change as we age, or on organizations, families, or clinical conditions.

Many students major in psychology to prepare for a master's degree in psychology or a doctoral degree in psychology. Some psychology students seek  graduate training in social work, occupational or physical therapy, or similar fields. Others use their knowledge to help them become more effective nurses, managers, marketing professionals, or teachers. 

The University of Indianapolis offers small class sizes at a faith-based college that allows for personal interaction and discussion with professors.  With insightful research experiences, the University of Indianapolis helps prepare you for graduate school or employment after graduation. For more information or earning a degree in psychology, visit psych.uindy.edu. For more information about the graduate degree programs at UIndy, visit www.uindy.edu. 

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.