Pre PT Student Wins Research Fellowship
Pre-Physical Therapy student Aimee Murray was recently selected for one of the 2012-2013 Oustanding Discovery Fellow Awards by the Honors College. In addition, she was just notified that she has been selected for continuing funding for her project for the 2013-2014 year. The Honors College Discovery Fellows program is a highly competitive award and an excellent opportunity for a student to participate in a funded/paid research experience. Murray’s research team includes Katie Mocca, also a pre-PT student, and faculty mentors Erin Dannecker, Victoria Shaffer and Allison Kabel. Check out their project abstract below:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability in the United States and its prevalence increases with aging. Pain is the primary problem for OA patients and pain relief is a primary goal of OA treatments. Regular physical activity decreases OA pain over time so it is included in clinical practice treatment guidelines for OA. However, therapeutic exercise for OA can acutely increase pain. Therefore, people with OA must decide if activity-related pain indicates that it is safe or harmful to continue the activity. Fear and avoidance of activity are frequent complaints from people with OA. A few studies support that controlled exposures to threatening physical activities decrease fear and avoidance, but many knowledge gaps exist. For example, the mechanisms of exposure therapy and the most effective exposure therapy protocols are unknown. The long-term goal of this proposal is to develop a strategic line of research to systematically (1) clarify the relationships among physical activity and activity-related pain, fear, and harm and (2) increase physical activity in older patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Excellence in Advising
SHP advisors, Teresa Briedwell and Matt Augeri were recently recognized for their excellence in advising. Several peers and students nominated the two recipients because of their hard work and dedication to the school.
Teresa said being an advisor is, “easy for me because I get to talk about something that I love.” Part of what Teresa does is meet with potential students, talk with current students about the path they need to take to apply for PT school, inform potential students about what physical therapists do as well as act as an informational and motivational guide to help students figure out what they want to do in the future. Teresa said, “It is an honor to be nominated and selected for the award. I feel fortunate when I can work in a capacity where I can do what I love.”
For Matt, the most enjoyable aspect of being an advisor is working directly with the students. He enjoys making students feel like Mizzou is the best place they can learn and have an opportunity to follow their dreams and aspirations. Along with being an advisor, Matt is very involved with SHP outside of the advising setting. Matt is a TA, works with Phi Epsilon Kappa and is also involved with the mentoring program.
Congratulations to these two great SHP faculty and staff award recipients.
April Research Report
During the month of April, SHP faculty submitted 5 project proposals requesting a total of $180,065.
Diane Smith’s Health Literacy project was finalized in the amount of $9,700. Congratulations Diane and the entire SHP faculty!
Congratulations Dr. Teti
Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Teti in SHP’s Department of Health Sciences for winning the Writing Intensive Teaching Excellence award last week! You make us proud!
ADC Faculty Member Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
Ever since a friend thought she would be perfect to work for the Adult Day Connection in October of 1997, Carolyn Anderson has been in love with working for the program. Anderson is celebrating ten years of full-time employment with ADC, having started part-time 16 years ago.
Stating off working in the kitchen then moving to activity director and even a stint as interim director, Anderson said being involved in the participants’ lives and knowing ADC is making a difference is the most rewarding part of her job. The daily difference the program makes is one of the things she is most proud of.
When she began her job, ADC was licensed for 16 participants and is now up to 24, allowing the program to help more people. ADC has adopted a person centered care program, Anderson said, and the activities are based on each person’s specific needs. The program offers physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
The clientele is always transitioning. One participant was in the program for 14 years and the most consistent person in the program is 100 years old. ADC is an alternative to nursing home in most cases, and keeps clients independent and at home longer.
In the last ten years of her full-time employment, Anderson said the most rewarding thing has been when a family member says, “If it weren’t for ADC my mom/dad wouldn’t be here.” Anderson loves being able to see first-hand the positive affects the program has on the participants.
In the next ten years, Anderson hopes for ADC to become better known in the community. “I would like to reach more people that are needing a solution,” Anderson said, “I love it here, I’ll be here for another20 years if they’ll have me!”
April is OT Month
April is national occupational therapy month and is celebrated by occupational therapy students, therapists, university organizations and individuals with disabilities who benefit from occupational therapy. At Mizzou, the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is a proud supporter of OT month, hosting many events and activities around campus. SOTA provides education, guidance and experience to students who have a future career in OT and encourages any Mizzou student interested in OT to join SOTA and participate in this month’s events.
Occupational Therapy Month Events
Fundraiser at The Rome: April 9th at 6:00pm
– SOTA members who attend and bring friends will earn money for the organization.
Spring Party at Paquin Tower: April 10th at 6:00pm
– Working with elderly and disabled residents in low income housing to plant plants, visit, share snacks and do crafts.
SOTA Rummage Sale: April 13th 6:30am-3pm
– SOTA members will help set up and run the rummage sale, which is open to the public. All proceeds will benefit MU OT’s pediatric and adult clinics.
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Lunch: April 16th 12:00-1:00pm
– SOTA members will bring side dishes to share with faculty and staff members.
SOTA Picnic: April 17th at 5:30pm
– Free food and fun in Lewis and Clark courtyard
Informational Booth in the Student Center: April 19th 11:00am – 2:00pm
– Guess the gadget activity and a chance to share information about the profession of occupational therapy.
Mizzou Lip Dub: April 21st (Time TBA)
– SOTA members will be dressed in matching blue shirts while parading behind singers with “O” and “T” signs and adaptive equipment.
Next SOTA Meeting: April 24th at 4:00pm in Lewis 3
Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center: April 27th (Time TBA)
– Students will go to Cedar Creek to help with the sensory garden and trail.
SHP – Light It Up Blue!
To commemorate World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month, Mizzou joined Autism Speaks in a global movement to “Light It Up Blue.” Buildings around the world – landmarks, hotels, sports venues, concert halls, museums, bridges, and hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were shining blue lights on April 2.
At Mizzou, students, faculty and staff wore blue and had a blue balloon release at the columns to raise autism awareness.
Thank you to everyone who showed their support for this great cause!
Student Leaders Advocate for Education
Several SHP Student Leaders attended the Missouri Alumni Alliance Legislative Day at the Capitol on April 3, 2013. Chancellor Brady Deaton and UM System President Tim Wolfe were in attendance to advocate for further legislative support of Missouri’s flagship university in the future.
Great job to the SHP student representatives, you were outstanding advocates and representatives of our school!
SHP student leaders at the Capitol
February Research Report
During the month of February, SHP faculty members submitted six project proposals requesting a total of $686,050. One project was finalized in the amount of $170,790.
Richard Oliver was awarded the $170,790 for his project, Chronic Disease Self-Management Education.
NSSLHA Update Seminar
SHP Communication Science and Disorder students presented their research at the 22nd annual MU NSSLHA Update Seminar today. Work culminating from the past year was on display while students explained their research findings to visiting professionals of the field. As part of SHP’s mission to serve, the seminar was held to help guest speech pathologists meet the required 30 hours of continued education that must be completed every two years. Along with providing an educational opportunity for speech pathologists, University of Kansas professor Diane Frome Loeb, PhD, held a keynote address for students and professionals alike.
