Alex Ma
DPT, Class of 2010
Time commitment: It has been a very interesting chapter of my life since I started the DPT program at Western University. The biggest challenge is the amount of material that we have to learn. The tremendous amount of time I study makes me a better student day by day, I cannot believe how much I have learned so far and I am looking forward to more to come.
Favorite WesternU professor: It is very hard to say, because most professors are very friendly and approachable. They all have different way to teach and help students. In general, I think they are all my favorite.
WesternU distinctive: I love the hands-on practice with facilities, classmates, and standardized patients. It not only sharpens my knowledge of PT skills, but also my inter-personal skills.
Why WesternU: It has one of the top DPT programs in California and it’s located not too far from my hometown.
Lanetia Gaines
DPT, Class of 2010
Beyond the classroom: I am a part of the PTAC Club that keeps future physical therapists abreast of the information we need to know, whether clinically—or politically at the Congressional level. I am also a member of the APTA. There is a great need for physical therapists and due to the club and organization, I know that I have chosen a rewarding career.
Why WesternU: Western University was highly recommended by my last boss, a licensed physical therapist. I was told that Western University equipped PT students to be well rounded—prepared with academic knowledge and great clinical skills. When I began my studies here at Western University, I could see that taking place.
Career impact: Western University is a great school to attend if you want to receive the most out of your education and if you want that information to be concentrated over all aspects of your career.
Patty Lepe
DPT, Class of 2010
I am involved with the Physical Therapy Awareness Club, PHC and PMARC. Volunteering to do any sort of community service for these clubs has greatly enhanced my ability to explain to non students what the profession that I'm going into is about and it also gives me a sense of accomplishment when I can share my knowledge to others that are willing to listen.
Tegr Powell
DPT, Class of 2010
I am a full time student Monday 5:00am until Friday midnight. I really have tried to balance my school and social life as not to alienate or neglect either one. I commute by bus from Hollywood everyday, so I have time to read and study on the ride to WesternU and back home. As long as I make my flash cards, I will always find time to review them during the week so I do not need to cram for exams. Finding my balance keeps me relaxed and able to handle the amount of work my degree demands.
Mary Eimers
DPT, Class of 2009
Time commitment: I generally study throughout the day. The curriculum is challenging and time consuming, but the excitement of working in the clinic keeps you motivated. Daily activities include studying, exercising, going to the beach on the weekends and driving to school.
WesternU distinctive: The opportunity to work with cadavers gives us the advantage of working hand-on with anatomy and really aids in the learning experience. Small class sizes allows for an intimate environment.
Most memorable clinical experience: During an inpatient rotation, I worked with a patient who was unable to speak, contracted MRSA, bronchitis, had a total hip replacement and a total knee replacement in addition to a femur fracture all on the same leg. It was extremely difficult for him to transfer and continuing his desire to live. I realized that physical therapy was so much more than just joint mobilizations and transfer training, but an art of patient compassion and understanding.
Kirsten Bjork
DPT, Class of 2009
Beyond the classroom: I am a member of APTA and PTAC (Physical Therapy Awareness Club). Through these clubs I am able to attend meetings with other professionals and find out more about the field of physical therapy. I am also able to inform others about what physical therapy can do for patients and how we interact with other disciplines.
Why WesternU: Location!
Jace Allbright
DPT, Class of 2010
Time commitment: I spend a few hours a day studying to stay on top of the material and to ensure that I am learning it well enough to be a competent and effective healthcare practitioner.
WesternU distinctive: Currently I am involved in the pilot interprofessional education study, which involves meeting with students from other professions across campus and working on a single patient case study. This kind of experience is one of the main reasons I chose Western University. I really wanted to work with other healthcare workers, whether they were DOs, PAs, nurses, or DVMs to learn their perspectives and network for the future. Some day, I would like to be able to call someone who I met on campus and work with them professional to professional.
Most memorable clinical experience: Working with the standardized patients on campus. It was my first experience walking into a room with only a little information about my patient and having to decide how to give the safest and most effective treatment while building rapport and working with the patient to set goals. I look at each of these practice situations as a safe opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Each of these experiences helps reduce the mistakes I will make with patients in the future and will ultimately make me a better clinician.
Academic environment: I have participated in some group sessions offered by faculty. I know that students ever asked, the faculty would do their best to offer a group session or give additional individual help. I know that if I needed to, I could call my professors’ personal numbers and get extra help.
On humanism: Our profession emphasizes “people first language.” When I first worked with the standardized patients on campus there were some patients we were not supposed to treat physically, but were supposed to address their underlying issues. Our objective was to build rapport and truly listen to what they were saying and not focus on the ailment. This can be hard for new students, as we tend to jump right to treatment and not listen to what the patient is really going through. I won't easily forget my experience with these patients and will work to apply that learning to the patients I will encounter in the future.
Why WesternU: I chose Western University because of its first-rate reputation in the medical community as well as the opportunity to work with students from other professions. I wanted the chance to get to know, work with, and hopefully network with other students so that we can perhaps work together in the future.
Victoria Graham, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Education
WesternU distinctive: Western University offers local and international service opportunities and I find working with underserved patients both locally and internationally to be a tremendous opportunity. I enjoy sharing my passion for service with the students.
Why WesternU: I came to Western University because I have a passion for learning, and enjoy mentoring future physical therapists. Practicing as a physical therapist adds meaning to my life, and I welcome those who wish to follow this gratifying path.
About the university: Western University offers an intimate learning setting for future physical therapists. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, faculty are engaged in research and clinical practice. Students will find mentoring opportunities in clinical practice and research, as well as close interaction with faculty and staff.
Sandra J. Stuckey, PT, MA, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Education
Research interests: My colleague Casey Chaney and I are working on: The Effects of Therapeutic Exercise with Firm or Light Taping on Muscle Activity, Pain and Function in Treatment of Patients with Shoulder Impingement.
My own research involves evaluating the accuracy of visual assessments and ROM measurements made by physical therapists. I am attempting to develop methods of testing and training using computerized video presentations. I am also beginning to use these materials for training students in how to improve their basic skills.
On interprofessional education: I believe IPE will provide students with an important component of physical therapy – interaction with other professionals. It is extremely important that we understand each other and develop strong professional relationships. If students begin developing these relationships in school I believe the will benefit them in the future by forming stronger connections with other health professionals.
Best thing about WesternU: Interaction with multiple professionals and professions in an academic environment.
WesternU distinctives: We can make positive changes rapidly to our programs and do this on a yearly basis in response to student feedback. We try to keep our lab ratios small to give the students more feedback on manual skills.The Department of Physical Therapy has some very skilled and talented faculty that have strong ties with the community and present a strong clinical education program.
Read more about me...
Dee Schilling, PT, MS, PhD
Chair, Department of Physical Therapy Education & Associate Professor
Most valuable aspect of WesternU: Dedication to student success, availability of support services and an appreciation of the unique learning needs of each student.
On the university: This institution is unique in many ways: the sense of family, availability of support academically, interprofessional commitment, and a quality education taught by experts that remain active in clinical practice and professional organizations.
On interprofessional education: The ability to deliver the best quality of patient care lies in the ability of the healthcare team to engage in dialogue and work in partnership. Patients are not individual body parts and through understanding the role of other team members we can provide effective, efficient and patient-centered healthcare.
Read more about me...
David Selkowitz, PT, PhD, OCS, DAAPM
Professor of Physical Therapy Education
Why WesternU: Our program has a relatively low number of students, so students receive more personalized attention. Our courses are taught primarily by our regular faculty, although we have highly qualified adjunct faculty for specialized content expertise when needed.
On interprofessional education: I believe IPE will provide students with an appreciation of the various approaches to health care by different health care professionals. This will allow the students to better understand their respective roles in the health care delivery system, make informed decisions on how to effectively support patients, and become excellent resources to refer appropriately to other health professionals.
Read more about me...
Donna Redman-Bentley, PT, PhD.
Associate Dean of Research
What makes WesternU's DPT program unique?
"WesternU offers students a unique approach to learning."
Georgeanne Vlad, PT, MA
Associate Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, Director of Clinical Education & Associate Professor
WesternU distinctive: We have the opportunity for students to choose courses in areas of interest toward the end of the three-year program. The course, PT 8500 Selected Topics, is organized in a “continuing education” format and includes participation from alumni and local clinicians. This allows for great role modeling in “lifelong learning” and integrates students ready to graduate with currently practicing PT’s.
Why WesternU: It was an opportunity to help develop a new physical therapy program in 1991 and to do so with creativity and educational purpose. Being part of a new venture is exciting and has remained so over the years.
Best advice: Look beyond the lack of a large, green campus quad or other traits of the typical college landscape, and recognize the uniqueness of an all graduate, all healthcare related university with its many opportunities for collaboration and involvement with students and faculty sharing common interests and knowledge.
Read more about me...
Ginny Dunn, PT, DPT, MSHCA
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Physical Therapy
WesternU distinctive: I have been given great autonomy in teaching the DPT program. I am a clinician and a manager so I feel I have a lot to offer to WesternU. I participated in the transitional DPT program as a student and that allowed me to look at the program from a student perspective, which in turn helps me to adapt my teaching.
Best thing about WesternU: One on one, personal approach with excellence and learning in mind.
About thing about the program: Excellent curriculum and instructors that support the concept of the DPT whether you are a new graduate or transitional PT obtaining your DPT. There’s also online and onsite education that supports the forward-thinking goals of the profession.
Read more about me...
Casey Chaney, PT, PhD. OCS, CSCS
Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Education
Research Topics: I have participated in research on low back pain in students, the effect of inhibitory taping in normal subjects, the immediate effect of inhibitory taping to the upper trapezius muscle in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome and I am currently working on the long term training effects of exercise with inhibitory taping on patients with shoulder impingement syndrome over an 8-week intervention program.
WesternU Distinctive: A unique aspect of our program is the fact that we have faculty teaching in the areas of their expertise. Many programs assign faculty to teach in areas that may not be their strengths. I think that the ratio of instructors to students in our labs, by using some adjunct clinical instructors, is especially valuable for manual evaluation and treatment skills.
Beyond the Classroom: I have been involved in long distance running for decades and coached adults from novice to Olympic trial caliber. My son, granddaughter and two dogs provide balance in my life.
Best Advice: Maintain some balance in your life.
Read more about me...
Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Education
Research interests: I am a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist in the PT program. I plan on looking at evaluating the reliability of a balance-assessment tool in community-dwelling elderly individuals. In the future, I plan on evaluating this tool for individuals with Parkinson's disease to determine their risk of falling. Lastly, I plan on completing a study that looks at the use of this tool by physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and physician assistants.
Beyond the classroom: I have attended “club day” and was able to meet and speak with a variety of students that actively participate in a variety of organizations. I also have attended various lunches and fund raisers student groups have offered. In my program, I have supported our PT students and acted as a faculty advisor when students presented at a local Parkinson's Support group on balance training and fall/risk prevention. I hope to do more of these types of things in the future.
I think WesternU is an outstanding University. Our graduates routinely score very high on the state boards and work in varied areas of practice.
Read more about me...
Danielle Newton, DPT
DPT, Class of 2006
"I chose WesternU because as a PT aide I had the opportunity to work with a graduate of WesternU's PT program who was well respected by other therapists and patients for his skill, knowledge, and humanistic approach to therapy."
Cortland Witherspoon, DPT
DPT, Class of 2006
WesternU has a reputation of putting knowledgeable, well prepared students out on clinicals, and has a high passing rate on board exams, which gives WesternU students a great advantage over many other students. I chose Western University because it is a small campus with a friendly atmosphere and has a good reputation of PT students passing the state licensure boards.
|
