JODy GUNDRUM, EDITOR SUMMER 2011
In ThIs Issue
President’s Message
It’s only spring and yet 2011 has already been a very busy year. Your leadership team and
Proposed Increase in Chapter Dues: numerous volunteers came together at the Annual Retreat in Richmond to meet, discuss,
What’s Behind the Numbers .................. 4 and decide how to “Move Forward” for the 2011–2012 year. We decided to approach the
The Annual VPTA Payer Forum planning process in a slightly different manner this year. During the Board of Directors’
Pays Off ................................................ 4 meeting, prior to the planning session, we divided into several groups and dissected the
VPTA Strategic Plan. Each group looked closely at the 5 main goals and the correspond-
PT and Politics ...................................... 5 ing strategies of the strategic plan and chose the 2 strategies that they felt were crucial to
Blue Ridge District Events ..................... 6 creating a successful year for the association. The groups then came back together and
discussed and voted on what they felt were the 3 biggest priorities. In a great team effort,
Central District Presents
the following strategies were chosen as the focus of VPTA for the upcoming year:
Cutting-Edge Therapies ......................... 7
Valley District Feeds Strategic Plan ....... 8 • Create clear, concise plans for volunteers that feed the strategic plan
Marymount University Students and
• Increase opportunities for members to network and encourage prospective
Faculty Provide Physical Therapy
members to participate
Services in Costa Rica ........................ 10
Virginia Helps Support Marymount • Increase VPTA’s political voice to establish public identity/recognition as
University’s Mission Trip Efforts ........... 10 practitioner of choice
Student Stipend Winner Enjoys
CSM in the Big Easy ........................... 11 The following day, the VPTA committees met and, using these strategies as the focus, they
devised Action Plans that will propel the association forward towards an exciting year of
NOVA PT Students Support accomplishment. The Board of Directors, the committee chairs, and I are looking forward
Military Families ................................. 12 to an exciting year for VPTA. However, we can’t do it alone. VPTA needs YOU! It’s a great
Radford University’s DPT Program time to get involved. Reach out to your district chair or director, and let them know how
Gains Candidacy ................................. 12 you would like to get involved. The association can be so much more successful with your
input, ideas, and help!
Jackson Clinics Launches
Residency Program in Ethiopia ............ 12 Respectfully,
Volunteer to Screen Special Olympics Terri Ferrier, PT
Athletes ............................................... 13 VPTA President
Are You a VPTA Facebook Fan?
VPTA’s facebook fan page, easily navigated from www.facebook.com/myvpta, is a
quick and simple way to keep up with the field of physical therapy around the state
of Virginia. Members and potential members are able to access news and pictures of
events occurring at the state level through social networking. You can “like” the page
(click on the little thumbs up sign) and be part of a group of PTs, PTAs, and physi-
cal therapy students who currently live and/or work in Virginia. Comments on the
announcements can be made immediately and allow for discussions on topics and
events. We welcome all to contact Harrison Vaughan at herbison1@yahoo.com if you
would like to post pictures of physical therapy–related events in Virginia.
Harrison N. Vaughan, PT, DPT, Cert SMT
Technology Co-chair
The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 1
VirginiA PhYsicAl TherAPY AssociATion
2011
officers/executive committee
President Chief Delegate Executive Director
Terri Ferrier Katherine Baucom Julia Rice
The Virginian, the newsletter of the Virginia Physical Therapy tsferrier@gmail.com Katherine_baucom VPTA
Association, is published quarterly. The deadlines for submission @bshsi.org PO Box 327
of materials are the 15th of January, April, July, and October. Vice President Alexandria, VA 22313
Articles and news items of interest should be submitted to The Secili DeStefano Treasurer 800/999-2782 x 3235 (W)
Virginian. Letters to the editor must be signed and include an secilid@hotmail.com Jerry Pumphrey 703/706-8575 (F)
address and telephone number. Articles and letters printed jpumphrey@progress juliarice@apta.org
express the author’s views only and are not necessarily the official rehab.com
Secretary
policy of VPTA. All materials submitted are subject to editorial
Leah Frazier
consideration and review.
docoftherapy@gmail.com
Ad copy should be submitted to the Chapter Office on an issue-
by-issue basis. Checks are to be made payable to the Virginia
Physical Therapy Association Inc and must accompany the ad Board of Directors
copy. All advertisers will receive copies of the issue in which they
advertise; advertising in The Virginian does not imply VPTA Blue Ridge Northern
endorsement of products or services. The right to reject, add, or Jessica Dobbs Vacant
change wording in accordance with VPTA and editorial policy is j4dobbs@gmail.com
retained by the publisher. Lynn Bernstein
The rates for advertising are as follows for camera-ready copy: Megan Bureau lynnkbernstein@gmail.com
mbureau@valleyhealthlink.com
Ad Size Tidewater
(width & height) Newsletter *Sharan Zirges
Central zirges8@cox.net
Full page $300 Amanda Miller
(7-1/29 x 9-7/89) ammillel@vt.edu Melissa Ogle
1/2 page horizontal $225 melissa.ogle1@gmail.com
(7-1/29 x 4-3/49) Ashley Crawford
acrawford005@gmail.com Valley
1/2 page vertical $225 *Renee Huth
(3-5/89 x 9-7/89) Mountain rhuth@radford.edu
1/4 page $150 *William Kolb
(3-5/89 x 4-3/49) wkolb@carilion.com Liz Shortt
ershortt@carilionclinic.org
Greg Cornforth
DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION OF NEWS ITEMS AND ADS gcornforth@hotmail.com *District Chair
ARE JANUARy 15, APRIL 14, JULy 14, AND OCTOBER 15.
Please submit ads to:
CHAPTER OFFICE
Julia Rice, Executive Director committees & special-interest groups
PO Box 327
Alexandria, VA 22313 BYlAW MAnDATeD Practice
800/999-2782, ext 3235 Sara Knox
juliarice@apta.org Ethics knox.s@lynchburg.edu
Jack Echternach
Please submit articles to: jechtern@netzero.net Public Relations
Jody Gundrum, Editor Joey Meadows
The Virginian Finance JoeyMeadows92@hotmail.com
5603 Hampton Forest Way Jerry Pumphrey
Fairfax, VA 22032 See Treasurer Research
703/822-6578 (W) Diane Wrisley
jgundrum@nvcc.edu Nominating wrisley.d@lynchburg.edu
Mark Bouziane
mjbouziane@aol.com Technology
Peggy Belmont (co-chair)
Be Found! sTAnDing coMMiTTees
pbelmont@cox.net
Help potential patients and clients in Virginia Harrison Vaughan (co-chair)
Legislative herbison1@yahoo.com
find you … John Miller
Are you using APTA’s FREE member benefit to jmiller@rehabmanagement.com The Virginian
Jody Gundrum
promote your expertise to potential patients and Membership jgundrum@nvcc.edu
clients? Nicole Jackson cbags@cox.net
n-hollingsworth@hotmail.com
Distinguish your scope of practice from other
physical therapists in your area. Continuing Education
Sharan Zirges
Sign up online at www.apta.org/findapt! zirges8@cox.net
Page 2 The Virginian • Summer 2011
committees & special-interest groups 2011 cAlenDAr oF eVenTs
(continued)
June
oTher APTA Federal Affairs Liaison 15 Nominating Committee posts tentative slate of candidates for
Sydney Sawyer 2011
Historian sydneysawr@aol.com 16-19 APTA Annual Conference–June 8-11, National Harbor, MD
Bunny May
vmay@tcc.edu Lobbyist July
Richard Grossman 1 Deadline for nominations for VPTA state offices
Pediatrics SIG The Vectre Corporation
15 Nominating Committee posts final slate of candidates for
Bunny May 411 E. Franklin Street, Suite 602
vmay@tcc.edu Richmond, VA 23219 2011
804/644-6600 (W) 15 Deadline for submission of material and ads to editor for fall
Political Action Committee 804/644-6628 (F) The Virginian
(PAC) rgrossman@vectrecorp.com 15 Slate of nominees for VPTA office submitted to editor for fall
Diana Venskus The Virginian
diana.venskus@marymount.edu Payer Relations Specialist 23 VPTA BoD Meeting–Location TBD
Angie Brooks
Sydney Sawyer, Treasurer angelabrooks.PT@comcast.net August
sydneysawr@aol.com
1 District financial reports due to chapter treasurer
Virginia Board of Physical
Private Practice SIG Therapy State Licensure 23 Deadline for submission of abstracts to Research Committee
Tom Bohanon Lisa Hahn, Executive Director
tbohanon@inmotion-pt.com Department of Health september
Professions 1 Ballots available for electronic and mail voting
PTA SIG Perimeter Center 1 Deadline for submission of nominations for VPTA awards
Michael Hmara 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 1 Deadline for student stipend applications for VPTA Student
michael.hmara@inova.org Richmond, Virginia 23233 Conclave and NSC
ptboard@dhp.virginia.gov 15 Deadline for submission of biographical sketch to SSIG
Student SIG Lisa.Hahn@dhp.virginia.gov
Nominating Committee by any student interested in running
Jordan Chang 804/367-4424
jchang09@su.edu for a leadership position
15 Financial records due to APTA
APTA Board Liaison
Shawne E. Soper, PT, DPT, october
MBA 4 Student SIG online voting begins
American Physical Therapy 8 Voting deadline for VPTA SSIG representatives
Association 13 VPTA BoD Meeting–Roanoke
Speaker of the House 14-16 VPTA Annual conference, roanoke–Mark Your
shawnesoper@apta.org
calendars!
15 Annual Membership Meeting and chapter elections
16 VPTA BoD Meeting–Roanoke
2011 Delegates
21 Deadline for submission of ads to editor for winter
Chief Delegate Terri Ferrier The Virginian
PTA Caucus
Representative 31 Deadline for applications for VPTA Student Minority
Katherine Baucom Brian Hoke
Scholarship
John Miller Sarah Schmidt
Delegates Lisa Shoaf november
PTA Caucus 1 Deadline: Nominations for APTA National Office
Peggy Belmont Colleen Whiteford Representative
Tom Bohanon Alternate
December
Mark Bouziane Delegate-Elect Vacant 1 Submit names and nominees for APTA Committees
David Brewster Laura Baldwin 1 Deadline: Mary McMillan Scholarship nominations and all
Secili DeStefano honors and awards
Jack Echternach 31 Candidate statements and consent forms due to APTA
VPTA career center
Visit the VPTA Career Center today to search the job openings and
post your résumé at no charge!
Employers—Check out our many job posting options!
The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 3
Proposed increase in chapter Dues:
What’s Behind the numbers?
Proposed Bylaw Changes
14: The number of years since the last Virginia Chapter dues
increase. The VPTA Board of Directors voted January 8, 2011, to seek mem-
bership approval of bylaws amendments to increase the member-
39.58%: The cumulative rate of inflation nationally since our ship dues. The bylaw changes are shown below.
last dues increase in 1997.
Article XIII. Finance
$118: The current national average for chapter dues for PTs.
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Chapter is from July
1 through June 30.
When I first started reviewing the VPTA’s financials last fall, I was Section 2. Means by which the Chapter funds may be obtained:
quite surprised to discover that we had not had a dues increase A. Annual Chapter dues shall be as follows:
since 1997. Not surprising, however, was the steady increase in Physical Therapist: $85.00 $100
the chapter’s operating expenses over the past 14 years. Along Physical Therapist Postprofessional Student: $50
with the rest of the world, the VPTA has to pay more for goods Physical Therapist Assistant: $60 $70
and services; the goods and services it takes to continue to sup- Life Physical Therapist: $0
port its membership. The VPTA provides valuable support via Life Physical Therapist Assistant: $0
outstanding legislative advocacy, payer relations and member Retired Physical Therapist: $50
access to guidance on reimbursement issues, local job postings Retired Physical Therapist Assistant: $50
linking employers and therapists, coordinating continuing edu- Student Physical Therapist: $0 $10
cation most pertinent to Virginia licensure, student stipends, Student Physical Therapist Assistant: $0 $10
leadership development (including grooming delegates to be Vir- Corresponding Member: $75
ginia’s voice in APTA’s House of Delegates), and generally keep-
ing membership linked and informed about physical therapy in Dues shall be payable to the association upon receipt of the in-
Virginia. Postage, printing, accounting, administrative services, voice. All dues shall be for the period specified in the Associa-
Web site hosting, meeting services, and so on have all escalated in tion’s bylaws and shall be payable following the association’s
cost. These are just the predictable day-to-day expenses involved schedule.
in routine functions of the chapter. We also must keep in mind the
potential for external threats to our profession on the state and Members will be asked to vote on these changes electronically in
local levels and therefore also must maintain financial reserves to June. If you do not have an accurate e-mail address on file with
protect our scope of practice via introducing and/or challenging APTA (VPTA follows your contact info from APTA), please make
legislation or litigation to the fullest extent. sure that your e-mail is updated so that you will receive a ballot.
If you do not have access to e-mail, you may request a written
After careful consideration, your Board has approved dues in- ballot by contacting the VPTA Chapter Office at PO Box 327, Al-
creases as outlined in the proposed bylaw change (below). If exandria, VA 22313.
you have any specific questions or concerns regarding this plan,
please feel free to email me at jpumphrey@progressrehab.com. Jerry Pumphrey, PT
VPTA Treasurer
The Annual VPTA Payer Forum Pays off
On April 8, 2011, VPTA had a fabulous opportunity that was quests for copies of the presentation and reference materials, and
made possible through a payer contact established at a previous requests for information regarding the 2011 VPTA Payer Forum
VPTA Payer Forum. As the VPTA payer relations specialist, I was held in Richmond on May 6, 2011. Planning a payer forum can be
invited to present to the Virginia Chapter of the International As- frustrating at times. It requires great effort and instant gratifica-
sociation of Special Investigation Units. A number of different tion is a rare occurrence. It was therefore a wonderful experience
insurers in Virginia were represented among the attendees. The to look out on so many faces representing so many entities that
daily billing challenges faced by physical therapists was the fo- impact our profession and to be able to offer them useful informa-
cus of the presentation. Direct access, term protection, and health tion. Not only did they appreciate the information, they appeared
care reform also were presented. The questions that arose were hungry for more!
insightful and demonstrated that this subset of payer representa-
tives will benefit from this information. The material was well Angela Brooks, PT
received, with invitations for future speaking engagements, re- VPTA Payer Relations Specialist
Page 4 The Virginian • Summer 2011
PT and Politics
VPTA has been very busy this past quarter protecting our prac- Redistricting will commence soon. This change is based on the
tices and rights. Here is a summary of what our legislative actions results of the census recently completed. There is a likelihood that
did for you: many districts will change, so keep your eye on your local news-
paper for information. VPTA will communicate this information
We stopped the kinesiotherapists (KTs) from getting licensed. when the redistricting is finalized.
That’s right, the KT bill was stopped in the Senate by a vote of
26-14. In this unprecedented event, the Senate, who usually votes PT Day on Capitol Hill is June 8–9, 2011. This event is in conjunc-
as a brotherhood, split their votes, thereby hindering the KTs in tion with APTA’s Annual Conference. Your presence is requested
Virginia and across the nation. A huge thank you to Senator Ralph as we gather upon the steps of Capitol Hill to share our concerns
Northam (D-6th), Senator John Miller (D-1st), and Senator Steve to our Senators and members of Congress. There will be an infor-
Newman (R-23rd) for speaking in favor of protecting physical mational session on June 8 at 4:00 pm. On June 9, the day begins
therapists on the Senate floor. bright and early with breakfast before we make our voices heard
in every congressional office. Transportation will be provided to
The Medical Malpractice Bill was passed. Currently, medical and from Capitol Hill.
professionals, including PTs and PTAs, are able to be sued for up
to 2.5 million dollars for malpractice. This new bill has increased Laura Thoene, PT, DPT
our liability to 3 million dollars. This is a significant departure Legislative Communications Liaison
from what the trial lawyers wanted the increase to be: 10 million
dollars! Please check or update your liability policies to ensure
that you are covered for this new increase.
myopain Dry Needling (IMT)
April 1-3 IMT 4 (MD)
seminars
April 8-10 IMT 4 (WI)
May 4-8 IMT 5 (MD)
June 1-5 IMT 5 (WI)
June 10-12 IMT 3 (VA)
The Obvious Choice August 26-28 IMT 4 (VA)
September 16-18 IMT 1 (MD)
Manual Trigger Point Therapy (MTT) September 23-25 IMT 2 (NC)
May 21-22: MTT 3 (MA) October 19-23 IMT 5 (VA)
June 4-5: MTT 1 (MA) October 28-30 IMT 1 (MD)
Sept 9-11: MTT 4 (MA) November 11-13 IMT 3 (NC)
Oct 22-23: MTT 5 (MA) November 18-20 IMT 2 (MD)
Nov 12-13: MTT 2 (MA) December 9-11 IMT 3 (MD)
Dec 3-4: MTT 6 (MA) January 13-15 IMT 1 (MD)
March 9-11 IMT 4 (MD)
All MTT Courses are scheduled for Kuwait in the Fall of 2011 April 20-22 IMT 3 (MD)
May 16-20 IMT 5 (MD)
Course Schedule
(additional courses will be added)
(additional courses will be added)
Courses Locations:
Register Today at www.myopainseminars.com Asheville, NC; Bethesda MD ; Huntersville NC ;
301.656.0220 (v); 301.654.0333 (fax) Needham MA; Virginia Beach VA; Wauwatosa WI
info@myopainseminars.com Additional courses in Ireland, the Netherlands, etc
The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 5
District news
Upcoming events in Blue ridge District
The Blue Ridge District (BRD) had its last meeting on March 8, We hope that everyone will be able to come out to our upcoming
2011, at Physiotherapy Associates in Winchester and Bethesda 2011 meetings. Mark your calendars!
Physical Therapy & Wellness Inc in Staunton. James Larson, MD,
of Bone and Joint Specialists of Winchester presented on “Patel- Tuesday, September 20, 2011
lofemoral Pain Syndrome Causes and Interventions.” We had a Location: Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation in Fishersville,
record-breaking 30 attendees in person and through the Web. We Virginia, and co-host TBD
also are pleased to announce that Jessica Dobbs has been appoint- Time: 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
ed district chair and Karen Walker has been appointed district Topic: Neuroplasticity: Implications for Rehabilitation
treasurer.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
On October 1, 2011, the Blue Ridge District will support Shenan- Location: Appalachian Physical Therapy and co-host TBD
doah University Division of Physical Therapy’s efforts by assist- Time: 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
ing in hosting the 7th annual Green Circle 5K. The Winchester Topic: TBD
Green Circle is a community project to build a hiker/biker/
jogging trail around Winchester. The 5K and 1-mile run use the We are still in need of a co-host for the September 20 and
existing trail and local neighborhood streets. The kid’s mile is en- November 17 meetings. If interested, contact either Jessica Dobbs,
tirely on the Green Circle trail and is a very safe route. The BRD is PT, DPT, at jydobbs@gmail.com or Megan Bureau, PT, DPT, at
proud to support this event in an effort to raise awareness of the meg01dpt@gmail.com.
importance of physical activity and doing anything that moves
you forward during National Physical Therapy Month and the Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would
rest of the year! like to learn ways you can get involved in the VPTA!
The Blue Ridge District is sponsoring a continuing education Jessica Dobbs, PT, DPT
course: Blue Ridge District Chair
Lumbar Spine and Pelvis: Examination and
Selected Interventions Megan Bureau, PT, DPT
Date: July 16–17, 2011 Blue Ridge District Director
14.5 CEUs
Location: UVA/Health South Outpatient Sports Medicine
Contact Eric Magrum, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, at
emm8t@virginia.edu if interested.
Clinical Instructor Credentialing Course Make sure VPTA has
June 25–26, 2011
Shenandoah University
Your e-mail!
Winchester, VA FYI... Did you know that if you have elected NOT to
Instructor: Melissa Wolff-Burke, PT, EdD give your e-mail address to APTA for their distribution
To register, e-mail Jeanne Traylor at jtraylor@su.edu.
of information, you are automatically excluded from
information from VPTA also?
Great things are happening in Virginia. We hope you will
allow us to send you the Virginia physical therapy news by
including your e-mail address in your APTA membership
renewal.
Page 6 The Virginian • Summer 2011
central District Presents cutting-edge Therapies
at District Meetings
The Central District started this year off with exciting and educa- and her doctorate in physical therapy from VCU. She has been
tional meetings highlighting cutting-edge therapies. At the Janu- working at Progress Physical Therapy for 2 years, with a primary
ary meeting, 32 physical therapists and physical therapist assis- focus on women’s health and orthopedics. Amanda plans to sit
tants were present for a presentation on “Musculoskeletal Causes for the Women’s Health Clinical Specialist Exam in 2012. She al-
of Pain” given by new district chair Amanda Miller, PT, DPT, and ready has demonstrated great leadership initiative in helping to
sponsored by Jennifer Cahill Anderson of EMSI. The March meet- establish and coordinate a women’s health residency program at
ing was sponsored by Ed Velasquez with Bioness and the speaker Women’s Health Physical Therapy in Richmond from 2007–2010.
was Matt Wilkes, PT, discussing the iWalk program. The iWalk is We look forward to the exciting new opportunities and ideas that
a specialty program, offered exclusively in this area by Shelter- she will bring to the district.
ing Arms, that is dedicated to providing research-driven, state-
of-the-science care from clinicians with advanced credentials in The Central District’s May meeting was held on May 12 at 6:30
neurorehabilitation. Cutting-edge treatment technologies include pm at St Mary’s Hospital Education Wing. VPTA Chief Delegate
ZeroG, Lokomat Pro, Bionic leg, Split-belt treadmill, and GAI- Katherine Baucom, PT, DPT, discussed topics and issues expected
TRite as well as a viewing area for instant patient feedback. to be addressed at the upcoming APTA House of Delegates ses-
sion. As always, the district is searching for new speakers and
The new year also ushered in the opportunity to say goodbye to topic ideas, host sites, and sponsors for meetings, so contact dis-
our previous district chair, Shannon Laspina, PT. Shannon was a trict chair Amanda Miller, amiller@progressphysicaltherapy.com,
valued leader, providing guidance and fresh ideas that fostered if you can help in any way.
increased support of our profession and association. New oppor-
tunities abound, however, with the election of our new district Amanda Gallagher, PT, MS, CWCE
chair, Amanda Miller, PT, DPT. Amanda received her bachelor’s Central District Public Relations Chair
degree in human nutrition, foods, and exercise from Virginia Tech
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The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 7
Valley District Feeds strategic Plan
members and professional members alike. “Differential Screen-
ing for Functional Visual Impairments That Impact the Rehab
Process: Beyond Low Vision” was the CEU topic presented by
Keith Gentry, MS, OTR/L, SCLV.
Participants at the January and March meetings were encouraged
to bring a peer for a chance to win $25 VPTA bucks. District mem-
bers Roberta Smith and Kevin Brueilly, PT, PhD, were the win-
ners for the January and March meetings respectively. This idea
was shared at Annual Retreat in April and now other districts
and committees have implemented the “Bring a Peer” strategy to
encourage involvement in VPTA. Way to go, Valley District! We
encourage you to continue to bring your non-member peers to
district meetings for your chance at this opportunity!
Hope you’ll join us. Here’s what is happening in our district in
the months to come:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Location: Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, VA
Topic: Total Knee Replacement: A Fresh Look
Presenter: Jeremiah Tate, PT, PhD
Tate is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Ther-
apy at Lynchburg College.
Liz Shortt, PT, DPT, Valley District Membership chair, volunteers at Prior to the presentation, we will have a roundup of volunteers
the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke. for specific small task requests for help at Annual Conference (eg,
registration, auction and PAC set up, as well as tasks we haven’t
yet identified).
Valley District is growing in membership numbers and volun-
teerism! Twenty three volunteers turned out for the Blue Ridge October 14–16, 2011
Marathon on April 16 despite the downpour of rain! Volunteers Annual Conference in Roanoke, VA
included students from Jefferson College of Health Science and (We are the hosting district this year!)
Lynchburg College as well as family and friends of local PTs and Location: Sheraton Inn, Roanoke
PTAs in the area. Volunteers cheered on marathoners and half Includes golf tournament at Huntington Hills Country Club on
marathoners from all over the nation while donning Mardi Gras Thursday, October 13; 2- and 3- day advanced- and beginner-lev-
hats, masks, and beads and whistling, blowing horns, and cheer- el courses as requested by the VPTA membership; vendor booths;
ing as participants passed by. Mardi Gras beads were handed out silent auction/friendly competition; PAC Party; PT Month “Fill
to participants as well! We aimed to win the $500 prize for best the Truck” donation to the FREE Foundation; and the Scott Sulli-
volunteer booth. To date, they have not announced the winner, van Run. Please contact rhuth@radford.edu to volunteer for small
but in my mind there’s no doubt about it. No matter what the portions or tasks for any of the above events.
outcome, all of our district volunteers were real troopers for com-
ing out to support people “Moving Forward.” A special thanks Tuesday, November 15, 2011
goes to Liz Shortt, PT, and her husband, Cody, for their help in Time: 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
rallying the troops and keeping all of us as dry as possible by Location: Total Motion PT, Christiansburg, VA
setting up their Virginia Tech tarps! Thanks again and again. Last Topic: Effective Neurologic/Pediatric Positioning
year, 4 volunteers, this year, 23. What’s possible next year? Yes, Presenter: Chesapeake Rehabilitation Equipment DME Rep
they have asked us to come back, so mark your calendars for next In addition, this is PHYSICAL THERAPY TRIVIA GAME NIGHT
April now! with prizes and fun!
Note this is a combined Valley and Mountain District meeting
In January, 41 members attended the January 18 meeting at Car- and we will be celebrating the holidays!
ilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. We had a productive discus-
sion about strategies to get the word out regarding direct access “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far
followed by a CEU lecture and group discussion presented by one can go.”
Jack Echternach, PT, EdD, ECS, FAPTA, on the new Code of Eth- T.S. Eliot
ics. In March, we had another fantastic turnout at our meeting
at Lewis Gale Hospital Inpatient Rehabilitation. The proposed Keep Moving Forward,
membership dues increase was presented to the 23 members in Renee Huth, PT, DPT
attendance with little discussion or expressed concern by student Valley District Chair
Page 8 The Virginian • Summer 2011
The Jackson Clinics is excited to announce the establishment of a
4-year physical therapy residency program in Ethiopia. In part-
nership with HVO and Regis University, we also will be launch-
ing the first DPT program on the continent of Africa in September
2011. The residency and DPT programs were conceived and are
fully funded by The Jackson Clinics. To learn more about these
exciting new ventures, visit the Web site at www.thejacksonclin-
ics.com and click on News and Events on the left of the front
page.
The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 9
student news
Marymount University students and Faculty Provide
Physical Therapy services in costa rica
our service mattered. We also got a chance to have some fun our-
selves; rummaging through wheelchair “grave yards” to find that
perfect piece for our patient’s new seating system, organizing
group exercise classes for our more high-functioning residents,
and partaking in a celebratory closing dinner with the sisters of
the Manos Abiertas orphanage.
Some of our most memorable experiences occurred in the Pre-
carios, the places in Costa Rica that you will never see in tourist
guides or hear described as destination points on your travels in
this beautiful country. The Precarios are home to some of the most
poverty-stricken Costa Ricans. In one house alone, measuring a
mere 25 by 25 feet, we found 4 families, 17 people in total, sharing
this packed space. Despite the overwhelming sense of poverty
and danger within the Precarios, there was an air of respect and
gratitude for us as medical professionals. The residents were able
Marymount University DPT student Victor Washington evaluates a to sense our genuine interest and concern for them. I’m sure our
client in the Precario school. rapport was helped when our professor Dr. Jason Craig whipped
out some balloon animals and started entertaining the children!
During February and March of this year, Marymount University’s
DPT program embarked on its first physical therapy mission trip. As we navigated the treacherous terrain of El Erizo, one wom-
Twenty five Marymount University third-year DPT students, 2 an in dire need of our help stood out among the rest. Through
Marymount faculty members, and 1 Northern Virginia Commu- our interpreter, we learned that this young woman had fallen
nity College Physical Therapist Assistant Program faculty mem- 3 months previously and had injured her back so severely that
ber provided 2 weeks of physical therapy services in Costa Rica she could not find relief from her excruciating pain in any posi-
in the San Jose area at 2 long-term care facilities (Manos Abiertas tion. She had seen a doctor who had taken X-rays and suggested
and Corazon Redentor) and 2 shanty communities, also known as she use a wheelchair, take Tylenol, and follow up with him in 3
Precarios (Tropica 2 and El Erizo). Our main goals while in Costa months. Her X-rays revealed that she had essentially lost all of
Rica were to evaluate, treat, and create medical documentation
with progressing plans of care for all residents of the facilities. In Continued on page 11.
the Precarios, we wanted to perform medical screens within the
community and provide more thorough evaluations and inter-
ventions for the individuals most in need of our physical therapy
services.
The majority of our time was spent at the 2 facilities that were
run by an order of extremely loving, caring, and generous nuns.
The residents of the facilities ranged in age from infancy to adult-
hood and presented with a wide array of physical, cognitive, and
neurological impairments. Once the students and I got over our
initial “deer in the headlights” appraisal of our situation (amid
language barriers, unfamiliarity with the facilities and staff, and
overall naiveté in relation to the circumstances and our patients),
we dove into evaluating and treating the residents. Working
with medically complex patients—many of whom had breathing
tubes, tracheotomies, and feeding tubes—reinforced for us how
great the need for physical therapy services is at these facilities.
We were fortunate to have therapeutic pools at each place to per-
form aquatic therapy with residents with severe spasticity and
weakness. Students used their knowledge and skills learned in
school to improve residents’ respiratory function, seating and
positioning, tonal issues, and muscular weakness. Most impor-
tantly, we provided each resident with much needed love and MU DPT students Pam Jennings and Kristin Pearl work with a
care. Through the residents’ giggles and smiles, we all knew that resident at Manos Abiertes.
Page 10 The Virginian • Summer 2011
Marymount University students and Faculty Provide
Physical Therapy services in costa rica student stipend Winner
Continued from page 10. enjoys csM in the Big easy
the vertebral disc space between L4-L5 and had an apparent L5
compression fracture. To our chagrin, our supplies did not arrive
in time to provide this woman with a much-needed back brace
to stabilize her spine; however, we worked diligently to attempt
to alleviate her pain and procure appropriate medication, a sig-
nificant concern for our breast-feeding patient. It was this patient
and many others whom we saw that day that really illustrated the
need for trained clinicians who can provide primary care services
and education to maximize the Precarios occupants’ indepen-
dence in an environment that is very inaccessible and dangerous.
Having the opportunity to serve in Costa Rica was an experience
that has changed me forever as a clinician and a person. It was
an amazing discovery to see the healing capabilities of my hands
and my spirit while working with each patient. The invaluable
clinical experience and inspiring patients that I worked with will Left to right: Lisa McVey, PT, DPT, CCS; and DPT students Courtney
always remind me of the kind of physical therapist I want to be Wells, Lauren Everetts, and Molly Dymond.
and the work I want to do. I am extremely excited for the next
group of Marymount students who will visit Costa Rica, not only New Orleans is an amazing city, but when it is filled with thou-
because they will be able to continue on with the foundations that sands of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and
my class provided, but also for the life-changing experiences they physical therapy students—it is truly spectacular. I had the plea-
will have. sure of attending APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in
February thanks to receiving the VPTA stipend. Café du Monde,
I would like to offer a special thank you to Diana Venskus, PT, The Riverwalk, and Bourbon Street were lovely to see, but the
PhD, who collaborated with the International Service Learning Convention Center was the life of the party in New Orleans dur-
organization to make this trip happen. You can read more regard- ing CSM. I sat for an hour with my program trying to decide
ing Marymount University’s mission trip to Costa Rica in a blog which speakers I wanted to see and what platform presentations
by Jason A. Craig, PT, MCSP, at http://insidevoicescomeout. sounded the most interesting. There was simply too much to pick
wordpress.com/2011/02/19/. from. I wanted to see it all. I am not superwoman, so I didn’t get
to see everything, but the presentations and speakers that I got a
Megan Poll, SPT chance to see were excellent.
Marymount University Class of 2012
Not only was I attending CSM to learn from all of the amazing
speakers, I also was there to present a poster presentation with
2 of my fellow classmates. We had been working very hard since
our first year in PT school, and presenting at CSM before we
graduated was our goal from the beginning. We met our goal,
Virginia helps support and the reward of being in New Orleans was amazing! The re-
cord number of students that attended CSM was intriguing and
Marymount University’s impressive. I think this speaks volumes for the future of physical
therapy. Those of us that are entering the field are excited to learn
Mission Trip efforts new things and become great PTs and PTAs like our predecessors.
Marymount University DPT students collected used/ If it were not for the kind stipend that I was given by VPTA, I
new supplies and received generous donations to assist would not have been able to attend CSM and the goals that I set
them while working in Costa Rica. Kudos to the Northern in the beginning of my PT student career would not have been
Virginia Training Center, Key Center School, Iliff Nursing and achieved. I sincerely thank all members of VPTA and all those
Rehabilitation Center, and Greg Moffitt who made significant who put time and effort into making CSM happen. I am truly
contribution to this effort though donations and educational grateful!
experiences in preparation for this Mission Trip.
Lauren Everetts, SPT
Shenandoah University, Class of 2011
The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 11
noVA PTA students support Jackson clinics
Military Families launches residency
Program in ethiopia
The Jackson Clinics is excited to announce the establishment of a
4-year physical therapy residency program in Ethiopia. In part-
nership with HVO and Regis University, we also will be launch-
ing the first DPT program on the continent of Africa in September
2011. The residency and DPT programs were conceived and are
fully funded by The Jackson Clinics. To learn more about these
exciting new ventures, visit the Web site at www.thejacksonclin-
ics.com and click on News and Events on the left of the front
page.
radford University’s DPT
Program gains candidacy
NOV SPTAs Leah Doyle, Mike Klapper, and Alice Bischoff; Fisher
A On February 2, 2011, Radford University earned a major achieve-
House Manager Maurice Borde; SPTA Rebecca Brunner; and PTA Club ment in gaining candidacy status from the Commission on Ac-
Faculty Advisor Patty Ottavio, PT, MPH. creditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The process
has been challenging, but it has been strongly supported by many
both on and off campus. I wish to especially recognize Depart-
Students from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at ment Chair Ed Swanson, PT, PhD, and Director of Clinical Educa-
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) recently joined tion Renee Huth, PT, DPT, on their hard work and expert service
together in a fundraising effort to support the Fisher House to the University. Associate Dean Ken Cox provided constant
charity at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). support for faculty recruitment and program development. Pro-
After learning about the Fisher House at WRAMC from an vost Scartelli, Vice President Alvarez, Dean Grady, and Assistant
article in The Washington Post, the students were inspired by the Vice President Ridpath always were ready to provide their sage
Fisher House’s dedication to America’s military families and its guidance. President Kyle both inspired us and made this a real-
commitment to giving; 100% of donations to the Fisher House ity through her leadership. Candidacy also was made possible
are allocated to assist military families at WRAMC. by the exceptional support of our community partners, MFA and
Genesis Rehab. Thank you all for enabling us to make a difference
Fisher House charities at military installations around the coun- in Virginia! Please join me in thanking everyone who made this
try provide temporary housing services at no cost to the families possible!
of military members undergoing medical treatment. The Fisher
House’s activities not only help military families financially, but Raymond Linville, PhD
also allow them to be near their injured family members when Dean, Waldron College of Health & Human Services
the support is needed most. The current conflicts in Iraq and Af- Radford University
ghanistan have made the Fisher House’s services even more cru-
cial as veterans return from combat with a myriad of physical
ailments. The Fisher House is serving 10,000 military families per
year across the nation and in Europe. They are constructing 16
new locations to continue providing a “home away from home”
for the families of injured service members.
The PTA Club held 2 bake sales to benefit the Fisher House, one
in the fall and another for Valentine’s Day. In early April, the stu-
dents met with Maurice Borde, manager of the Fisher House at
WRAMC, and were given a tour of the facilities there. Using the
proceeds from the fundraiser, the students presented Borde with
a donation of $250 and a number of cleaning supplies on behalf
of the PTA program. The students hope to continue supporting
Fisher House activities in the future.
SPTAs Alice Bischoff, Mike Klapper, Leah Doyle, Rebecca Brunner,
Shasta Irick, Adria Chittenden, and Christa Bilbow
A
NOV Class of 2012
Page 12 The Virginian • Summer 2011
Volunteer
to screen
special olympics
Athletes
It’s that time of the year again to bring
out your altruistic side and put your
PT or PTA degree to good use. The
Virginia Special Olympic Summer
Games Fun Fitness (PT screening of
Special Olympic athletes) will take One, Two, or Three-Day Courses—you choose!
place Saturday, June 11, from 10:30 am
to 5:00 pm. The games will be held at
the University of Richmond. We need 16.75 CEUs for $345 if you register before September 16!
volunteers (PTs, PTAs, PT and PTA
students, as well as laymen) to help
screen the expected 250 athletes that Plus, VPTA’s 5th Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday,
will come through our screening sta- October 13!
tions.
How this works: Friday, October 14
The athletes rotate through stations (6 Ceus)
staffed by physical therapy volun-
teers who assess them on flexibility, Evaluation and Treatment of the Sacroiliac Joint and the
balance, aerobic conditioning, and Influence of Pelvic Dysfunction on the Kinetic Chain
strength. An e-mail will be sent, in David M. Volkringer, PT, MPT, OCS
plenty of time before the games, to
instruct you on how to perform the Vestibular Disorders in the Acute Care Setting
measurements. All you have to do is
show up for the allotted time and have Michele L. Campeau, PT, DPT, MA
fun. Lunch is provided. The event is
held at the Robins Center and parking saturday–sunday, October 15–16
is free on the campus. Please sign up
to volunteer for the whole day, 10:30 (10.75 Ceus)
am–2:30 pm, or 1:00 pm–5:00 pm. Optimizing Care and Outcomes for the Complex
Any and all help is greatly appreci-
ated. For those coming from greater
Geriatric Patient
than 2 hours away, lodging will be Alice Bell, PT, GCS
provided the Friday night before the
screening. Rehabilitation From the Ground Up: Foot and Ankle Structural
Assessment and the Lower- Extremity Kinetic Chain
Thanks for your help! Please let us
know you’ll be coming by e-mailing
Brian R. Hoke, PT, DPT, SCS
laurathoene@gmail.com. Don’t for-
get to recruit your coworkers, family, Friday–sunday (3-day course), October 14–17
and friends! We’ll be in touch over the
next few months with more informa- (16.75 Ceus)
tion as we have it. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Approach to
Gait Training
Laura Thoene, PT, DPT
Bryan Gilreath, PT Catherine Finch, PT, IPNFAI
Clinical Directors of the Fun Fitness Suzanne White, PT, IPNFAI
Program
registration opens June 15, 2011.
register before september 16 to receive a discounted fee.
Check www.vpta.org for more details!
The Virginian • Summer 2011 Page 13
A DPT program that’s designed with your
responsibilities in mind
100% Online
Rolling Admissions
7 Entry Points per Year
The ONLINE Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy
Designed for practicing physical therapists, the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an innovative,
100% online program. Integrating art and science, as well as professional and experiential education,
the curriculum provides the necessary knowledge base to practice in today’s health care environment.
Online courses within this doctoral program address differential diagnosis and medical screening,
diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, nutrition, and motor control. In addition, a variety of specialization
areas are available, including:
• Advanced Nutrition • Business Management • Geriatrics • Pediatrics
• Autonomous Practice • Education • Orthopedics • Women’s Health
This doctoral program culminates with a capstone project, where students prepare a comprehensive and
publishable case report.
For more information or to apply, call 877.668.7727 or visit www.northeastern.edu/cps/dpt
www.northeastern.edu/cps/dpt
Page 14 The Virginian • Summer 2011