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Physical Therapy News & Events
2009 Marjorie Ionta Grant
The Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Marjorie Ionta Grant. The deadline for application is January 31, 2009. Please see attached PDF document for eligibility requirements, as well as directions for application and submission.
Download the 2009 Ionta Grant application.
– PDF-File, 371.2 KB
November 2008: Paralympic Champion Assists Physical Therapy Students
Doctor of Physical Therapy students at the MGH Institute were treated to a little star power this month when Maureen McKinnon-Tucker made her bi-annual visit to the graduate school.
McKinnon-Tucker captured first place at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, becoming the first disabled woman sailor to win a gold medal. And while she was happy to show her medal to the students, it was only a brief diversion from her real mission: to help students better understand the challenges of assisting people with disabilities.
“I really enjoy coming in and working with the students,” said the 43-year-old McKinnon-Tucker, who lives in Marblehead, MA.
“It would be impossible for students to really know how to work with a paraplegic without people like Maureen coming in,” remarked her long-time friend, Associate Professor Dr. Patricia Sullivan, who invited her to the class.
“It’s a privilege for her to offer advice on how to work with disabled patients,” said Tommy Wong, one of the second-year students in the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”
McKinnon-Tucker, who learned to sail when she was 20, was paralyzed in the 1990s when she fell off a seawall. After some time off, she returned to the sport and eventually become a crew member on a four-person boat, and just barely missed out on qualifying for the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Her switch to a two-person boat for the 2008 Games proved more fruitful.
“It was unbelievable to win a gold medal,” said the 43-year-old, who raced this year despite the fact her two-year-old son, Trent, had been diagnosed with cancer during the trials.
With her son cancer-free, she continues her work with the Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston, where disabled people can learn to sail. “Recreational opportunities for the disabled, especially children, are very limited,” she told the students, “but the ability to empower them is pretty cool.”
October 2008: Maura Iversen Wins Prestigious Advocacy Award
Maura Daly Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH, professor and associate director of graduate programs in physical therapy and assistant professor and clinical researcher, division of rheumatology, immunology, and allergy at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, received the Ann Kunkel Advocacy Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, a division of the American College of Rheumatology, during the October 2008 ACR / ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco.
The Ann Kunkel Advocacy Award is presented to a member with a history of advocating at local, regional and national levels. It is named in honor of ARHP member Ann Kunkel, a patient educator in pediatric rheumatology whose enthusiasm and persistence has inspired many members to join the effort to increase arthritis awareness.
Dr. Iversen is active in the Arthritis Foundation, both nationally and internationally. She has helped coordinate conferences and activities for children with juvenile arthritis and their families. Dr. Iversen spearheaded Camp Diversity with the Girl Scouts of America and the Arthritis Foundation to promote children’s understanding of arthritis and its related disabilities. She has raised money running marathons, coordinated fundraising events—such as the Arthritis Walk— and chaired auctions and celebrity dinners for the Massachusetts Chapter Arthritis Foundation to raise money for patient education and advocacy.
Dr. Iversen is a longtime member of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals and has served on numerous ARHP and ACR committees. She is a former member of the ARHP advocacy committee and a current member of the ACR’s RHEUMPAC. For many years, she has worked to lobby senators and congressmen both locally and at the Capitol to encourage support for legislation that benefits patients and providers who care for patients with arthritis. Her recent efforts have focused specifically on activities to pass the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act.”
October 2008: 2nd Year DPT Students Continue Running Partnership
Second year Doctor of Physical Therapy students Hannah Ochoa, Melissa McKeon, Amy Sulser, Andrea Wamsley, and Andy Sobuta are working with Running Partners to fulfill their community outreach course requirements.
This year's collaboration between the graduate school's students and the Partners running club involves the students asking people to complete a survey that will help them develop a health promotions project for the spring of 2009.
The students, with support from faculty member Dr. DJ Mattson, will take the survey information to review topics such as running performance, health, and injury prevention.
October 2008: Information About Current Physical Therapy Students
Below is a sampling of what some of the Institute's Physical Therapy students are doing:
Publications:
Boisgontier M (MSPT '10), Vuillerme N, Thomas D, Pinsault N, Emprin M, Caillat-Miousse JL. Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the range of motion recovery in hand proximal interphalangeal sprain. Science & Sports. 2008 (in press). (doi:10.1016/j.scispo.2008.09.001).
Local Presentations:
Lamia Al-Zayer, MSPT '09: Presented “Critical Case Analysis of TBI" as an in-service at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, July 23, 2008
Gunjan Jethani, MSPT '09: Presented "Biomechanics and Functional Anatomy of Lumbo-sacral Region" at Beth Israel Deacons Medical Center- Outpatient Physical Therapy Department. 6th October 2008.
David Nolan, DPT, MSPT, '09: Presented a seminar entitled "Biomechanical Dysfunction of the Lower Quarter: Problem Solving with Integrated Video Analysis" for the Massachusetts Chapter APTA Southern Metro District at the Nangeroni Conference Center, Milton Hospital, Sept 23, 2008.
Upcoming National and International Presentations:
Spiros Papagiannopoulos, MSPT '09: Invited to give a presentation for the National Child Neurology Association in Greece. The conference will be held on 13-14 of December 2008, Athens Imperial Hotel. The title will be: Muscular Dystrophies: Assessment and Intervention.
Ruchita Vora, MSPT '08: Invited to present to APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb, 2009. Ruchita will present her thesis entitled," Factors Affecting Adherence to Osteoporosis Medications: Viewpoints of Patients and Providers.
September 2008: Physical Therapy Announces Tracks in Geriatrics
The Physical Therapy program has created a Certificate of Advanced Study and Master's of Physical Therapy in Geriatrics. The two offerings are the graduate school’s response to the expected explosion of older Americans in the next decade, as the Baby Boomers reach the peak of retirement age.
"We are excited to launch this specialty concentration program for licensed physical therapists in geriatric physical therapy,” said Associate Program Director Maura Iversen, who will be in charge of the programs which are slated to begin in January 2009. “We believe this coursework plus clinical preceptorships and residencies in this area will prepare our students for expert specialty practice."
The application deadline to these two programs is November 1, 2008.
In addition, a Residency in Physical Therapy focusing on geriatrics is scheduled to begin in September 2009. Current physical therapists can contact Dr. Maura Iversen at (617) 724-6446 or miversen@mghihp.edu.
NEWS: Good News for Orthopedic Residents
The House of Delegates recently amended the bylaws of the APTA to allow physical therapists who are enrolled in PTA credentialed post-professional residency and fellowship programs reduced APTA membership dues. Effective immediately, residents and fellows of APTA credentialed programs now qualify for reduced dues under the “Physical Therapist – Post Professional Student” category. ABPTS now offers a $100 refund for applicants for the certified specialist examination who have graduated from an APTA credentialed residency or fellowship program. Applicants should continue to pay the full amount and can expect a refund of $100 if they indicate that they are graduated from a credentialed residency or fellowship program.NEWS: Post-professional student elected to APTA Board of Directors
Stephen McDavitt, PT, MS, FAAOMPT, of Falmouth, ME, practicing physical therapist at Saco Bay Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Spine Center in Scarborough, was re-elected to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Board of Directors. He will serve a 3 year term.
NEWS: Tina DiCenso-Fleming '06 Receives Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation Award
Tina DiCenso-Fleming '06, received the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation Award for Caregiving Excellence from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The annual award was established to honor direct caregivers in any of Spaulding's rehabilitation settings --hospital, transitional care unit, or outpatient centers -- who demonstrate their commitment to the Spaulding mission through their everyday interactions with patients, families, and staff. The award recognizes individuals who embody Spaulding's core values and principles and who serve as inspirations and models to other caregivers. These values and principles are: Patient, Focus, Excellence, Teamwork, Leadership, and Advocacy.
NEWS: tDPT alumnae publish "Age-Defying Fitness"
Two Transitional DPT alumnae, Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA '06 and Carole Lewis, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA '07, recently signed copies of their new book, Age-Defying Fitness (Peachtree Publishers) at a fundraiser for the Foundation for Physical Therapy.NEWS: PT Students Can Access Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy
The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy online (copyright permission granted) is now accessible to MGH Institute physical therapy students.