The USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences has launched a new state-of-the-art simulation lab – the Chalsty Rehabilitation Experiential Learning Laboratory – revolutionizing the way students gain practical experience in the field. This innovative facility allows students to familiarize themselves with inpatient settings, providing invaluable hands-on training before they embark on their clinical education or begin their professional practice.

Designed to simulate real-world environments, the simulation lab offers a safe space for students to hone their skills and become acquainted with the intricacies of patient care. By familiarizing themselves with the equipment and procedures commonly encountered in clinical settings, students can build confidence and enhance their overall readiness when transitioning to actual patient care.

Located conveniently within the school building, the simulation lab ensures seamless integration of theory and practice. Students can seamlessly transition from lectures in the adjacent classrooms to the simulation lab, applying the knowledge they have just acquired. This proximity facilitates a comprehensive and efficient learning experience, enriching students’ educational journey and preparing them for future challenges.

“Our clinical partners have expressed their satisfaction with the training provided through our program,” said Melissa Lazinski, PT, DPT, DHSc, assistant professor of the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist. “When students arrive at the clinic, they are not starting from scratch but are already familiar with many essential aspects. This allows them to hit the ground running, adapting to diverse inpatient settings more effectively.”

The significance of the Chalsty Rehabilitation Experiential Learning Laboratory extends beyond the convenience it offers to students. It enables learners to navigate the complexities of patient safety, intervention appropriateness, and monitoring. By incorporating realistic patient pathologies into the training scenarios, students develop a deep understanding of the critical factors involved in ensuring the well-being of their future patients.

“The reason we want to make sure that students get to practice their skills here is because, depending on what the pathology is for this patient, the students are going to have to understand and determine the safety of the patient and make sure their interventions are appropriate and safe,” said Bini Thomas, PT, DPT, MSA, EdD, assistant professor of the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

While celebrating the accomplishments of the new simulation lab, the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences remains committed to continuous improvement and exploring further advancements. With a passion for innovation, faculty and staff actively seek opportunities to enhance lab utilization, improve the curriculum, and pursue future advancements.

Furthermore, by providing these valuable learning experiences in-house, students gain exceptional opportunities. The advanced technology sets a new standard in physical therapy education, nurturing the growth of skilled and compassionate professionals.

Story, video and photos by Ryan Rossy, USF Health Communications

A new device created at the University of South Florida – and including a cross-disciplinary team of experts from USF engineering, physical therapy and neurology – is showing early promise for helping correct the signature limp experienced by many stroke survivors.

Called the Gait Enhancing Mobile Shoe (GEMS), the shoe attachment is the result of multidisciplinary work and expertise in USF’s engineering, physical therapy, and neurology programs.

In addition to offering stroke patients good outcomes for improving their gait and balance, a preliminary study is showing the shoe also provides several advantages over a current stroke rehabilitation tool – the split-belt treadmill – including lower cost, greater convenience, and mobility.

“This is early in the process but we’re seeing the benefits we expected so it’s very promising,” said Kyle Reed, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the USF College of Engineering and principal investigator for the preliminary study on GEMS.

“We really want to help people who are limited in their walking ability to improve enough so they can return to the activities of their daily lives. The long-term hope is that this shoe attachment could be less expensive and safe enough that, once trained on how to use it, patients could take the GEMS home for therapy.”

Dr. Kim helps a patient try the GEMS shoe attachment.

Reed developed the GEMS shoe along with Seok Hun Kim, PT, PhD, associate professor in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and co-principal investigator for the GEMS study. In 2010, Dr. Reed received funding from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a clinical trial of a small group of stroke survivors trying the GEMS; the study is not for severe stroke survivors, but mild to moderate stroke survivors.

The study also includes USF Health stroke expert David Z. Rose, MD, associate professor in the Department of Neurology in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, who said he sees the GEMS as a great potential option for stroke patients to improve their mobility.

“Many stroke patients are devastated that their ability to walk on their own can be so limited, even around their own homes,” Dr. Rose said. “Early data for the GEMS is very promising and the next phases of study will really help us see its true potential.”

Many stroke patients develop an asymmetric gait because of damage to their central nervous system, resulting in difficulty moving their affected leg – they can’t extend their foot backward enough, which prevents natural pushing off into the swing phase experienced in an unaffected walk.

Typical stroke rehabilitation to improve gait symmetry involves using a split-belt treadmill that offers two independent belts operating at different speeds to exaggerate the asymmetry of the patient’s gait.

But an odd yet natural thing happens when patients leave the treadmill – their brain returns to a fixed-floor state and they regress, with many finding it difficult to recreate the gait correction on solid ground, a regression that is called an after effect.

While generally successful for improving stroke patients’ gaits, the split-belt treadmill is expensive, requires a dedicated space to house and a qualified staff to monitor sessions and, because of after effect, can require more time for patients to master the correction, said Seok Hun Kim, PT, PhD, associate professor in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

“The GEMS allows movement across any safe surface, thus ‘rewiring’ the brain to learn the new compensation technique for everyday walking, not just for when they are on the treadmill,” Dr. Kim said.

“The GEMS is generally worn on the unaffected side, helping the patient use their affected side to compensate for the irregular footing.”

While early results of this preliminary study are showing strong support for a successful approach to improving the gait of stroke patients, more detailed study with more patients will be necessary. Dr. Kim said a full study, one that compares to the current approach with the split-belt treadmill, is critical before clinicians adjust their approach.

Dr. Kyle Reed demonstrates the GEMS shoe.

Story by Sarah Worth, photos and video by Sandra C. Roa, USF Communications

Laura Lee (Dolly) Swisher, PT, PhD, FNAP, FAPTA, has been named interim director for the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences by Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Dolly Swisher.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, Dr. Swisher will act as a temporary replacement for Dr. William S. “Sandy” Quillen, DPT, PhD, FACSM, who, after a long and successful career, resigned as director earlier this month and will remain at the School as a tenured faculty member beginning Spring Semester 2017.

“Dr. Swisher is eminently qualified to assume the post of interim director, is a founding faculty member for the School, and has very sound ideas about how to keep the School moving forward,” Dr. Lockwood said. “She will continue the upward path so clearly defined by Dr. Quillen in raising the profile and standing of the School and pushing to meet the state’s demand for an increasingly sophisticated health care workforce.”

Dr. Swisher, who has been with USF since 1998, is professor and assistant dean for interprofessional education for the Morsani College of Medicine, and coordinator of professional education for the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. Her professional experience includes clinical work in the outpatient, hand therapy, subacute, and inpatient settings.

Known for her scholarship in ethics, professionalism, and interprofessional education, Dr. Swisher is the author of journal publications, books, and book chapters about ethics, professionalism, ethics education, and interprofessional education. She has chaired the Ethics and Judicial Committee of the American Physical Therapy Association and has served as co-chair of the Task Force to Revise the Core Ethics Documents.

As a member of the editorial board and a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation, she brings a commitment to developing an awareness of the human moral foundation for care and professionalism.

She currently chairs the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Dr. Swisher has won a variety of teaching awards, as well as multiple national awards for her work, most recently being named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow by the American Physical Therapy Association.

A search will begin in the New Year for the School’s permanent director.

As 2015 comes to a close and we look ahead to new opportunities in 2016, let’s reflect on some of USF Health’s highlights and accomplishments over the past year:

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THE YEAR’S TOP STORY:  USF gets green light to build new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Health Heart Institute under one roof in downtown Tampa

The unprecedented opportunity became a reality in 2015, propelled by the alignment of a series of events — including a generous donation by steadfast USF supporters Carol and Frank Morsani, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s visionary plan to develop a waterfront district in downtown Tampa, former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford’s championing of the Heart Institute’s funding, and a new spirit of collaboration between USF and Tampa General Hospital.  A site dedication for the future home of the USF Health medical school and heart institute was held Dec. 8.

At the Dec. 8 site dedication for the future home of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa, USF Health medical students pose with USF President Judy Genshaft (left) and Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean, Morsani College of Medicine (next to USF mascot Rocky D. Bull). Photo by Aimee Blodgett, USF Photographer.

The proposal to make this academic facility integrating superior medical education, translational research and clinical care a key anchor of Mr. Vinik’s downtown development project was quickly endorsed by city and county officials and virtually every segment of the Tampa Bay region.  After careful review, the USF Board of Trustees, Florida Board of Governors, state legislators and the Governor recognized the value of the project, both to advance USF’s academic and research missions and to drive innovation and economic development.

– USF dedicates downtown Tampa site of new Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute
– Governor approves funding for Morsani College of Medicine move downtown
– USF medical school on the move

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College of Nursing graduates first group of veterans to BSN students

The College of Nursing’s first cohort of students in the Veterans to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) program students graduated Dec. 11 at the USF fall commencement. Bolstered by a $1.25-million Department of Health and Human Services grant, USF offers veterans and service members the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing through an innovative, rigorous program that builds upon their military health care training and experience.

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Think team: Interprofessional health training for disasters

USF Health students from nursing, medicine, public health, pharmacy and physical therapy gathered for the first critical incident and emergency preparedness simulation training Nov. 10.

Donna Petersen, ScD, dean of the USF College of Public Health, is administered a flu vaccination by a nursing student at the college’s free flu shot drive. Deans from all four USF Health colleges turned out to show their support for the community service event.

Rolling up our sleeves to protect against flu

The USF College of Public Health sponsored its 19th yearly free flu vaccination drive, in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Health Department. An interdisciplinary team of faculty and residents supervised USF nursing and medical students who administered shots Nov. 13  to adults from the university and surrounding community.

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USF Health celebrates “10 Together as One” 

USF Health faculty, staff and students gathered beneath the oaks near Lake Behnke in October to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of USF Health. A decade ago, USF Health was created around a mission of envisioning and implementing the future of health.  A commitment, which continues today, was made to improve the full spectrum of health, from the environment, to the community, to the individual.

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Physical Therapy Class of 2018 takes an oath of commitment to professionalism

The achievements of USF Health’s relatively young School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences were highlighted at this year’s Commitment to Professionalism ceremony in October.  Among them were welcoming the school’s most selective Doctoral of Physical Therapy (DPT) class ever, with 47 Class of 2018 students chosen from among 1,299 applicants.  Additionally, this year the school admitted its first student to the new PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences degree program, and USF accepted its first resident into the Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program.

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USF Health, TGH open storefront health care experience at Muma JA BizTown

Can a fifth grader be a surgeon, a nurse, a pharmacist, a hospital CEO? At the Muma Junior Achievement BizTown in September, cosponsors USF Health and Tampa General Hospital celebrated the opening of a storefront “hospital” where Hillsborough County fifth graders can take on roles in various health care careers for a day.

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USF Health physicians earn top spots as 2015-16 Best Doctors in America

The number of USF Health physicians making the biennial Best Doctors in America® list continues to grow. This year, the local list included 129 USF Health doctors who care for patients and families throughout the Tampa Bay region. More than two-thirds of the Best Doctors at our primary teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital, are USF Health physicians.

Navigator Philip Conti of the Hillsborough County Division of Health Care Services speaks with Jodi Ray, principal investigator of the USF Navigator grant; Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn; and Michael Smith, special assistant to the President.

USF once again wins country’s largest Navigator grant

This September, for the second consecutive year, Jodi Ray’s team at the Florida Covering Kids & Families program, USF College of Public Health, was awarded the largest Navigator grant in the country — $5.9 million. Over the last three years, USF has been awarded more than $14.5 million in federal Navigator grants to help eligible uninsured Floridians get health care coverage.  The team’s success working with consortium partners across the state on education and outreach has garnered national media attention. This year’s enrollment event at the Marshall Student Center on Nov. 1 was visited by a White House official and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

USF Health’s Dr. Charles Lockwood with Kathryn J. Gillette, Bayfront Health Market President and CEO.

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg becomes newest affiliate in Pinellas County

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg signed an affiliation agreement this fall with USF Health to help expand and strengthen the health care provided to patients in key medical and surgical specialties. Bayfront Health initially contracted with USF Health physicians who practice in the specialty areas of general and interventional cardiology and colorectal surgery.

The USF Health transitioned to the Epic electronic health records system in seven months; the typical changeover takes more than 18 months.

Epic electronic health records system launched

USF Health converted to Epic electronic health records (EHR) system at all its clinical sites Aug. 1, launching a new era of efficiency, improved patient care and safety, and a more cohesive system with Tampa General Hospital, its primary teaching hospital. Hundreds of people from various departments have participated in the process.

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USF Public Health first in state to launch new master’s curriculum

The USF College of Public Health became the first in Florida to update the curriculum for its master’s degree program, a step in tandem with a national effort to better train the public health workforce and improve population health. The changes reflect the national push to provide today’s public health professionals with real-world concepts that meet today’s public health needs. 

Kevin Sneed, PharmD, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, presents the good news about accreditation to his faculty.

Pharmacy earns its first full accreditation

In July, the USF College of Pharmacy earned its first full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), marking a huge milestone for the young school and validating the innovative education experience offered to its students.

Charles Paidas, MD, (far left) professor of surgery and vice dean for Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, chats with otolaryngology intern Lindsey Ryan, MD, (right) as a group follows him for grand rounds at Tampa General Hospital during the first day for new residents.

First Day: USF physician residents embrace their specialty training

On July 1, the national start to residency training programs, new-to-USF residents were deployed to many clinical facilities and hospitals across the Tampa Bay area affiliated with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.  This year’s residents and fellows totaled 238 — with about 45 percent starting at Tampa General Hospital, 25 percent at James A. Haley VA Hospital, 15 percent at Moffitt Cancer Center, and the remaining at various other sites.

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First USF Health Commencement marks milestone for 600 graduates

The first-ever USF Health commencement ceremony May 1 brought together all the undergraduate and graduate candidates from the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health and Pharmacy, as well as the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.  The ceremony in USF’s Sundome marked the graduation of the College of Pharmacy’s inaugural class and recognized the 30^th anniversary of the USF College of Public Health, the state’s first accredited school of public health.

Christiano Caldeira, MD, president and CEO of Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery, in one of the cardiac operating rooms at Tampa General Hospital, where FACT surgery performs most of their more than 600 heart and lung surgeries a year.

USF Health, Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery team up to expand education and research

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine launched an academic partnership with one of the top heart and lung transplant surgery groups in the country to expand the university’s education and research opportunities in advanced cardiovascular care. The partnership opens the door for USF to work closely with Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery, based at Tampa General Hospital, to create accredited fellowships in cardiothoracic surgery and subspecialties such as heart and lung transplantation and heart surgery.

This year, Military Times reported USF as the #2 Best For Vets university in the country, a ranking likely influenced by #1 rankings for both the College of Nursing and the College of Public Health as “Top Veteran-Friendly Schools.”

USF Nursing and Public Health each named No. 1 in Top 10 veteran-friendly schools rankings

In May College Factual ranked the USF College of Nursing the #1 veteran-friendly school in the nation for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  That was followed in June by a first-place ranking for USF College of Public Health’s undergraduate program in College Factual’s “Top 10 Veteran-Friendly Public Health Schools” list.  Both top spots were reported in Military Times magazine.

– College Factual names USF #1 in top 10 ranking of veteran-friendly nursing schools
– USF undergraduate public health program ranked No. 1 among nation’s best for veterans

Leadership of USF Health and Florida Hospital Tampa, as well as medical faculty and student volunteers, pose for a photo at the soft opening of the BRIDGE Clinic at Florida Hospital.

USF Health and Florida Hospital Tampa partner to expand BRIDGE clinic

Further strengthening ties between the two institutions, Florida Hospital Tampa this April committed $1.2 million in donated goods and services to the University of South Florida to help expand community-centered medical care through the USF Health BRIDGE Clinic. The partnership will increase access to specialty care for uninsured residents served by the USF Health student-run program and significantly increase the number of patients seen.

Dr. Kevin Sneed, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, meets “Fill” (short for Refill), the small humanoid robot who made his debut at the Pharmacy Plus open house.

Pharmacy Plus Open House introduces robotic “greeter”

Faculty, staff, students and patients got a close-up look at USF Health’s “Pharmacy of the Future” when Pharmacy Plus held an open house April 22 to inform the USF community of its full range of services, including making onsite pharmacists an integral part of the entire health care team.

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USF med students find their residencies with Match Madness

The largest Match Day class in the history of USF’s medical school — 128 students, including the charter group of SELECT students — moved their 2015 Match Day celebration from Skipper’s Smokehouse to a more spacious venue at Ulele restaurant, along the banks of the Hillsborough River and Tampa’s Riverwalk.  The new spot is closer to downtown Tampa, the future home of the Morsani College of Medicine.  March 20, 2015 was also the first time that the USF College of Pharmacy celebrated its own Match Day.

– Morsani College of Medicine graduates 128 new physicians
– Students anticipate USF’s first Pharmacy Match Day

Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and medical school dean, with FOI President Dr. Roy Sanders.

USF Health and Florida Orthopaedic Institute sign new academic affiliation agreement

USF Health and Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI), Florida’s largest private orthopaedic group, forged a new academic affiliation in March, aimed at creating a pre-eminent department of orthopaedic surgery at the University of South Florida over the next decade. FOI President Dr. Roy Sanders was named chair of the USF Orthopaedics Department as part of this stronger partnership to advance clinical training and research.

USF was ranked as Florida’s top graduate nursing program by U.S. News & World Report, surpassing such schools as the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Miami.

U.S. News ranks USF Nursing and Public Health graduate programs among nation’s best

Graduate programs at the University of South Florida’s College of Nursing and College of Public Health ranked among the nation’s best in the latest U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools” edition, appearing online in March. Last ranked by U.S. News in 2011, the College of Nursing’s graduate program ranking jumped substantially from number 64 to number 38. The College of Public Health ranked 16 — up from 21 when the school was last ranked three years ago.

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25th USF Health Research Day: A celebration of research and collaboration

This year’s Research Day (Feb. 20)  marked the 25th time USF Health’s emerging scientists came together to present their projects.  Inside the Marshall Center Ballroom was a celebratory buzz of activity, with rows and rows of bulletin boards holding the work of students, residents, fellows and post-doctoral researchers from across USF Health, including some collaborations with main campus researchers.

The interdisciplinary team includes, standing from left, USF Health’s Dr. Arthur Labovitz, Dr. Michael Alberts, Dr. Michael Fradley, Bernadette Shields, RN, cardio-oncology nurse coordinator at Moffitt, Dr. Roohi Ismail-Khan, and Larry Roy, administrator for the new Cardio-Oncology program.

USF Health, Moffitt Cancer Center Launch Florida’s First Cardio-Oncology Program

In January, USF Health and Moffitt Cancer Center started Florida’s first comprehensive academic Cardio-Oncology Program to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications caused by cancer treatment. The joint effort combines the expertise of cardiologists and oncologists to provide better care for cancer patients who have a history of cardiovascular disease or have developed cardiotoxic side effects from chemotherapy.

Commanding the stage with her powerful peformance of “Someone Like You,” USF pharmacy student Bionqua Lynch was the 2015 winner of the BANDaids for BRIDGE talent show.

BANDaids for BRIDGE showcases talent for a cause

The 4th Annual BandAIDS for BRIDGE Talent show packed the hall at the Pepin Hospitality Centre on Jan. 9 — entertaining students, faculty, staff and friends of USF Health with energetic acts ranging from heartfelt singing and dancing to musical arrangements and comedy. Beyond showcasing student talent, the event benefits the USF BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic, a nationally recognized initiative of students from several colleges and schools that provides free health care to underserved residents of the University Area Community.

RELATED ARTICLE:  Top 10 most popular USF Health stories

Videos by Sandra C. Roa and photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications and Marketing
Nursing fall pinning ceremony video by Ryan Noone, USF College of Nursing

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Humility, grit and gratefulness, three traits every physical therapy student should have throughout their careers.

That’s the advice from Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS, president of the American Physical Therapy Association, as she provided the keynote address to the Commitment to Professionalism Ceremony for the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

The event, held Oct. 15 in the USF College of the Arts Theatre I, welcomed incoming Doctor of Physical Therapy students to the profession and signified their transition into a career founded on helping patients return to quality lives after injury.

Dr. Sharon Dunn

“Your humility has to be genuine,” Dr. Dunn told the Class of 2018. “A healthy fear is a good thing. Know that you cannot possible know everything – add people who fill the deficits. It may feel better to surround yourself with people who agree with you, but nothing good comes from isolated decision making.”

For grit, she advised the group to roll up their sleeves and have perseverance.

“It’s hard to beat somebody who doesn’t quit,” she said.

And for gratitude, she turned to the audience to acknowledge the family members present, reminding the students that they are the people who helped them be at this ceremony today.

“Don’t forget your roots,” she said. “The character you have comes from your home training.”

The Class of 2018 in the DPT program has 47 students and represents one of the School’s most selective groups, said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean for the Morsani College of Medicine.

“The Class of 2018 is our most selective, chosen from among 1,299 applicants,” Dr. Lockwood said. “So you only had about a 4 percent chance of getting in.”

Dr. Charles Lockwood

Dr. Lockwood also noted several other achievements of the young School:

• It enrolled its first cohort of students in the legislatively funded USF-University of West Florida academic partnership.
• The Florida Board of Governors approved the School’s PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences degree program this year.
• And USF accepted its first resident into the College’s Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program.

Along with making introductions for the Ceremony, William S. Quillen, PT, PhD, SCS, FACSM, professor and director of the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and associate dean for the Morsani College of Medicine, announced several awards and acknowledgments, including the Nicolosi Commitment to Professional Award, which went to second-year DPT student Arlene Shi, and the Spirit of Interprofessionalism Award, which went to Dr. David Ecker, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Dr. Sandy Quillen

While the white coat itself is a symbol of knowledge, trust and responsibility, the School’s Commitment to Professionalism Ceremony also conveys other symbolism.

“In some ways it is less about the white coats than it is about a transformation of the heart,” said Laure Lee “Dolly” Swisher, PT, MDiv, PhD, FAPTA, professor and coordinator of professional education and assistant dean for Interprofessional Education for the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Dr. Dolly Swisher

Each student will make several stops in travelling across the stage, she prefaced, before explaining each step.

As they walk toward center stage, toward their clinical faculty mentors: “This represents entry into the community of physical therapy professionals and the willingness to share in the joys as well as responsibilities of the practice of physical therapy.”

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Putting on the coat: “This represents a ‘Donning the mantle of professional responsibility’ with the assistance of trusted mentors.”

Receiving a copy of the oath from the academic faculty: “Represents a commitment to embrace the physical therapy body of knowledge – as science, expertise, and art.  This is a commitment to constantly enhance one’s knowledge about practice, about the profession, and about the patients and clients that we serve.”

Receiving of gifts from students in the previous classes: “The gift and pin represents a commitment to current and future colleagues in pursuit of shared professional excellence. The gift also represents the generosity of professional colleagues in pursuing the shared goal of excellence and caring.”

As students complete their turn across the stage: “They will face family, friends, students, members of the clinical community, and others who have joined us – this represents accountability to family, future patients, other professionals and society as a whole. It is an acceptance that the freedom and privilege of physical therapy practice ultimately depends on being accountable to society, the physical therapy profession, and the public.  And that professional accountability is truly at the heart of being a professional – not simply in an abstract way but in a personal way in each and every minute of the day.”

After all 47 DPT students took those steps, they recited, in unison, the Physical Therapist’s Professional Oath, a promise of integrity, compassion, professionalism and evidence-based practice. What followed was a theatre full of cheers and applause from friends, family and classmates.

DPT Class of 2018 stats:

33 women, 14 men

Avg. Upper Div. GPA: 3.78

Avg. Prerequisite GPA: 3.61

Avg. Overall GPA: 3.68

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Video by Sandra C. Roa, story by Sarah Worth, photos by Eric  Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications.

As friends and family watched, 46 incoming students to the doctoral program of the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences recited in unison a promise to always provide compassionate and professional care to their patients.

The DPT Class of 2017 reading the Oath of Commitment to Professionalism (written by the class).

The Class of 2017 – the largest incoming class in the School’s history – was taking part in the Commitment to Professionalism Ceremony, an event meant to signify the beginning of careers as doctors of physical therapy. This year’s event was held Oct. 16 at the USF School of Music Concert Hall. In addition to the oath, students were presented with their white coats, also symbolizing their entry into their careers as physical therapy professionals.

The evening event began with a procession into the Concert Hall led by Gregory Nicolosi, PhD, playing a bagpipe. Dr. Nicolosi, who retired from USF as professor of physiology in the Morsani College of Medicine and executive associate vice president and interim dean/vice president, was instrumental in helping found the USF the School of Physical Therapy. The school has named an award in his honor.

The keynote address was given by Ruth B. Purtilo, PhD, FAPTA, professor emerita at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Dr. Purtilo’s talk was titled “Becoming a Professional: Where Are You Going and Why Does It Matter?”

The event also included the presentation of several awards. Casey Hodgin (DPT Class of 2015) was presented with the Vorholy Memorial Scholarship. Brittany Davis (DPT Class of 2016) earned the Nicolosi Commitment to Professionalism Award. And Steven Specter, PhD, MCOM Associate Dean for Alumni Relations, earned the Spirit of Interprofessionalism Award.

Molly Knight and Rebecca Graves, DPT 2016 Class Presidents, led the students as they recited their Commitment to Professionalism Oath. Faculty mentors then presented each student with a white coat, compliments of donors from across USF Health and the Tampa Bay community.

Vorholy Memorial Scholarship winner Casey Hodgin (DPT Class of 2015), with Dr. Quillen and Dr. Jason Highsmith (co-founder of the scholarship and classmate of Johnene Vorholy).

Nicolosi Commitment to Professionalism Award winner Brittany Davis (DPT Class of 2016) with Dr. Quillen and Dr. Greg Nicolosi.

Spirit of Interprofessionalism Award winner Dr. Steven Specter.

In addition to welcoming the largest incoming class, this year was the first that included students from the USF/University of West Florida educational partnership, in which graduates of UWF spend the first year of the DPT curriculum on the USF Tampa campus and then return to the UWF campus in Pensacola for the second and third years of the curriculum.

While it’s a symbol for beginning the DPT program, the Ceremony is purposefully held in October rather than August to correlate with Physical Therapy Month.

The USF DPT Class of 2017 has 46 students: 29 women (63%) and 17 men (37%).

Sarah Thompson receiving white coat from her clinical mentor, Kendall Lynch, and academic advisor, Seok Hun Kim.

Arlene Shi (center) and family.

From left, Kelsey Brown, Danielle Sims, Rebecca Graves.

 Photos by Laurie Ballard of Christie’s Photographic Solutions.

Corralling the details of every college activity, project and job has been greatly simplified for USF Health students with the unveiling of the new USF Health Student Portfolios.

The online software helps students from throughout USF Health collect information about every degree, award, presentation, job, research project, and activity while they are at USF Health, helping them create a personal bio sketch and CV that grows across time.

In addition to building a resume, the goal of USF Health Student Portfolios is to help students have an interactive conversation with mentors about their activities and goals, said Melissa Metzger, director of Academic Technologies and Digital Media for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

“It’s a place where students can have a back-and-forth with their mentors and counselors and fine-tune their portfolio as they progress to graduation, a process that, for medical students, can help them build the letters they use to apply for medical residencies,” Metzger said.

Another plus, Metzger said, is that the interaction is completely confidential because students and mentors are viewing the shared content via the secure Portfolios website.

“It’s all behind a log-in, so the virtual assistance is private and confidential, which isn’t the case with emails and attachments,” she said.

In addition to tracking academic experience and using the data to create customized and in-depth resumes and bio-sketches, Portfolios is accessible beyond graduation, allowing USF Health graduates to continue building on their career journeys.

Programs like Portfolios are becoming common among universities, Metzger said, especially medical schools, which will soon be required to have them by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME, the accrediting body for all U.S. medical schools) to have a system in place for students to evaluate career options and apply for residency programs.

“The good news is that we are way ahead of the requirement that is coming from the LCME,” Metzger said.

Portfolios was started in 2012 as a pilot project in the College of Public Health (COPH), in collaboration with Deanna Wathington, MD, MPH, associate dean for COPH Academic and Student Affairs, and David Hogeboom, MSPH, statistical data analyst at COPH. The goal was for COPH students to build a strong portfolio based on their degree work as they progressed toward graduation.

Portfolios quickly became the go-to place to track academic experience and has been expanded to now include all USF Health students, said Anne Jones, project manager for USF Health Information Systems, which designed and implemented Portfolios.

“A program like this is vital for student success in today’s academic settings,” Jones said. “Having a place to interact with mentors and accumulate countless details that can then be customized to fit every career need is invaluable.”

Hands-on experience with the program proved the point, as well.

“Student portfolios are a means of building your career visibility in a focused manner, avoiding duplication of efforts,” said Samuel Matos-Bastidas, a doctoral student in the College of Public Health.

“The Graduate Student Portfolio is a helpful tool to track relevant information throughout your graduate program,” said Kristin Steffen, a master’s student in the College of Public Health. “It helps me to know what competencies I am mastering as I progress through the Master’s program here in the College of Public Health.”

And the expansion to every USF Health student greater opportunities for lining up careers.

“Our curriculum reinforces the concept of developing a professional portfolio to be used as a networking tool in residency showcases, professional events and job opportunities,” said José G. León-Burgos, second-year student in the College of Pharmacy, who helped USF Health IS test the Portfolios expansion. “I think this digital portfolio will streamline the process of keeping our portfolio updated and I know that my colleagues will be very excited to start using this program.”

Mary Striby, USF Health IS assistant director of application development, was part of the team who unveiled Portfolios  to USF Health students at the grand opening of The WELL, the new student services center for USF Health students.

Some of the key features of USF Health Student Portfolios include:
• Pools all of your information to create a strong and in-depth CV.
• Allows for info from beyond the classroom, like community service, jobs, and outside activities.
• Data merges into Word so it can be rearranged to customize as needed.
• Accessible by advisors, mentors and counselors via log-in to track program progression and offer suggestions.
• Offers full access beyond graduation to continue adding career details.
• Merges with GEMS so USF teaching and research employment can be easily added.
• Offers flexibility in reporting for customized bio sketches.
• Uploads event attendance with a swipe of ID card, which instantly fills the calendar section of Portfolios.

There is no registering; every student with current USF Health account can login and start inputting information to build an academic experience portfolio.
Visit now – Portfolios.health.usf.edu

Story by Sarah Worth, photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications

With a concerted pull of the drape hiding the sign, the formal name of the USF Health student services center was unveiled: The WELL.

Several hundred staff, faculty and students from throughout USF Health gathered Jan. 16 to learn the Center’s new name and to help officially open what is now the entry point for every new USF Health student, the hub for services critical to student success, a central place for forming new and lasting collaborative inter-professional and team-focused relationships, and a place to relax between all of those endeavors.

Headlining the day was Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services, who shared with everyone the journey that was taken to make this student-centered facility a reality and then thanked and recognized the many people who carried it through.

“We asked these dedicated professionals and teams to think outside the box and to dream big and not be encumbered by history, precedent, personality and old ways of doing,” Ford said.

“We encouraged them to shape the future of student services at Health. We celebrate today because of your tireless energy, passion for this program, and creative vision for what an old, very dated medical clinic could become. We are giving birth today and it was worth every labor pain we experienced together during delivery. Just look at this beautiful baby. We turned an ugly duckling into a swan. It is simply amazing.”

Joining in the celebration were deans, administrators and students from all four USF Health colleges, schools and programs, members of the USF Board of Trustees, and Provosts, as well as administrators of support services from across USF.

“This collaborative space is truly a labor of love,” said Donna J. Petersen, ScD, MHS, CPH, interim senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the USF College of Public Health. “While there were some challenges, the focus was always on the students. It is at the hub of USF Health, at the heart of Health. Every student will begin their education journey here and become part of USF Health and our community.”

“We started with our students to create an environment that not only meets their needs but is also a place for them to come together.” — Dr. Donna Petersen

One by one, student leaders from every facet of USF Health shared what such a student-centric center would mean for the entire USF Health community – Kristin Steffen from the College of Public Health, Kumar Jairamdas from the College of Nursing, Kelley Kinsella from the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Matthew Schneller from the College of Pharmacy, Lauren Terpak from the Morsani College of Medicine, and Keirsten Reilly from the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Then, with a snip of large gold scissors, a green ribbon was cut, signifying a new era for USF Health students. 

The WELL – standing for Wellness, Engagement, Leadership and Learning – was named following a contest that drew more than 200 entries and reflects the mission of USF Health, as well as serves as a metaphor: a central resource where a community can gather. The WELL is the creation of Lynne Arric, EdD, director of Student Services for the USF Health College of Pharmacy.

Designed with input from students, faculty and staff as a way to enhance services the USF Health colleges and schools currently do for students, The WELL integrate support for USF Health students in one place. The colleges occupy the main sections of the Center but are connected in a cohesive way, providing a sense of unity in the shared space.

In addition to student affairs, financial aid, and registrar services, the Center also includes computer support, USF Health Service Corps, and multiple spaces for students to meet and study, from open lounges and a computer bar to enclosed conference rooms and quiet study spaces. More than 50 staff members fill offices in this first phase of the project.

The space not only serves as a central place for students, but also brings staff together to share ideas, collaborate and work in teams.

USF Health is the Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the Doctors of USF Health. In total, USF Health enrolls more than 5,400 students, nearly 12 percent of the USF System student body.

USF Health students from left are Keirsten Reilly from the School of Biomedical Sciences, Kelley Kinsella from the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Kumar Jairamdas from the College of Nursing, Lauren Terpak from the Morsani College of Medicine, Matthew Schneller from the College of Pharmacy, Kristin Steffen from the College of Public Health, with USF Health Senior Vice President Dr. Donna Petersen.

The official cut was made, from left: Keirsten Reilly, Dr. William Quillen, Kelley Kinsella, Dr. Harry van Loveren, Kumar Jairamdas, Dr. Michael Barber, Lauren Terpak, Dr. Kevin Sneed, Matthew Schneller, Kristin Steffen, Dr. Donna Petersen, and Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy.

Story by Sarah Worth, photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications.

There was plenty of activity at the new USF Health Student Services Center as workers installed furniture in the new collaborative space, one of the final steps before support staff from all four USF Health colleges moved in Jan. 2.

Designed with input from students, faculty and staff as a way to enhance services the USF Health colleges and schools currently provide students, the project is right on schedule for its grand opening , said Joe Ford, assistant vice president for USF Health Shared Student Services.

The official unveiling of the Center, as well as the announcement the Center’s new name, which was chosen among submissions provided by students and staff, is set for noon on  Thursday, Jan. 16.

“Our first step was to truly integrate support for USF Health students from the four colleges and the physical therapy and biomedical sciences schools in one place and this new Center meets that goal and more,” Ford said.

The initial phase included a complete renovation of the front half of what was the USF Medical Clinic. The colleges occupy the main sections of the Center but are connected in a cohesive way, providing a sense of unity in the shared space.

“We wanted the groups to come together in this shared space primarily as a central place for students, but also to bring staff together to share ideas for doing much of the same types of services, and to forge new ways of working in teams,” Ford said. “We want it to be student service centered, while facilitating talking with each other to improve those services.”

In addition to student affairs, financial aid, and registrar services, the Center also includes computer support, USF Health Service Corps, and multiple spaces for students to meet and study, from open lounges and a computer bar to enclosed conference rooms and quiet study spaces. Students from throughout USF Health – including the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and the Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences – are welcome to make use of the Center.

More than 50 staff members have filled offices in this first phase of the project. Additional phases will come later, Ford said, including proposed plans for a wellness center with a fitness center, a dining facility, and additional meeting space.

Story by Sarah A. Worth, photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications 

A career in law enforcement and a cherished hobby of showing horses were heading toward dead ends for Janise Man-Son-Hing.

Since November 2011, ever-increasing back pain was preventing even the slightest movement from being pain free. Treatment tangents that included intradiscal shots and surgery – even a mention of pain management – left her hopeful, then discouraged.

As a Master Patrol Officer in the Tampa Police Department, she was trained to be on a beat out in the public, patrolling and ready to act in a second. Man-Son-Hing had just qualified in September 2011 to be on the promotional list, but instead was on light duty at a desk fielding calls.

And horse shows came and went, leaving her on the sidelines to watch her supportive husband show her Friesian horse named Rommy.

Life was taking a completely different route than the path Man-Son-Hing had so carefully planned.

Then, in February 2012, a suggestion by Dr. Lisa Misiewicz, a physical therapist she knew well at the horse stables, changed everything, setting her on a course that would free her from back pain and recover her active life, both on the job and off. The suggestion was, “Physical therapy will work for you. You should go see the folks in the USF Health Physical Therapy Center. They have the best doctors there.”

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USF Physical Therapist Kevin Murdoch, DPT, OCS, believes strongly in evidence-based care and his first meeting with Janise Man-Son-Hing meant telling her there would be no short cuts or long shots. He told her, “I believe we can get you better with treatment, but you have to trust me that it will take some time.”

In evidence-based care, treatment decisions are based on quantitative research studies, using only treatments that have been proven to be effective.

“Back pain is common and we see patients with back pain at the USF Health Physical Therapy Center on a daily basis,” said Dr. Murdoch, who is assistant clinical professor in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and coordinator of the USF Health Physical Therapy Center.

“And while there is a wide variety of treatments for it, there is limited research showing those treatments work. Taking an evidence-based approach means we use what we know came from the (physical therapy) field and works, some of which comes from own folks.”

Dr. Murdoch is referring to the groundbreaking work in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences that includes a study funded by the U.S. Department of Defense for leading-edge musculoskeletal research intended to benefit active duty soldiers and veterans and improve military preparedness, and a study funded by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to test the effectiveness of back-specific exercises in preventing low back injury and pain among firefighters.

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So, in March 2012, Man-Son-Hing started physical therapy with Dr. Murdoch.

“There was nothing unique in her physical therapy plan, but it was customized to her and took her through a process for building strength one step at a time,” Dr. Murdoch said.

Exercises emphasized manual therapy that included joint mobilization and strengthening activities for her core, legs, hips and upper back, and mild range of motion exercises for her hips and segments of her spine.

Man-Son-Hing works out in her USF Bulls shoes. She is not only a big fan, she is also an alum.

“During the next three months, I was dedicated to every appointment,” Man-Son-Hing said. “I also did all my exercises as prescribed at home. The pain continued but I did not give up.”

And then it happened.

“I was getting better and the intense pain was leaving my body,” she said.

At that point, Dr. Murdoch and Man-Son-Hing set a series of targeted activities, goals she could aim for.

“We made a target date for me to go back to full duty on patrol, June 1st, 2012,” she said. “It happened. I went back to full duty. Then we set a goal for working at the Republican National Convention, which meant mostly 12-hour days for 12 straight days of patrol duty. We worked hard at PT and I completed this challenge with no issues.

“My next challenges were in October 2012, when I returned to very basic training on my horse, and November 2012, when I had to pass the law enforcement physical assessment test, which had to be completed for me to keep my job. It happened, I passed and did well.”

A specialized saddle helps Man-Son-Hing stay in good form to protect her back while riding.

For most of 2013, Man-Son-Hing has kept her physical therapy appointments, continuing to build strength and improve endurance at work and on her horse and pass the physical assessment test again in June 2013.

The effort worked. Not only was Man-Son-Hing back on full duty, on Aug. 30, 2013, she received a promotion to Corporal Man-Son-Hing. And in early November 2013, she had her comeback debut and competed in a local horse competition, Harvest Days Horse Show, and won Reserve Champion with her Friesian horse, Rommy.

Man-Son-Hing was promoted to Corporal in the Tampa Police Department. Photo courtesy of Janise Man-Son-Hing.

Man-Son-Hing won Reserve Champion with Rommy at Harvest Days Horse Show. Photo courtesy of Janise Man-Son-Hing.

Summing it up, Man-Son-Hing said, “My life as I knew it was gone until I was referred to the experts at the USF Health Physical therapy Center.”

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Janise Man-Son-Hing was invited to share her story at the 15th anniversary celebration for the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. In telling her story, several times she referred to feeling better as “getting my life back.”

“I just want to thank you for all the professional physical therapy I have received to continue to let me get my life back and move forward beyond my dreams,” she said at the event.

“I am indebted to Dr. Murdoch, and the USF PT staff and center for their expertise and continued dedication to patient needs and research in the field of Physical Therapy. Without this, I would have not been able to gain the level of physical fitness necessary to regain my life.

“It’s amazing what they do there. Thank you for my life back!”

Photos taken at Avalon Stables, a full service training, boarding and riding facility that specializes in show ring Saddleseat Equitation.

Story by Sarah Worth, photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications