School of Health Professions
We inspire and empower people to create healthier communities.

The Department of Physical Therapy is pleased to announce its accreditation!
Following the site visit in the spring of 2011, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) awarded the PT Department a 10-year reaccreditation status. CAPTE is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

In late September, the Texas Society of Allied Health Professions (TSAHP) Annual Conference was held in Dallas, TX. The SHP was well-represented at the conference! Martha Acosta (Physical Therapy) and Helen Sorenson (Respiratory Care) presented a session entitled, Determining Student Knowledge about Aging. Bridgett Piernik-Yoder (Occupational Therapy) was installed as the TSAHP President and will serve in this role for the coming year. Three out of the four TSAHP Student Awards presented this year went to UTHSCSA SHP students: Alexandria Escobedo (RC), Benjamin White (PT), and Anna Phelix (OT).

A free Health Screening Fair for senior citizens was conducted at the Bob Ross Senior Center on September 28 by School of Health Professions Physical Therapy faculty members Tara Pearce and Myles Quiben and second year Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Screenings offered involved balance, walking, functional activities and home safety.

On October 6, nine faculty and staff and 20 students representing four SHP departments and the Dean’s Office participated in the UT System Health Fair in Austin. Clinical Lab Sciences conducted glucose and cholesterol screening, Physician Assistant Studies checked blood pressure and screened for skin cancer, Physical Therapy conducted balance screening and ergonomic work station evaluation, and Respiratory Care screened for COPD. Over 150 System employees attended and took advantage of the free screenings.

Linda Smith (Chair, Clinical Laboratory Sciences) hosted a welcome reception at her home for visiting students Herbert Striem and Tamara Kazimova (from Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden), clinical lab science students, and other School of Health Professionals faculty and staff. The students from Sweden are here for two months and will be participating in clinical lab rotations and the STEER program. Two CLS students from the SHP are studying in Sweden this fall as a part of the exchange program between Karolinska Institute and the School of Health Professions.

On October 8, Kim Vogel (Occupational Therapy) and volunteers from the Student Occupational Therapy Association held a fun-filled activity for children at the Roy Maas Meadowlands campus, a residential facility for children who are abused and neglected. SOTA helped the children draw pictures reflecting various themes, such as “things that make me happy,” and special holidays. The children signed their first name and age on the pictures they drew. The pictures will go to a printer who will scan them to make them into cards and feature the Roy Maas logo on the back.

Gino Garza (Dental Hygiene) has been appointed to the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Professional Education Council by the Texas Dental Hygiene Association Board of Directors.

Several of our Respiratory Care students and Interim Chair DeDe Gardner participated in the North East ISD’s 4th Annual Health and Wellness Education Fair on October 15. They provided free pulmonary function testing and approximately 60 people participate in the DRIVE4COPD by completing DRIVE4COPD surveys. They also provided information on tobacco cessation and sleep apnea. Respiratory Care students also participated in the CPS Fest at Olmos Park on October 15. They partnered with the American Lung Association and distributed information about asthma triggers, healthy lung education, and smoking cessation classes.

DeDe Gardner, Interim Chair of the Respiratory Care Department was recently nominated by Dr. Stephanie Lewis, President of the Board of Trustees of the CHEST Foundation, to serve as a Foundation Trustee. DeDe’s dedication and service to the American College of Chest Physician’s has been recognized and we congratulate her on this achievement!

Congratulations go to Ruben Restrepo (Respiratory Care). He was notified last week that his book, Diseases Affecting the Respiratory System: A Case-Based Approach, will be published in the spring by FA Davis Company.

Laredo's South Texas Outreach Foundation announced a new award to the School of Health Professions aimed at supporting student-centered programs and initiatives at the university’s regional campus in Laredo. The $75,000 award continues scholarships and programs initiated by the foundation in 2009.

National Allied Health Week, November 6-14, was a busy week for faculty, staff, and students in the School of Health Professions. Over 250 people enjoyed free breakfast tacos on Monday and the Physical Therapy Department won the door decorating contest on Thursday. On Saturday, over 1600 high school students attended the Science Expo and the School of Health Professions was well represented.

Congratulations go to the Occupational Therapy Department Chair Karin Barnes and Development Officer Gloria Canseco. Working together, Karin and Gloria received a $5,000 grant from the Wenger Foundation to support the OT Continuing Ed program.

OCTOBER IS PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH! The Physical Therapy Department Offers Free Screenings for Seniors

Congratulations to EHS faculty member Dr. David Wampler. He was awarded "Partner for Life" by San Antonio AirLIFE at their Leaders in Emergency Health Care dinner. This is wonderful recognition of one of our outstanding faculty in the School of Health Professions!

Linda A. Smith, Ph.D., M.L.S., chair of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, was elected to the position of president-elect of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) at the organization’s annual meeting in July. She will assume the office of president in summer 2012. Dr. Smith has been active in the organization for more than 25 years, most recently serving on the board of directors and as a member of the executive committee. [Read more]

MIRA STUDENTS RECEIVING THEIR OSCARS About 70 family members, friends, community partners and UT Health Science Center faculty members cheered as nine college students from the Laredo area received “Oscars” Aug. 20 at a red-carpet premiere showcasing videos they created as a class project for Make It Real Academy (MIRA). The premiere was the closing ceremony for the eight-day UT Health Science Center San Antonio program conducted at the Regional Campus in Laredo to give students a close-up look at careers in the health professions. [Read more]

Caroline Hamilton (pictured), RDH alumni from the Dental Hygiene Department in the School of Health Professions, has been named to an advisory panel for the 3M Corporation, Dental Division. Ms. Hamilton was selected from many hygienists across the nation to fill this panel of 15. We are very proud of her contributions to dental hygiene and look forward to wonderful new products from the 3M Corporation. Caroline was recently admitted to our Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program.

The student chapter of the American Dental Hygienists Association (pictured) participated in a community service event that benefited Habitat for Humanity on August 20, 2011. The event entailed providing lunch for the Habitat for Humanity builders and building volunteers. A nutritious meal that consisted of a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, chips, sliced fruit, and plenty of drinks was provided. James Babaoye, Jenna Cape, and Cassie Quesada made the turkey sandwiches, while Parisah Troy enlisted the help of her husband, Patrick, to slice fruit for the fruit salad. Lunch was served at the Habitat for Humanity Coleman Ridge building site by students James Babaoye, Diana Barberena, Jenna Cape, Annie Gott, Amanda Grace, Neha Jonwal, Jen & Jose Rodriguez, Parisah & Patrick Troy, and Professor Melanie Taverna. James, Jen, & Jenna spearheaded recycling and collecting bottle caps for another cause that the Dental Hygiene students are currently supporting. After serving lunch, the group helped dismantle the lunch area by breaking down the tables and chairs and placing them into storage. It was a fast-paced and fulfilling 2.5 hours serving those helping others.

Congratulations to the final group of Senderos 2011 Summer Interns (pictured). They are seniors at South San Antonio High School and they interned at Southwest General Hospital during the last two weeks in the area of Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy and Diagnostic Imaging. A total of 30 students, ranging from high school freshmen to seniors at South San Antonio High School and Health Careers High School have interned this summer at University Hospital, Brady Green Downtown Clinic and Southwest General Hospital. Students received stipends between $200 and $800 for completing their hours. They were required to submit an essay after their internship as well. The internships are sponsored by the Senderos: Pathways to the Health Professions grant.