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School of Health Professions
Results: 165 news stories
School hosts first-ever career fair for health professions students
The School of Health Professions held its first-ever career fair on April 27, bringing dozens of employers to campus to meet with students.
The school’s graduates are sought after by employers, said Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, FASAHP.
“The School of Health Professions educates a student population which is in high demand from local hospital and clinical settings,” Henzi said. “It was great to have many of those partners in attendance for the first School of Health Professions career fair.”
Health professions students inducted into Alpha Eta Society
For Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Elise Gray, being inducted into the Alpha Eta Society with 37 other students represents the value of teamwork among the health professions.
“The induction ceremony signifies not just our individual accomplishments but also our commitment to the interdisciplinary teamwork that is at the heart of optimal patient care,” Gray said.
Students travel to Colombia and India over spring break
School of Health Professions students traveled overseas during spring break to learn about health professions education and professional practice in Colombia and India.
Three students from UT Health San Antonio, including two from the School of Health Professions and one from the School of Nursing, traveled to Bogota, Colombia, in March. They were accompanied by Division of Respiratory Care Professor Ruben Restrepo, MD, RRT, FAARC, FCCP, and Department of Physician Assistant Studies Assistant Professor and Associate Clinical Coordinator Leticia Bland, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C.
Student wins American Occupational Therapy Foundation scholarship
Second-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Kathryn Hiles has won the Charles Christiansen and Beth Jones Endowed Scholarship from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation.
“These are extremely competitive awards, and it is truly testament to Kathryn's impactful leadership and contributions to the program, university and community to be selected as a 2023 recipient,” said Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR. The scholarship award is just over $1,400.
SHP President’s Council gains tools for a lifetime of leadership
First-year students on the School of Health Professions Presidents Council attended a new program designed to help them develop leadership and communication skills that will apply during their time at UT Health San Antonio and beyond.
Free community health fair to offer screening, testing and healthy living information
All members of the community are invited to a health fair that will be hosted on April 1 by UT Health San Antonio’s School of Health Professions.
The health fair will provide an opportunity for people to undergo a variety of screening tests and receive important health information, said event organizer Terri Murphy-Sanchez, MS, MLS: CSMLS, ASCPCM, assistant professor and program director in the Division of Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Occupational therapy professor joins Leadership Women Texas
Department of Occupational Therapy Professor and Chair Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is a member of the Leadership Women Texas 2023 cohort.
The leadership program includes women leaders across a variety of industries and aligns with her professional and personal priorities, Piernik-Yoder said.
Two pilot studies will gauge impact of interventions on neuroplasticity and hip-fracture surgery outcomes in older adults
UT Health San Antonio researchers will be launching two pilot studies to learn whether specific interventions help older adults build stronger neural pathways and recover better from hip fracture surgery.
The two separate pilot studies each received a $50,000 grant from the San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.
Does blood-flow restriction exercise boost neuroplasticity?
Meet OT department’s two newest faculty members
The Department of Occupational Therapy recently welcomed two new faculty members.
Associate Professor Chinyu Wu, PhD, OTR, and Assistant Professor Angela Benfield, PhD, OTR, joined the department in August. Each brings research interests that will add to the department, said Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgette Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA.
UT Health San Antonio, associate dean receive awards at ASAHP conference
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, was inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) at its annual conference in October.
OT scholarship recipients find purpose in profession
Third-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy students Jackie Johnson and Ayla Akers have received the 2022 Paul D. Ellsworth Endowed Scholarship in Occupational Therapy. The scholarship honors Army Lt. Col. Paul D. Ellsworth, who retired from the occupational therapy faculty in 1998 and passed away in 2016.
OT professor’s research informs back-to-school mindfulness and stress relief tips shared by OTD students at community event
By Kate Hunger
For Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Elise Gray, volunteering at a back to school event this summer was more than a way to educate families on the proper way to pack and carry a backpack. Gray and fellow OTD students also shared activities and information to help school children manage stress and anxiety as they head back to class.
Occupational therapy professor Kimatha Grice to retire
Associate Professor Kimatha Grice, OTD, OTR, CHT, found her future profession in the library stacks at Texas A&M University.
“I was researching schools for physical therapy, and I came across occupational therapy,” she said. “I started reading up on it, and I thought, ‘That sounds really interesting — it sounds more like me.’ That’s how I ended up in OT school, and I never looked back.”
ICU simulation prepares PT, OT and nursing students for work as an interprofessional team
An interprofessional intensive care unit simulation activity this spring was timed just right for the 118 physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing students who participated.
Held in April before doctoral PT and OT students began clinical rotations and the 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students graduated, the activity gave students the opportunity to learn firsthand about the roles of other health professions in the ICU — and to practice their own skills.
Embracing an interprofessional approach
OT professor elected to RESNA board, co-presents workshop at European Seating Symposium
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Ana Allegretti, PhD, OTR, ATP, has been elected to the board of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).
Dr. Allegretti, a long-time member of RESNA and is as an associate editor for its journal. Born and raised in Brazil, she said she will bring an international perspective to the board during her three-year term, which begins in August. One of her goals as a board member will be to increase access to the organization’s resources by clinicians around the world.
UT Health San Antonio holds second rehabilitation research day
Third-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy students Tina Bittle, Paige Beeney and Cristina Martinez developed their interest in research while working on a project with a local high school to provide modified ride-on toy cars to young children with physical disabilities.
The three presented “Partnering with community organizations to address early mobility,” one of 39 research posters at UT Health San Antonio’s second annual Rehabilitation Research Day, held May 13 on campus.
SHP students inducted into allied health professions honor society
Fifty School of Health Professions students were inducted May 5 into the campus chapter of the Alpha Eta Society, the national honor society of the allied health professions.
The induction ceremony was held virtually, said chapter president and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Martha M. Acosta, PhD, PT, GCS.
National occupational therapy conference held in San Antonio
The American Occupational Therapy Association held its annual conference in San Antonio March 31–April 3, the first time the annual gathering has included an in-person option in three years.
Faculty are engaged as national OT conference comes to San Antonio this spring
When the American Occupational Therapy Association holds its annual conference in San Antonio this spring, members of the Department of Occupational Therapy faculty will be involved in numerous ways — from presenting short courses to supporting the event.
OT professor shares study findings for helping children reduce stress at school
Something as simple as focusing on glitter falling gently in a sensory bottle can soothe children who experience anxiety and stress, said Mei-Ling Lin, OTR, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy.
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