Quicklinks
School of Health Professions
Results: 165 news stories
OT student receives leadership award at annual state OT conference
By Kate Hunger
Third-year occupational therapy doctoral student Jennifer Sanchez received the 2021 Student Leadership Award at the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) annual conference, held Nov. 5-6.
Two ways to help others this holiday season
Looking for a way to make life a little brighter for others this holiday season? Here are two opportunities to do just that:
Nursing Home Clothing Drive: Drop off new sweatshirts, sweatpants, and non-slip socks to the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Special Programs, DTL 2.207R, through Dec. 10. To donate to the SHP Clothing Drive, please click here.
Allied Health Week open house introduces high school students to health professions
In an effort to increase awareness about health professions careers among high school students, the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions hosted a virtual open house to celebrate Allied Health Week 2021.
The Office of Recruitment and Science Outreach helped organize and promote the open house, held via Zoom on Nov. 5. About 160 high school students from around the San Antonio area attended the event, said School of Health Professions Director of Admissions and Special Programs Melina Dauto Benavidez.
OT collaboration with local high school results in custom rides for children with mobility challenges
On a recent afternoon, 2-year-old Daniella patiently waited for adjustments to be made to her harness and other elements of her brand-new ride-on toy car. When all was ready, the cluster of students and adults who had been waiting for this moment encouraged her to press the red saucer-sized button on top of the car’s steering wheel. The car whizzed forward, and Daniella smiled.
SHP faculty present at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
Faculty from across the School of Health Professions participated in the 2021 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) conference held virtually Sept. 24–29.
“ACRM is the premier interdisciplinary rehabilitation organization that brings together national and international clinicians, researchers, administrators and policy makers,” said Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Occupational Therapy Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA. “ACRM facilitates networking opportunities, scholarly discourse and collaboration to guide the rehabilitation field.”
Interprofessional wellness activity promotes hydration, nutrition and mindfulness
An interprofessional cooking and wellness program offered by the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and the San Antonio Food Bank inspired Lora George, a physician assistant studies student, to whip up a refreshing change to her daily hydration routine.
PT student excels in second act, earns scholarship
Kevin Hamilton was just 4 years old when he started taking dance classes in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. He accepted his first professional job with the Milwaukee Ballet after high school graduation and went on to dance with the Cincinnati Ballet and the Dayton Ballet. But along the way, injuries prompted him to consider making a career switch that allowed him to focus on movement from an entirely different perspective: physical therapy.
New Bachelor of Science in medical sciences to prepare students for health professions graduate programs
The School of Health Professions has opened applications for its new Bachelor of Science in medical sciences degree, with the first cohort to begin in Fall 2022.
Respiratory care professor publishes children’s book
Assistant Professor Tabatha Dragonberry has published a book for children of mothers who are respiratory therapists.
“I did this because there was nothing of its kind,” said Dr. Dragonberry, DHSc, MBA, MEd, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, CPFT, C-NPT.
The self-published book features main character Regina Rabbit, a registered respiratory therapist who is also a mom, and aims to demystify the profession by taking the reader through a day in the life of a respiratory therapist.
New PT faculty member discovered the profession while in the military
Associate Professor Bradley Tragord, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT, was five years into his military career when he decided to become a physical therapist.
“I had more of an inclination to interact with patients, and when I learned I could still stay in the Army and do that, it was a slam dunk,” said Dr. Tragord, who recently joined the faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy after retiring from the Army with more than 22 years of active-duty service.
Building community: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders hosts adult education program
High school math teacher Simone Bailey has primary progressive aphasia, a disorder that affects speaking and understanding language, as well as reading and writing.
This summer, Bailey attended an adult education program for improving communication skills that the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders hosted on campus. The program was designed for people whose ability to communicate has been affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions, including primary progressive aphasia.
Committed to the profession, OT students win Ellsworth scholarships
A passion for helping people participate more fully in their daily activities drew third-year occupational therapy (OT) students Nestor Gonzalez and Erin Hobbs to the profession.
The daughter of two nurses, Hobbs discovered OT halfway through her undergraduate study as she sought a health care profession that matched her values.
“It’s a profession that really cares about health and quality of life for our clients and patients,” Hobbs said.
Emergency Health Sciences faculty participate in summer EMS conferences
Faculty from the Department of Emergency Health Sciences participated in several leading EMS conferences this summer.
Professional milestone: PA students receive white coats and pins
Students in the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2023 received their white coats and pins in an annual ceremony signifying their entrance into the profession and the responsibility that comes with it.
How PAs discover — and choose— their profession
Physician assistants often do not learn about their future profession until they are already in college — or even afterwards, according to a pilot study led by Steven “Tony” Skaggs, PA-C, assistant professor and associate chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
Communication Sciences and Disorders professor named journal junior editor
Assistant Professor Rocío Norman, PhD, CCC-SLP of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has recently been selected as a junior editor for the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.
Although Dr. Norman has served as a reviewer for several peer-reviewed medical journals, this is her first role as an editor. Her experience as both a clinician and a researcher have prepared her well for the opportunity, she said.
Students conduct pediatric speech, language, hearing and literacy screenings
Students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders have been performing pediatric speech, language, hearing and literacy screenings this summer.
Perfect score: Speech-language pathology graduate aces national exam
Mitzi Hardeman had been working in customer service for a decade when she decided she wanted a different career.
“I wanted to help people in a more meaningful way and to do something in the sciences,” Hardeman said.
A passion for the laboratory and leadership
Nemo Muñoz loves the opportunity microbiology provides to step into the role of detective.
“To me, it’s like solving a mystery: You start with a plate reading, and from there you can go as far as figuring out the species and genus of what the bug is,” Muñoz said.
OT pilot program helps adolescents and young adults with disabilities develop independent living skills
A new pilot project developed by a recent graduate of the occupational therapy program helps adolescents and young adults with disabilities develop independent life skills such as making meals and doing laundry.
Subscribe to receive a monthly email newsletter with information on academic programs, events and campus news from the School of Health Professions.
First Name
Last Name
Email
