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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.
OT student receives leadership award at annual state OT conference
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.
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