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School of Health Professions

Results: 159 news stories

Occupational Therapy Associate Professor Ricky Joseph retires

Recently retired Associate Professor Ricky Joseph, PhD, OTR, had worked in the occupational therapy profession for almost 47 years when he retired May 31.

When he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy in 2013, Joseph brought more than two decades of experience working as an occupational therapist in the U.S. Army.

Associate Professor Ricky Joseph, Department of Occupational Therapy, recently retired

Photo exhibit shares employment participation perspectives of people with mental illness

“I spent valuable time on my journey, mental health challenges, and life. I didn’t even recognize myself in the mirror. I lost (so much) time that I couldn’t look in the mirror.” – Reflections of a study participant

A bus stop, a clock, the view from a bedroom floor: These images and many more are represented in a collection of photos on display at Briscoe Library through July 31.

Photo exhibit on mental health challenges and employment

“We all have the same simple, yet honorable reason for being here — to help people”

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Class of 2025 celebrated its accomplishments in scholarship, leadership, service and research during its white coat and recognition ceremony on May 3 in Holly Auditorium.

The students received their white coats and pins at the end of their second year in the program and ahead of their final year, which includes a capstone experience. 

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Class of 2025 poses after receiving white coats on May 3.

American Occupational Therapy Association president visits campus during OT Month

 

An annual intraprofessional collaboration activity between Doctor of Occupational Therapy students at UT Health San Antonio and students in the occupational therapy assistant program at St. Philip’s College is the first of its kind in the US, American Occupational Therapy Association President Alyson Stover noted during her visit to the Department of Occupational Therapy in April.

AOTA President Alyson Stover speaks to OT and OTA students on April 15 on campus.

Associate Dean for Research receives RO1 funding to study the influence of social determinants of health in rehabilitation outcomes pre- and post-COVID-19

School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Research Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, a professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, has secured more than $1.5 million in RO1 grant funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to support his research on the effect of social determinants of health on rehabilitation outcomes befo

Associate Dean and Professor Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Shoe drive benefits Alpha Home residents

 

After volunteering at a recent pro bono clinic, physical therapy students recognized a need for shoes among those served by Alpha Home, a local nonprofit that supports residential addiction recovery treatment for women.

A good pair of shoes makes all the difference in rehabilitating a lower-extremity injury, said Julie Barnett, PT, DPT, MTC, an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions. 

PT students pose with shoes donated to Alpha Home.

Faculty members present at UT Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference

 

Three School of Health Professions faculty members shared research presentations at The University of Texas System Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education 2024 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference held in Austin on Feb. 22–23.

Assistant Professor Angela Benfield discusses her poster at The University of Texas System Kenneth I. Shine Academy 2024 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference

A look at Department of Occupational Therapy faculty activities in 2023

Department of Occupational Therapy 2023 Faculty Highlights 


Let the games return: Students from across the school hold Allied Health Games for first time since pandemic

 

School of Health Professions students kicked off National Allied Health Week by reviving the Allied Health Games, a fun tradition that had been on hiatus for several years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Nov. 4, students from across the school participated in the games, including a sand volleyball tournament, tug of war, wheelbarrow racing and a team relay race. Teams were awarded points for having the best team spirit, being the best dressed teams and winning events. 

Students pose with Allied Health Games trophy

School of Health Professions faculty and students receive awards, present at annual state conference

 

School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society for the Advancement of Health Professions at its 45th annual conference in September.

Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program fellow joins Department of Occupational Therapy faculty

 

Michael Bermudez, EdD, OTR, sees occupational therapy as a means for social justice for people with disabilities. His tools? Circuit boards, code and 3D printers, to name a few.

This July, Bermudez brought his research interest in assistive technology to The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy as an assistant professor. 

Assistant Professor Michael Bermudez, EdD

SHP programs provide screenings and health and wellness info at Spurs Back to School Bash

 

Students and faculty from five programs in the School of Health Professions participated in the Spurs Give Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.

Several thousand children and adults attended the free community event, which included backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, eye exams, dental screenings, and a variety of other activities and services from community organizations and vendors participating in the event.

School of Health Profession students perform health screenings at back to school event

OT professor serves on board of Project MEND

 

Associate Professor Ana Allegretti, PhD, OTR, ATP, was elected in May to serve on the board of directors of Project MEND, a nonprofit that provides refurbished medical equipment to people in San Antonio and Texas.

Associate professor Ana Allegretti serves on the board of Project MEND

OT chair is president-elect of Shine Academy

 

Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, has been elected president-elect of The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education.

Piernik-Yoder, who served as chair of the academy’s education committee for the past two years, will begin her two-year term in March 2024.

Occupational Therapy Professor and Chair Bridgett Piernik-Yoder

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.”

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.

Two Alpha Eta student inductees hold their certificates.

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.

Students and faculty pose in Bogota, Colombia during spring break trip.

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.

Occupational Therapy student Kathryn Hiles

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.

School of Health Professions Presidents Council first-year students pose with certificates from a leadership program.

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.

Stock image of child at health clinic with parents

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