July 19th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
Editor’s note:
We are posting Dr. Cheryl Resnik’s speech from the 2010 White Coat Ceremony in eager anticipation of the coming academic year. Dr. Resnik was serving as President of the California Physical Therapy Association at the time of her speech. In her keynote address, she put forth a challenge for the student physical therapists and practicing clinicians to observe 7 values in their daily dealings with the community and each other.
In this the 2011 White Coat Ceremony, we are excited to welcome the Class of 2013 into the profession as Student Physical Therapists! The 2011 White Coat Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Friday 9/9/11 at 6:30pm. All current students, alumni, honored guests and friends of the Department, and their families please be on the lookout for an event invitation soon!
Contract for Care
I’d like to share a short history of the white coat ceremony. It was created 16 years ago by the Arnold P Gold Foundation that is dedicated to fostering humanism in medicine. Presently over 90% of US medical schools hold white coat ceremonies. Schools of pharmacy and dentistry have initiated their own ceremonies as have schools of physical therapy. You are all participating in the University of the Pacific’s first White Coat Ceremony.
The initial purpose of a white coat was to protect the patient and the physician from cross-contamination. The coat went on to become a symbol of the authority of science and the art of healing. There are multiple meanings for the white coat in the context of this ceremony.
By establishing this ritual at the beginning of your physical therapy education, we hope you will become aware of your responsibilities from the first day of training. The ceremony is intended to impress upon you the primacy of the therapist-patient relationship. You are encouraged to enter into a psychological contract in which you accept the obligations inherent in the practice of physical therapy: to be excellent in science, to be compassionate, and to lead lives of “dignity and honor.” It is designed to clarify for you that a physical therapist’s responsibility is to take care of patients and also to care for patients.
Those who will cloak you with the white coat are giving you a gift of faith and confidence; faith in your abilities and confidence that you will represent the values of your new profession.
I would like to address these values with you this evening. The core values of the physical therapy profession contain the key values you are being asked to adopt today as you take the pledge of commitment. I believe these values constitute a contract for care with each person for whom you take professional responsibility.
The following seven values, kept in the front of your mind during all your patient interactions, will facilitate your providing the best possible care.
First is accountability – active acceptance of your responsibility for your actions and behavior. It does not matter if the most notable physician in the world refers the patient to you. You will be asked to make and defend your decisions about all aspects of the care you provide.
Second is your professional duty to provide effective care. New therapies are introduced into healthcare on a daily basis. You will need to insure that the care you provide is effective and not just the latest fad. You may need to explain this to your patients, remembering that they may be desperate when they come to you.
Third is integrity – your steadfast adherence to high ethical principles and professional standards, truthfulness and fairness. I believe that the state law that governs your license to practice is the minimum acceptable standard. The code of ethics is the highest standard. Make that the bar you strive to reach.
Fourth is to be compassionate and caring – demonstrating respect for all those who will place their trust in you. It is sometimes difficult when you have your own problems, to be as caring as you should to those who try your patience. Remember that you may be the only one your patient feels secure in revealing their fears to. You will need to learn to put your own problems out of your mind so that you can provide the compassion your patients deserve.
Fifth is excellence. Your education will provide you with the best scientific evidence for the care you will provide. You are duty bound to make learning a life long priority. It is much easier to possess cutting edge information while you are a student than it will be when you are out in practice. Develop the habit of inquiry now and it will serve you well throughout your career.
Sixth is altruism – placing the interests and needs of your patients ahead of your own self interest. This does not mean working for free. It does sometimes mean coming in early or working late to accommodate other’s needs rather than your own preferences. I would like to encourage you, however, to donate your professional services to the many people who are not well served by our health care system.
Last is social responsibility. The US healthcare system is in crisis. Over six million Californians are uninsured. You need to be part of the solution that makes affordable, quality health care available to all. Get involved in your professional association while you are in school. Maintain your membership after you graduate so that you can add your voice to your profession’s and advocate for those who do not have a voice.
These are lofty goals. They are not unachievable. On this day, the day you are welcomed into your profession, set your goal to be the best clinician you can be. Make each contract for care one that will be valued by both yourself and your patients. Live up to the faith and confidence your new professional colleagues have in you. I hope that each day will be as rewarding to you as my 30+ years as a physical therapist have been for me. Congratulations and welcome to the profession.
June 24th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
By Cathy Peterson, Ed.D., P.T.
Hello from Amsterdam and the 16th International WCPT Congress! This has been one of the best conferences I have attended in my professional career. The international networking opportunities, as well as collaborating with other US clinicians and educators has been wonderful. The best sessions I have attended (it’s hard to select just a few) have been the daylong “Second Physical Therapy Summit on Global Health: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles to Reduce Disease Burden,” “International Clinical Education: Bridging Global Communities While Developing Professional Competency,” and “Re-building for Good: How Physical Therapy Projects can Bring Long-term sustainable benefits in conflict zones and disaster areas.” I look forward to returning to campus and sharing with my colleagues ideas for enhancing our already robust international clinical education program as well as some creative ways for bringing international faculty experts to Pacific and sending some of our expert faculty abroad. Of course, education is what interests me, but there were numerous sessions over the 4 days on women’s health, critical care, pediatrics, HIV, modalities, prosthetics/orthotics, primary care, and the practice areas within musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy.
Best Dutch food: Hotchpotch at Moeder’s!
Interesting about Amsterdam: the massive number of cyclists going to work, school, store, etc.—and the separate pathways throughout the city for bikes, trams, pedestrians, and cars!
My poster presentation, “Ameliorating Shortages of Health Care Personnel Through Educating the Professorate” (co-authored by Dr. Jace Hargis) was well attended and generated interesting conversations. Dr. Baxter gave two presentations: a platform “Short-term and Long-term Effects of Intensive Treadmill Training on Toddlers and Preschoolers with Cerebral Palsy,” (co-authored by Dr. Jim Mansoor) and one poster “Is Intenstive Suit Therapy Effective in Children with Cerebral Palsy with Different Levels of Function? A Retrospective Study.” Both were very well attended by both expert clinicians wanting to hear about Dr. Baxter’s research findings and by novice clinicians wanting to learn more.
World Physical Therapy 2015 will be in Singapore and I certainly plan to attend.
June 2nd, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
Dr. Cathy Peterson, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at University of the Pacific, recently received a distinguished Fulbright Award. The Fulbright Award program was established in 1946 to improve understanding between the United States and other countries through the exchange of people and expertise. Fulbright Awards are extremely prestigious. During their year abroad, Fulbright Award recipients are recognized as outstanding national experts in their area of endeavor.
In this special guest post, Dr. Peterson shares her reflections on what this award means for teaching and learning in physical therapy – her unique efforts to contribute to a developing and emerging profession in a developing and emerging country.
–ed.
[Read more →]
May 5th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
By Katie Graves, PT, DPT, OCS, Director of Clinical Education
I find fax machines generally frustrating. No two devices work the same. And perhaps I am just impatient. I would like to be able to walk up, dial a number, hit send, and instantly know my task is complete. But of course, we all know that is not the case. It seems that 9 times out of 10, I receive a transmittal error message or even worse “transmission failure.” Failure? That seems rather harsh. I want to receive the success message right away: knowing I can hit send, walk away from the machine, and everything is complete. Only successful messages, please.
On Monday, many of us sent faxes to our state legislatures. Perhaps many of us received “transmission failure” messages. Thankfully, we persisted. Because on Monday, May 2nd 2011, our message was received loud and clear. Due to the leadership of our CPTA and the grass root efforts of California physical therapists, SB 924 Consumer Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services, PASSED out of the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development with five yes votes, two no votes and two abstentions.
Persistence and dedication. As physical therapists, failure is not really in our vocabulary. We accept error messages. We know that error promotes learning… often leading to successful outcomes. As California physical therapists, we have watched and applauded the success of our neighboring states (Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and most recently Hawaii) practice to the full extent of their training with consumer direct access to physical therapy services. So we watch, but we also persist.
We persist because we know that successfully establishing Consumer Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services is good for California. We are the experts in human movement and function. The level of physical therapist education and clinical training prepares us to practice within a direct access model. We persist because we are dedicated to our patients, and by practicing to the full extent of our training, we can provide a solution to several of our health care problems. As stated by our CPTA President, Dr. James M. Syms, PT, DSc, ATC, SCS, SB 924 “will improve the health care process for millions of Californians who have had to endure delays and unnecessary costs because they have been unable to access timely physical therapy treatment.”
So dust off those fax machines…or if you are like me, and experience an eternal battle with fax machines… just pick up the phone. Write, call and visit your state legislators! Many thanks to those who contributed to this initial success of SB 924, by writing and calling members of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. Next step: the Senate Appropriations Committee. For more information about how to contact your legislators or for more details about SB 924 visit our CPTA website: www.ccapta.org
As proud members of the Pacific Physical Therapy program lets work together to successfully transmit our message: Consumer Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services is a safe and common-sense approach to improving health care delivery in California.
March 15th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
By Ryoto Nagaoka (Class of 2012)
Some students have come together and planned a disaster relief effort in response to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan late last week. We will be collecting donations in front of the bookstore on the south campus from Wednesday to Friday of this week. All of the proceeds will go to Red Cross and a message card with an origami crane handcrafted by the students will be handed to those who donated. We also plan on having a poster board where people will be free to write messages to people in Japan, whose lives were greatly affected but are striving to rebuild their nation.
The University has posted about this event on the school’s website which can be accessed here:
http://www.pacific.edu/General-Information/News/Pacific-News/March-2011/Fundraiser-for-Japanese-Victims.html
We also have created a Facebook event page and we’d like to extend our invitation to everyone.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185179454858318
The university Facebook event page can be accessed here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=209527175730500
Please join us in the effort to help those in need.
WHAT: Donation Campaign for Japan’s Earthquake and Tsunami
WHEN: 3/16 (Wed) – 3/18 (Fri), 11:00 am to 5:00pm
WHERE: In front of the Bookstore
March 8th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
The Class of 2012 is hosting a
FUNDRAISER
on
March 8, 2011 5-8pm.
at Applebee’s
209-952-9330
ONLY @ 2659 W. MARCH LANE, STOCKTON
Please join us!!!! All are welcome!!
And if you do not have time to mingle, please take the time to print our form to order take-out as well!!!
DO NOT FORGET TO PRINT OUT FORM!
D2D flyer-UoP Doctorate
Thank you for your support!!
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The proceeds assist University of the Pacific in providing cutting edge educational opportunities for the DPT students by aiding us in attending a national physical therapy conference. This conference allows us to learn more about the ongoing medical advancements in our profession.
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March 4th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
By Kelsey Kikugawa (Class of 2012)
Another week of tests and projects, done. Every month, as I change the dates on my dry erase calendar, I am amazed at what I did especially when it’s been done well. It’s a little chance to breathe and actually feel proud of my accomplishments without having to stress about the next test or project coming up. Then I begin looking at the syllabus and writing out the next month. “Well, March doesn’t look that bad,” I think to myself, “A whole week off in the middle of the semester? Yes, please.” Sure a few exams, quizzes, and projects here and there but nothing is going to ruin my spring break. One thing I learned from this program, is to take breaks and relax every chance you get. Then when it’s time to buckle down, you are more efficient and business gets done. Sure, I’ve been guilty of the last minute studying during lunch break but after a long seven hour class day, I can afford to take an hour or two off when I get home to get some quality time with the tube. Even Dr. Davenport can find time during lunch to play some kickball in a little game outside the Rotunda. Well thank goodness, Thursday is our Friday for now, going to go de-stress from the week to prepare for next week. Also, have to be sure to have a fun time for the second-year’s send off party! Physical therapy school isn’t always work; there is always time for play.
March 3rd, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
By Zack Mertz (Class of 2011)
There are hundreds of scholarships available for college students each year, companies looking to help out as much as they can. Yes, GRADUATE school scholarships are a little harder to come by, but if you are diligent enough and look in the right places you can find them. Some scholarships are as simple as filling in your name online and writing a quick 250 word essay about what you want to be when you grow up. Others take a little more thought process and require you to get letters of recommendation and transcripts. I know I know, most who are reading this are saying to themselves, “Why apply, there is no way I am going to get it? There are too many people applying for me to be considered.” I myself try to apply to as many as I can, because as the title of this blog states, you wont know if you can get one unless you try. The following are just a couple of instances where students from Pacific’s Physical Therapy program applied for scholarships and won.
Recently Class of 2011 student Catherine Pham was awarded the Northeast District of the California Chapter (APTA) Physical Therapy Student Scholarship. The Northeast District offered three different scholarships to the schools in its district. The schools within the Northeast district are University of the Pacific, California State University of Sacramento and Sacramento City College – PA school. This is just one example of many scholarship opportunities, which have come our way in the past two years at Pacific.
I was fortunate enough to receive the Arthur C. and Florence S. Boehmer Scholarship Fund, which is a scholarship from a local organization in my hometown of Lodi, CA. This scholarship is awarded to a college student who is pursuing a medical profession and lives in the city limits of Lodi.
March 1st, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
Congratulations to University of the Pacific Physical Therapy graduates on earning their clinical specialization!
Krista Lynn Belshe 2005
Brooke Lindsay Kasten 2007
Benjamin Wesley Mellon 2000
Christina Michelle Mellon 2001
Leah Renee Mikla 2004
Michelle Shizuka Naito 2006
Drusilla Tiare Thompson 2005
The process of board certification requires that candidates submit evidence of required clinical practice in a specialty area. In addition, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous written examination to show specialized knowledge in a specialty area of physical therapist practice.
Great work to these distinguished Physical Therapy alumni who personify the clinical excellence of our graduates!
February 27th, 2011 by University of the Pacific DPT in Uncategorized · No Comments
Faculty and students from the Department of Physical Therapy made a variety of strong contributions to programming at the recent Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in New Orleans, LA:
* Dr. Sandra Bellamy organized and hosted the Pacific alumni reception, in addition to attended Section on Pediatrics events that included the new member breakfast and business meetings. Dr. Bellamy also conducted organizational meetings for Region I of Pediatrics Section.
* Dr. Todd Davenport participated in an on-site session as an invited grant reviewer for the Orthopaedic Section. He also was first author on a poster project entitled, “Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterizing chronic fatigue syndrome,” and a platform presentation entitled, “Validity of self-report measures for health perceptions in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.” Co-authors on these projects included Staci Stevens (Pacific Fatigue Laboratory), Dr. Mark Van Ness (Sport Science), Dr. Chris Snell (Sport Science), and Katie Baroni (Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2011). Dr. Davenport, Ms. Stevens, Dr. Van Ness, and Dr. Snell presented the educational session entitled, “How to Help Patients Who Are Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: Physical Therapist Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” for the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section. Dr. Christy Wilson (Physical Therapy) served as sponsor for this program. Dr. Davenport also co-authored the poster entitled, “Physical therapist management of complicated bilateral ankle sprain: case study and description of clinical reasoning” along with colleagues from Des Moine University in Des Moine, IA.
