5 minute read
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES
Responding to COVID by practicing the agility we teach.
Exercise science, occupational therapy, athletic training, physical therapy — all disciplines require hands-on assistance, precise techniques and lots of supervised practice to master. But how do you pull that off in the midst of a pandemic?
That was the chief challenge COVID posed when the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences had to suspend in-person learning in 2020. Prior to COVID, about 30% of the programs’ courses were virtual. So while it took a great deal of effort to transform the other 70% of classes for synchronous learning, it was within our wheelhouse. But each of our programs also has a lab feature where techniques are learned and practiced. And those skills are critical to graduation and certifi cation.
So faculty and staff went to work recording some labs and curating virtual lab content from websites and from the platform PhysioU. Then students would record themselves practicing the techniques, often using family and members of their COVID pod as “patients.” Though timeconsuming for all involved, it was a seamless and effective approach. By June 2020, some students were back on campus. For those returning to campus, the number of in-person labs increased to support social distancing and group sizes.
Through all the hard work, uncertainty and moment-by-moment changes of 2020, we learned some new things. We found that our students can benefi t through various modes of learning and that in-person learning is not necessarily always the best. We learned that students greatly valued the support of their families while studying from home. It relieved some of the stress. They also liked virtual offi ce hours with their professors because it was more convenient. And fi nally, when classes went
virtual, so did our problem-based learning
discussion groups. Students liked the virtual discussion format so much that we are making it a part of the curriculum.
Despite all of 2020’s challenges, we remained agile and maintained the progress of our programs. Some highlights include:
} Exercise Science } Enrollment increased among students starting the upper- level curriculum. 70 in 2020 compared to 50 in the past years. } Gold level (highest) recognition from the American College of Sports Medicine for Exercise is Medicine on campus. } Recognition from the National Strength and Conditioning Association for being an Education Recognition program.
} Physical Therapy } The FGCU Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Clinic has opened for a limited number of patients on campus. } Started an Orthopedic Residency program and Fellowship program through the American Physical Therapy Association. } Board pass rates at the national average or better.
} Occupational Therapy } 100% board pass rates. } Assistant Professor Annemarie Connor received a foundation grant to start the Community Autism Network. } The Student Occupational Therapy Association performed more than 400 hours of community service with a variety of local organizations.
FGCU Rehabilitation Sciences alum gives weary warriors a fi ghting chance.
Home Base, a collaboration between the Red Sox Foundation and the Massachusetts General Hospital Program, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of veterans through clinical care, wellness, research and education.
In 2014, Home Base launched a Warrior Health and Fitness program at FGCU under the leadership of Armando Hernandez (’14, B.S.) and in partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. Home Base WHF is a wellness program for veterans that encompasses fi tness, nutrition and mindfulness. All services provided are at no cost and are open to spouses as well.
The program is designed to help veterans and
warriors improve their physical health and
well-being through supervised physical exercise, education about healthy eating, living, sleep hygiene, stress management and the health benefi ts of physical activity. Additionally, the program serves as a portal to more complex care for those in need of treatment for the invisible wounds. Participants benefi t from working in partnership with medical providers to make informed choices that promote lifelong health, while simultaneously forming a new band of ”brothers and sisters” through shared experiences designed around positive competition.
Armando is a Marine and Iraq war veteran who had a diffi cult time transitioning to civilian life himself. He found relief through diet and exercise. While earning his degree at FGCU, he interned with the Red Sox who asked him to create a program for veterans for their foundation. Florida Gulf Coast University has hosted 500 As a veteran and an alumnus, I’m proud that FGCU tries so hard to maintain, increase and improve health services for veterans in SW Florida. Their partnership with Home Base has made a huge impact on our program.”
– Armando Hernandez, ‘14, B.S.
veterans and spouses since the WHF program began — nearly 100 in 2020 alone. The university has made this possible by providing a reliable training facility where Home Base can offer its services and the equipment needed.
“As a veteran and an alumnus, I’m proud that FGCU tries so hard to maintain, increase and improve health services for veterans in SW Florida,” says Hernandez. “Their partnership with Home Base has made a huge impact on our program.”
The WHF program has been so successful and has grown so much, in fact, that FGCU has recently moved the program out of its Exercise Science labs and into a home base all its own in the Kleist Center. Together, FGCU and Home Base WHF are delivering much-needed
services to the community and serving heroes
who have served us.
Armando Hernandez
} Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science } Master of Science in Athletic Training } Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy } Doctor of Physical Therapy } Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy
