UAB Department of Physical Therapy
ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19
The UAB Department of Physical Therapy has offered outstanding educational programs for more than 50 years.
DEPARTMENT CHAIR'S LETTER
UAB Department of Physical Therapy
2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome, It is an exciting time of growth for the UAB Department of Physical Therapy (PT). We have added a residency education program in addition to our nationally ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program and our PhD in Rehabilitation Science program that we offer collaboratively with our Department of Occupational Therapy. We have grown our faculty research; adding scientists, increasing productivity, and expanding lab space – all of which you will read about inside. Our growth coincides with the university climbing 10 spots on the NIH funding list (up to #21) over the past five years. In addition, our Annual Report will reveal initiatives that expand our leadership in education, research, and service. You will read about the expansion of our international continuing education enterprise, unique opportunities that enhance the diversity of our students, faculty and staff, and how we extend PT services to underserved populations in Alabama and beyond.
New School Dean named APTA Fellow The new dean of the UAB School of Health Professions was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow this year. Andrew J. Butler, PT, PhD, FAPTA, who has an appointment within the Department of Physical Therapy, was named an APTA Fellow on June 13 and began his tenure as our dean on July 1. We look forward to working with him!
I am enthusiastic about the future of UAB PT and I know you will be too after reading our Annual Report. Thank you for your continued support – it is much appreciated by everyone in our department.
Dean Butler (right) tours the
DAVID MORRIS, PT, PHD, FAPTA Professor, Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
UAB/Lakeshore Collaborative Research Center with faculty member Dr. Robert Motl.
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Contents
PROGRAM DIRECTOR'S LETTER
UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
05 UAB PT
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Faculty Profiles
I am inspired and humbled by the talented team of faculty, students and staff in the DPT program. Our faculty have grown tremendously over the past year to include talented clinician and scientist educators who are moving the science of physical therapy and physical rehabilitation to the next level in the areas of clinical practice, basic science, DPT education, plus, health and wellness for individuals with disabilities.
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We have world-renowned faculty who taught in Australia, China, Russia and India during 2019. Our students have long been excited and willing to lead many volunteer efforts to serve the local community, partner with rural clinics, and advocate for the PT profession.
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Our recently revised curriculum enables our UAB DPT students to follow their passion and gain clinical knowledge and experience through community-based integrated clinical education experiences.
Education
Research
16 Service
18 Alumni
As you read this report, I hope that you are inspired, excited and encouraged as you fulfill your own vision related to the physical therapy profession. Sincerely,
JENNIFER B. CHRIST Y, PT, PHD Associate Professor, UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director
UAB Physical Therapy At UAB, we have never settled on merely finding what’s next — we have helped build the future through new ideas and initiatives in the classroom, the laboratory and the clinic. Our students are exposed to cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art facilities during their academic and clinical education. OUR PROGRAMS
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
NEUROLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENCY
PHD IN REHABILITATION SCIENCE
OUR MISSION: To prepare physical therapists who are evidence-based practitioners with the skills, knowledge and behaviors to deliver value-based physical therapy services, consultation, education, critical inquiry and administration, with a primary focus on clinical practice involving diverse populations.
DPT PROGRAM — BY THE NUMBERS
156 current students
530 total graduates
97%
1st time NPTE pass rate
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Awards & Recognition FACULTY - NATIONAL AWARDS APTA Catherine Worthingham Fellow Andrew Butler, PT, PhD, FAPTA David Morris, PT, PhD, FAPTA
ALUMNI - 2019 PT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATIONS Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy Ashley Parish, PT, DPT (Class of 2013)
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Ryan Babl, PT, DPT, MS (Class of 2010) Dana Daniel Blake, PT, DPT, MS (Class of 1995) Joseph Brent Congo, PT, MS (Class of 2001) Michael DuBois, PT, DPT (Class of 2014) Dominque Forte, PT, DPT (Class of 2015) Frederick Gilbert, PT, DPT (Class of 2015) Toshio Sidney-Ando Leeper, PT, DPT (Class of 2012) Kimberly Clark Monk, PT, DPT (Class of 2010) Elizabeth Moore, PT, DPT (Class of 2013) Joshua Smith, PT, DPT (Class of 2015) Aaron Weeks, PT, DPT (Class of 2014)
APTA Emerging Leader
Matthew Ithurburn, PT, PhD
APTA Lucy Blair Service Award John Lowman, PT, PhD, CCS Jennifer Christy, PT, PhD
2019 DPT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Adams-Denton Travel Award
Carol E. Medders Endowed Scholarship in Health Professions
Chandler Ancona Sara Samchok
Nina Fecanin
Barnes Family Endowed Scholarship in Physical Therapy Michael Travers
Bridging the Gap for Physical Therapy Students Sponsored Scholarship Nina Fecanin Sara Samchok
Encompass Health Corporation Endowed Scholars Fund for Diversity in Rehabilitation Sciences Erica Archie
Encompass Health Corporation Endowed Scholarship Deiondria Williams Laura Worley
Shirley A. Shaddeau Memorial Endowed Scholarship Rachel Burch
School of Health Professions Junior Advisory Board Endowed Support Fund Sara Lynn Lowry Sara Samchok
Sharon E. Shaw Endowed Scholarship Ryan Kailey
TherapySouth Sponsored Scholarship Kimberly Galloway
UAB National Alumni Society Dean’s Scholarship Rachel Robertson Morgan Schuetz
SCHOLARSHIPS: Each scholarship received makes a difference in the lives of our students. We thank our alumni and friends for their generosity that helps lighten a student’s financial burden and allows them to focus solely on their PT education and future.
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UAB Depar tment of Physical Therapy
UAB PHYSICAL THERAPY
Faculty Profiles
Cara Bullard, PT, DPT
Carmen Capรณ-Lugo, PT, PhD
John Lowman, PT, PhD, CCS
Instructor
Assistant Professor
Jennifer Christy, PT, PhD
Associate Professor Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy program
Christopher Hurt, PhD
Matthew Ithurburn, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS Assistant Professor
Associate Professor Director, Continuing Education and Community Outreach
David Morris, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Robert Motl, PhD
Ashley Parish, PT, DPT, CCS
Tara Pearce, PT, DHS
Patricia Perez, PT, DScPT, OCS
Associate Professor Director, Physical Therapy Neuro Residency program
Professor, Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
William Reed, DC, PhD
Brian Sandroff, PhD
Professor, Associate Director, UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative, Director of Research, Department of Physical Therapy, Co-Director, Exercise Neuroscience Research Lab
Harshvardhan Singh, PhD
Assistant Professor Co-Director, Human Performance Laboratory
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor Director, Clinical Education
Sheree York, PT, DPT, PCS
Hui-Ju (Zoe) Young, PhD
Donald Lein, PT, PhD
Assistant Professor
PT faculty published 93 peer-reviewed articles in 2018-19
Associate Professor Director, Mechanisms of Spinal Manual Therapy Laboratory
Assistant Professor Co-Director, Exercise Neuroscience Research Lab
Assistant Professor Co-Director, Human Performance Laboratory
Assistant Professor
Research Assistant Professor
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EDUCATION
Shaping the Future Our faculty and students share a passion for creative thinking, imaginative solutions, and excellence. Together, we influence the PT profession and the communities we serve through personal leadership, advocacy and lifelong learning.
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UAB Department of Physical Therapy
EDUCATION ➤
1st UAB Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Certificate Awarded On August 1, 2019, Sean Skelton, PT, DPT was the first physical therapist to finish the UAB Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program, sponsored by UAB PT and UAB Medicine’s Rehab Services. This program delivers evidencebased practice, critical inquiry and teaching skills to develop advanced neurologic PT clinical specialists. “I’m excited to see how this program grows because this is the first year and it is already an awesome learning experience and I know it will only get better” said Skelton. The UAB Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program accomplishes in one year what otherwise might take a therapist years to achieve on their own professionally. Currently, the program only selects one resident for the 12-month appointment, looking for a therapist who is selfmotivated, desires to learn, has good judgment and intuition, and is a team player.
Residents of this program receive 1:1 mentoring to help develop clinical reasoning, leadership and interprofessional skills in neurologic physical therapy. In addition, they participate in UAB’s Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CI Therapy) training program and become an APTA-credentialed clinical instructor (CI). Graduates of this program are equipped to be advanced practitioners in neurologic physical therapy and have the skills to teach and participate in clinical research. The UAB Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program has obtained candidate status from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). The program is co-directed by John Lowman, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist, and associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Katie Deaton Blackburn, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, and Liz Wylie, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy.
“I want to work with neurologic populations as well as serve in a mentorship role – I am passionate about helping others as a CI to students." — S E A N S K E LTO N , P T, D P T
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Oxford-style debates help DPT students understand professional issues DPT students recently participated in Oxford-style debates to better learn the issues they may face in the PT field. “Pro” or “Con” topics included: ◗ Should concussion patients be required to gain PT clearance before returning to activity? ◗ Should PTs be reimbursed for services delivered via telehealth? ◗ Should third-party payers adopt a merit-based payment system for PT services? Each debate ends with a brief class discussion where faculty lead the exploration into the pro and con arguments that were delivered. Tara Pearce, PT, DHS, director of Clinical Education and assistant professor, says “Creativity is a great skill for a PT to have, it strengthens your argument — in the clinic creativity can influence your client’s success because many people respond better with creative strategies to influence their recovery.”
6th Annual Marilyn Gossman Lecture Gail Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FNAP, delivered the Marilyn Gossman Lecture for the Advancement of Physical Therapy on March 7, 2019. Her presentation, “Leadership, Learning and Legacy,” focused on characteristics of excellence in physical therapy education and cited examples of academic excellence in the career of Marilyn Gossman herself. Gossman, whose legacy has impacted PT education for decades, is “The Mother” of UAB Physical Therapy. She joined the program in 1967 and served as chair for more than 30 years.
Previous Marilyn Gossman Lecturers ◗ 2018 – Richard Shields, PT, PhD, FAPTA ◗ 2017 – Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA ◗ 2016 – Steve Wolf, PT, PhD, FAPTA ◗ 2015 – Pamela Duncan, PT, PhD, FAPTA ◗ 2014 – Tony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA
“Creativity is a great skill for a PT to have in the clinic... many people respond better with creative strategies to influence their recovery." — TA R A P E A R C E , P T, D H S
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UAB Depar tment of Physical Therapy
Title Here Dr. Perez with the Rehab Department at People’s Hospital of Ningxia, China.
UAB PT Faculty: Changing the World through Knowledge UAB faculty teach advanced clinical practice courses around the world. David Morris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Department of Physical Therapy Chair, taught courses on Constraint Induced Movement Therapy for children and adults in St. Petersburg, Russia, Madrid, Spain and Hyderabad, India. He will teach in Croatia this fall. Jennifer Christy, PT, PhD, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director, taught a Pediatric Vestibular Rehabilitation course to physiotherapists at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Patty Perez, PT, DScPT, taught for a week at the People’s Hospital in Yinchuan, China. This is the fourth time since 2016 that Perez has taught and spoke at a conference in the capital of the Ningxia region of China. Perez also visited Beijing where she presented a continuing education course on PT management of cervical spine dysfunction with Chuan Wang, PT, DPT, (UAB DPT, Class of 2010).
UAB DPT Students and Faculty Race for Research! UAB DPT students raised $4,400 for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research and received Honorable Mention in the VCU-Marquette Challenge at NEXT 2019. Led by DPT student and race director, Elizabeth Barham, UAB DPT students organized a 5K race held on January 12, 2019 in Homewood, Alabama. We appreciate all of the area physical therapy clinics who sponsored the race to support PT research.
$4,400 raised for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research in 2019
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RESEARCH
Spirit of Discovery UAB PT has multiple rehabilitation research collaborations and laboratories that are funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and multiple other federal funding agencies and foundations.
The newly-renovated UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative Center occupies 15,000 square feet of dedicated research space.
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UAB Department of Physical Therapy
RESEARCH ➤
Collaborations UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative The UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative focuses on research in health promotion and applied rehabilitation science that restores, improves or maintains function, community participation, and quality of life for people across the lifespan who have or will face chronic physically disabling conditions (e.g., spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, joint injury). This is accomplished through the development and oversight of a world class space for dedicated research on exercise, nutrition, and emotional self-regulation (e.g., health behaviors) for improving health, function, and well-being among persons living with physical disability and chronic health conditions. The Center is a shared space among faculty and researchers within the UAB School of Health Professions and is co-directed by UAB Physical Therapy faculty member Robert Motl, PhD.
UAB Constraint-Induced Therapy Research Group
The UAB Constraint-Induced (CI) Therapy Research Group works on therapeutic approaches to rehabilitation of movement after stroke, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury. UAB PT faculty member David Morris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, is one of the lead researchers at the UAB CI Therapy Research Group.
Physical Therapy in Osteoporosis Collaboration Group
The Physical Therapy in Osteoporosis Collaboration Group (Harshvardhan Singh, PhD and Donald Lein, PT, PhD) investigates various novel therapeutic strategies to address problems related to osteoporosis. One of the novel approaches that the team is interested in is the use of muscle lengthening contractions to create greater and safe loading on bone to make it stronger.
“As we continue to integrate research and evaluation into our daily programs, we are confident that we will improve programs and document through research the positive impacts of exercise, wellness, and sport for people with physical disability.” — J E F F U N D E R W O O D, President, Lakeshore Foundation
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➤ RESEARCH
Laboratories Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory (ENRL)
The ENRL is dedicated to studying physical activity behavior, its measurement, its promotion and consequences in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The goal of their research is to generate knowledge to help stop and reverse MS-related consequences, thereby restoring function and quality of life.
Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) The HPL consists of two state-of-the-art research spaces and utilizes gold-standard approaches to evaluate biomechanics, neuromuscular performance, metabolic and aerobic performance, and clinical function to help understand mechanisms of disease and recovery, as well as the extent to which these mechanisms are modifiable with interventions.
Locomotor Control and Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory
The Locomotor Control and Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory conducts research to better understand neuromusculoskeletal control during active movement in individuals post-stroke.
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UAB Depar tment of Physical Therapy
Mechanisms of Spinal Manual Therapy Laboratory (MSMT) The MSMT Laboratory works to determine the peripheral and central mechanisms of spinal manual therapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and/or related disability. A variety of animal models, custom-made spinal manual therapy devices, behavioral and electrophysiological methods are used to investigate translationally-relevant research questions with the goal of improving clinical care.
Vestibular and Oculomotor Research Clinic (VORC)
The VORC is investigating behavioral biomarkers for concussion and vestibular/oculomotor function in children with cerebral palsy and congenital cytomegalovirus. They are also developing interventions to treat children and adults who have vestibular related impairments.
93
peer-reviewed, publications by UAB PT faculty this past year.
Current Grant & Fellowship Highlights Robert Motl, PhD Co-Principal Investigator Comparative effectiveness of an exercise intervention delivered via telerehabilitation and conventional model of delivery Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) Carmen Capรณ-Lugo, PT, PhD Faculty Fellow Johns Hopkins Activity and Mobility Promotion (AMP) Program Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR) Brian Sandroff, PhD Principal Investigator Treadmill walking exercise training effects on cognition and brain function in multiple sclerosis: A systematically-developed randomized controlled trial National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01) Zoe Young, PhD Co-Principal Investigator Scale-up of an Innovative, Evidence-Based Movement-2-Music (M2M) Intervention for Adults with Physical/Mobility Disability National Institutes on Disability, Independently Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) William Reed, DC, PhD Principal Investigator Proprioceptive mechanisms underlying post-spinal manipulation response in an NGF- induced low back pain model National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R21) Christopher Hurt, PhD Principal Investigator Robotic treadmill for intense, adaptive training of walking propulsion National Institutes on Disability, Independently Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
Publication Highlights Ithurburn MP, Longfellow M, Thomas S, Hewett TE, Paterno MV, Schmitt LC. Knee function, strength, and maintenance of preinjury sports participation in young athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019. Sandroff BM, Motl RW, Reed WR, Barbey AK, Benedict RHB, DeLuca J. Integrative CNS plasticity with exercise in MS: The PRIMERS (Processing, Integration of Multisensory Exercise-Related Stimuli) Conceptual Framework. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2018. Brown CJ, Foley KT, Lowman JD Jr, MacLennan PA, Razjouyan J, Najafi B, Locher J, Allman RM. Comparison of Posthospitalization Function and Community Mobility in Hospital Mobility Program and Usual Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2016.
FACULTY GRANTS Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator
6 22 $14.9M NIH
Total Active
Total Direct Costs Co-Investigator
4 12 $9M NIH
Total Active
Total Direct Costs uab.edu /pt
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SERVICE
Making A Difference Our students, faculty and staff engage in community service because it has a long-lasting, positive impact on the places we live, and those we serve. These experiences provide our students with hands-on skills and lifelong passion to pursue service-related opportunities in their professional lives.
Since 2018, GoBabyGo Birmingham and PT student volunteers have adapted 18 cars for Alabama children with disabilities.
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UAB Department of Physical Therapy
SERVICE ➤
2014: UAB PT is the first to launch the “I Can Do It”
Recently, more than 70 faculty, staff, alumni, students and
program in Alabama.
clinicians participated in the PT Day of Service across Alabama.
I Can Do It, You Can Do It
Equal Access Birmingham
GoBabyGo
UAB Summer Health Professions Education Program
Firehouse Shelter Clinic
Global PT Day of Service
I Can Do It, You Can Do It”, which launched in 2014, now has more than 150 students from UAB Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition Sciences and the School of Education, impacting over 100 children and adults with disabilities in locations like the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind’s Helen Keller School, United Ability and the Horizons School. This program, lead by UAB DPT alumna, Adair Fuller (DPT, 2018) is supported by DPT student volunteers who assist in modifying electric toy cars for children with mobility deficits to allow for play and socialization with peers. In 2019, Fuller expanded GoBabyGo to include Demopolis, a city in Alabama’s underserved Black Belt region. The UAB School of Health Professions established the student-led Firehouse Shelter Clinic in 2016 to provide free access to health care for those who seek assistance at the Birmingham homeless shelter. Our students evaluate mobility problems, focus on available resources, and tailor physical therapy services and guidance for these clients.
This student-run free clinic offers PT students meaningful, service-learning encounters where they can apply their learned skills to assist and educate the medically underserved of Birmingham. Our students also collaborate with UAB healthcare students from medicine, occupational therapy and more.
This free 6-week summer enrichment residential program is designed to increase diversity in health professions. It's open to first and second year college students and is developed from a partnership between the UAB School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Optometry, and School of Health Professions. Every October, our students coordinate community-wide efforts as part of the American Physical Therapy Association’s National Physical Therapy Month. This year, students worked with peers from across the state volunteering at places like Fair Haven Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Barn and Wish 2 Enrich.
“I was raised to always give back – if you have something to give, money or time or skills – then you should be motivated to help others ...” — A DA I R F U LLE R P T, D P T (Class of 2018)
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UAB PT ALUMNI
Blazers Forever Our alumni are leaders and innovators within the PT profession and make groundbreaking contributions to the health of society.
“I am thankful that the faculty at UAB recognized and nurtured my leadership potential.” Fred Gilbert, PT, DPT, OCS, Class of 2015
I credit the UAB family for providing the platform and support to allow for a diverse early career experience. I was fortunate to be the first UAB student to serve as President of the APTA Student Assembly Board of Directors. This experience catalyzed future professional involvement including election to the Alabama Chapter Board of Directors, selection as a member of the APTA Early Career team, and launching the network that led to my latest entrepreneurial venture, MovementX, for which I am the Chief People Officer and a practitioner.
“My training and experiences at UAB paved the way for my unique practice model as well as my passion for the underserved.” Kristen Zeanah, PT, DPT, Class of 2010
After serving on mission trips to Africa, I decided to make a career change to help provide healing to people. I left my mechanical engineering job to attend UAB’s DPT program. During my time at UAB, I was able to treat patients at Equal Access Birmingham, an interdisciplinary program that provides PT and medical care for the underserved in the Birmingham area. Recently, desiring to care for patients outside the bounds of insurance, I started 10XPhysiotherapy as a concierge, cashbased practice providing 1-on-1 outpatient PT. With this practice model, I also have the flexibility to provide pro bono PT for residents of Brother Bryan Mission.”
“Professionalism, holistic patient care, and networking; these are three critical things I learned as a UAB DPT student.” Adair Fuller, PT, DPT, Class of 2018
As a student, I was afforded the resources and manpower to start a non-profit organization to help children in the Birmingham area gain independent mobility called GoBabyGo BHM. UAB has hosted four GoBabyGo BHM workshops, allowing the charity to donate 15 cars to local families whose children have limited mobility. Currently, I work in rural Alabama, and many of my patients have multiple comorbidities. Based on my UAB DPT education, I have the knowledge and skills to treat each of my patients holistically, whether they need assistance with smoking cessation, diabetes maintenance, or stress management. To assist in challenging clinical situations, I am also able to tap into a rich network of clinical experts I met during my time as a student.
50 Years of Dreams and Discoveries
Our ideas and innovations have energized our community and transformed Alabama into a destination for anyone ready to change the world. Join us as we celebrate our successes and share new visions that could shape the next 50 years. ➤ uab.edu/50/
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UAB Depar tment of Physical Therapy
Join UAB Physical Therapy as we celebrate our successes and share our efforts to shape the future of healthcare.
UAB Department of Physical Therapy 1720 2nd Ave South, SHPB 360X Birmingham, AL 35294-1212
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