A JOINT EFFORT
Issue 1 December 2021
UMES Department of Physical Therapy
Our Mission The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy is to prepare knowledgeable and competent practitioners in the field of physical therapy by using current clinical and theoretical concepts, expanding the knowledge base of physical therapy through research, and providing physical therapy services to the Eastern Shore and the State of Maryland. Graduates will be prepared to carry out the expanding responsibilities as autonomous health care providers.
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Inside the newsletter
Pandemic Perseverance PT Moves Me Student News Faculty News Research 2020-2021 2021 Award Recipients 2021 Graduate Poster Winner Continuing Education Alumni News
Class of 2021
A Message From The Chair
Happy holidays! We are very excited to share the first edition of our department newsletter “A Joint Effort”. The name was chosen as we believe it signifies the collaborative and interconnected relationships between our students, faculty, staff, and alumni as we move forward in our professional and personal lives. The newsletter will be a platform to share information about the Department of Physical Therapy, upcoming events and workshops, and our alumni. We hope you enjoy this issue and please let us know if you have information that you would like to share by emailing content to ptdept@umes.edu. From our family to yours, we wish you all the joy of season and a wonderful new year! Dr. Michael Rabel
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Faculty
Cynthia Holder Gill, PT, DScPT, MEd Dennis W. Klima, PT, MS, PhD, DPT, GCS, NCS Mary Layshock, PT, DPT, GCS Stephanie McAllister, PT, DPT, OCS Michael Rabel, PT, DScPT, OCS, CEAS Michelle Sanfilippo, PT, DPT, GCS Thomas K. Pellinger, PhD, ACSM, CEP & EP-c, NSCA, CSCS
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Pandemic Perseverance In March of 2020 the COVID 19 pandemic hit and most of the country quickly locked down. However, here at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the Department of Physical Therapy continued to move forward with teamwork and flexibility. The quick actions taken by the Department of Physical Therapy faculty and staff ensured that safety would be the number one priority. Faculty members quickly learned new teaching techniques so that students could continue their doctoral training and move toward an on-time graduation. (continue to next page)
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During the Summer of 2020, with flexibility and unwavering dedication from all team members, the Class of 2020 was successfully placed at clinical sites and fulfilled their requirement for degree completion. Clinical practicums changed from half day weekly sessions a week of full day sessions at the end of the semester. Faculty adapted and the program implemented enhanced on-line learning and lectures so that courses could continue according to the normal progression. Students returned to the campus for in-person laboratory sessions during the fall of 2020. Personal Protective Equipment was issued to everyone in order to safely operate and effectively teach the required skills. COVID testing was performed on a regular basis while simultaneously adhering to current CDC guidelines. The Department of Physical Therapy persevered and thanks to the deeply dedicated and resilient faculty and staff members, the class of 2020 graduated on-time with a smaller scale but in-person ceremony.
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A Night In History
The story began with a calling: to serve those who sacrificed so much for our country in World War I. Where others saw limitation, they saw potential. Since the founding of the APTA in 1921, they have moved forward together, with a passion and commitment to transform lives and strengthen our profession. On November 19th, the Department of Physical Therapy celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the physical therapy profession. Students dressed in garb from the World War One era, where physical therapist forerunners, or reconstruction aides, managed the many wartime injuries sustained. Guest speakers included Anita Bemis- Dougherty, PT, DPT, Vice President for Practice at the American Physical Therapy Association, who spoke on lifelong learning and mentoring. Retired physical therapist, Jeanne LaVigne, PT, MA, gave the keynote address reflecting on those years working with pioneer Signe Brunnstrom.
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Social Advocacy: If It’s Physical, It’s Therapy!!! To promote physical activity with masks and safe social distancing, the DPT first-year students initiated a social advocacy annual tradition by exercising the local dogs at the Wicomico County Humane Society.
Our first year students also participated in home construction with Habitat for Humanity.
During the Fall and Spring Semesters, UMES DPT students learned to adapt many sports for their patients to effectively have them return to their prior level of 5recreation.
PT Moves Me Ambassador Program PT Moves Me Ambassador Program Advisors, educators, or influencers play a major role in guiding prospective students to the profession of physical therapy. American Physical Therapy Association launched the Physical Therapy Moves Me student recruitment campaign and ambassador program to make it easier to reach the next generation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. For our program Autumn Smith (Class of 2022) is our student ambassador and Dr. Cynthia Gill is our program faculty ambassador.
Autumn Smith '22
The PT Moves Me Ambassador Program is designed to: • • •
raise awareness of the profession of physical therapy. recruit the next generation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. increase diversity within the applicant pool, and ultimately the profession. 6
Newly minted American UMES physical therapy student achieves U.S. citizenship Jan. 6, 2021 will go down in American history as the day democracy faced one of its stiffest challenges when citizens angry about 2020's presidential election results stormed the Capitol. Akanni Salako, a third-year student in UMES' physical therapy program, was ineligible to vote for president this past November, but earned that right Jan. 5 -- the day he took and passed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' civics test. A two decade-plus journey was over. “It felt like I could start my life,” he said. Salako, 28, emigrated from Nigeria with his parents when he was four. “The average person who met me didn't know I'm an immigrant,” he said. He grew up in the suburbs of Bowie, Md. in Prince George's County. “There were a lot of things I couldn't do,” he said. “Like driving. I didn't have the proper paperwork. In the back of my mind, it always felt like there was something looming over my head.” After graduating from Bowie High School, Salako attended Chesapeake Community College in Wye Mills, Md., where he played basketball and earned an associate's degree. From there, he enrolled at Virginia Union University in Richmond, majoring in biology and earning a scholarship to play basketball, where at 6-3 he played guard. Salako immersed himself in life at a private, historically black institution, joining Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., serving on the university's “royal court” and holding the title of Mister 1865. He also earned induction into the National Scientific Honor Society. He graduated from Virginia Union in 2016 and took a year off -- unsure what he wanted to do next. During that year, he became a certified personal trainer and started his own business, Salako Fitness. He also turned his attention to studying for the Graduate Record Examination and finding the best fit for his desire to parlay his interest in fitness into a career. UMES emerged as his choice because it “is a good value … and there's more of a clinical application to what we're learning.” During his interview to gain admission, Salako impressed Dr. Michelle Sanfilippo, an assistant professor who serves as UMES' clinical education director, with “his infectious smile, mature demeanor - and distinct height.” In the back of Salako's mind was the Obama administration's executive order that created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy. “It changed my life and started the transition to becoming a citizen,” he said. He said he has encountered those who believe immigrants “make trouble, steal our jobs. They're just trying to find a livelihood - trying to make something of themselves.” As he studied to pass the citizenship test this past fall, he kept reminding himself that “being an immigrant … doesn't make me any less important. I have things I can contribute if given the opportunity.” “There are a lot of questions you know the average American doesn't know,” he said. “I studied for three days; it was easy. The way I study, I have a method down.” Salako's clinical rotations have included a stint at an acute care hospital, where he worked with patients who had orthopedic and neurological challenges as well as those who suffered strokes and traumatic brain injuries. “He has been an excellent addition to our program,” Sanfilippo said, adding that he “is the student who constantly assisted classmates when they needed assistance with hands-on content in the acute care course during the 2019 summer semester.” Classmate Evann Slaughter said, “he's always there if you need him, but also works so hard for his business. It's a wonder how he manages to fit everything in.” "He never fails to give anyone in need a helping hand -- without hesitation -- while still managing his health, academics and his business," classmate Kylie Archibald said. Long-term, Salako's goal is to be a self-employed physical therapist, combining the training he's received as a UMES graduate student with what he's learned being a personal trainer. He called his first semester at UMES a more academically intense experience than “everything I learned as an undergraduate.” “I was challenged,” Salako said, “but I feel I'm prepared” to graduate in September. “Now, there's nothing that can stop what I'm trying do now,” he said.
Akanni Salako '21
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Welcome Thomas K. Pellinger PhD, ACSM CEP & EP-C, NSCA CSCS
Associate Professor
Dr. Pellinger joined the Department of Physical Therapy faculty in the summer of 2020. Prior to his UMES appointment, he worked for 9 years as a Professor, then Program Chair, of the Master of Science in Applied Health Physiology program at Salisbury University. Dr. Pellinger earned his Ph.D. in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon, where his research focused on the relationship between postexercise blood flow and metabolic regulation. In addition to his responsibilities as a Research and Teaching Fellow, he also served as the Testing Coordinator at Oregon's Bowerman Sports Science Clinic, where he evaluated and assisted a variety of highlevel athletes. Prior to starting his doctoral program, he worked as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, then Clinical Coordinator at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he oversaw the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Employee Wellness, and Weight Management programs. Currently, Dr. Pellinger is exploring the impact of noninvasive interventions on leg blood flow and functional capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). In addition, he and his colleagues are investigating the impact of various factors, including exercise, on arterial stiffness in humans. Dr. Pellinger is a member of the American Physiological Society, American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Clinical Exercise Physiology Association.
Welcome Stephanie McAllister, PT, DPT, OCS Assistant Professor
Dr. McAllister began teaching with the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the fall of 2020 and transitioned to a full-time faculty member in the summer of 2021. Prior to this, she provided clinical education opportunities to physical therapy students for over 10 years. Dr. McAllister earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2008 from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and has worked in a variety of clinical settings that include hospital-based acute care, acute and subacute rehabilitation, long term care, home health, and outpatient services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. McAllister developed an outpatient clinic that is both on-site and mobile in order to improve access to health care for patients/clients in underserved areas. Dr. McAllister is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a member of the APTA as well as the Orthopedic and Education sections. She continues to provide physical therapy services and pro bono consultations to patients/clients in the community. Her research interests include community based wellness programs, musculoskeletal injuries associated with water sports, and improving physical activity for all populations.
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Dr. Cynthia Gill named “Excellence in Teaching” award winner!
We are extremely pleased to share that Dr. Cynthia Gill, an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, received the "Excellence in Teaching" award this spring from the University System of Maryland's (USM) Board of Regents. On May 1, the governing board honored 17 faculty members from nine of the system's 12 institutions during the 2020 University System of Maryland Regents' Faculty Awards ceremony at Bowie State University. Honorees exemplify excellence in five categories: Public Service; Scholarship, Research or Creative Activity; Mentoring; Teaching; and Innovation. These awards are the highest honor the system's governing board bestows upon faculty members. Dr. Gill joined UMES' faculty in 1993, when the last group of UMES physical therapy graduates earned a bachelor's degree and the curriculum was transitioning to graduate-level instruction. Today, UMES offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to meet professional standards of practice. Gill described how “teaching appeals to me … because of the gratification I feel when a student experiences the 'ah-ha' moment,” Also, as a physical therapist, “I believe teaching healthcare professionals is very important because I assume what and how well they will impact their future patients. ”Nominating committees at each USM institution make recommendations to their respective presidents, who review nominations and supporting material and then forward names to Chancellor Jay A. Perman. The Regents' Faculty Review Committee makes the final recommendations. “It's very humbling and gratifying to be recognized for something … I take it very seriously and am continuously attempting to improve upon - and have spent the majority of my professional life doing,” Gill said. Gill's nomination described her as someone who “has excelled in the classroom, demonstrating a deep and abiding commitment to rigorous and innovative teaching. "Her primary responsibilities include teaching gross anatomy (advanced human anatomy), analysis of human movement (kinesiology / biomechanics) and medical imaging for physical therapists. The peer recognition at this point in her career, Gill said, deeply moved her. "I feel honored and gratified to be recognized for something I love doing and am continually trying to improve upon,” she said. The entire physical therapy program is extremely proud of Dr. Gill’s achievement and very fortunate to have her as a core faculty member for over 25 years. 10 Congratulations and Thank you Dr. Gill.
Dr. Klima Goes to Kenya
In 2020, Dennis Klima, PT, PhD, Full Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to teach a two-week neuromuscular intensive course for Kenyan physical therapists. The course was taught at Kenya Medical Training College and was sponsored by the Jackson Clinics Foundation, Project Africa. The physical therapists enjoyed mastering techniques in neurorehabilitation, and of course loved learning to dance the polka.
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Winner- First Place Graduate Poster Presentation
Presentation2021 UMES Research Symposium The Impact of a One-Day Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Bone Health Workshop on Bone Health Knowledge and Self-efficacy In Physical Therapists. Ariana Maxwell. Michelle Poulopoulos, Abbey Sauber, and Maria Stratakos Advisor(s): Cindy H. Gill, Mary Layshock Presentation: Poster Presentation
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2021 Joseph Beatus Award Recipients
Abbey Sauber
Conor Walsh
2021 Raymond L. Blakely Award Recipient
2021 Outstanding Service Award Recipient
Frank Rosenthal, PT, DOT, OCS, CCS Class of 2010
Zenobia Knight, PT, MBA, CIS, RAC-CT Consultant
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Alumni News My husband Billy ('06) and I opened our own practice in 2019, and just opened our second location in 2021. ~Jennifer (Scott) Hamilton '06
• I am now a Nurse Practioner! I am the Owner/Practioner for Beyond Health Group, a Home-Based Primary Care practice focused on providing primary care to homebound and older adult persons in their residence.
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• 18 years at UM Rehab & Ortho on the stroke unit DScPT from that "other" PT school in Baltimore in 2008 Board Certified Neurology • Specialist since 2013 Loving my time guest lecturing at UMES
Living that travel life, currently soaking up the rays and continuing my love of fitness in the Maldives Currently collecting dogs :) ~Amanda Leonard '03
Congratulations! Jennifer is the recipient of the 2020 Blakely Award
~Nancy (Raymond) Hurlock '98
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Since graduation, I deployed three times as an active-duty PT, then left the Navy, got married, and now work for the VA as the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for the Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare System ~Matt Evans '09
Personal: One brother had a baby (my first niece!). One brother graduated Med school. Professional: NABPT Leadership panelist, Executive Board Member of Comprehensive Medical Mentoring Program, Committee Lead for Pipeline program for minority students in DC high schools, OCS NABPT Leadership panelist for first conference. Still besties with Imani Mack (‘08) since meeting at UMES DPT Class of '08 ~Sabrina Altema '08
Professionally I have completed orthopedic Residency and Fellowship, OCS, two manual therapy certification programs and am dry needling trained. Enjoy being a CI, especially for UMES students. Personally, currently training to climb Mount Rainier in August. Picture above is from my trip to Mount Everest base camp in 2018. Potentially exciting personal news coming later this summer as well, will update! ~Ray Moore '09
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Co-Owner of KConway Physical Therapy, Inc. ~Richard Matthews ‘10
My niece graduated this year (2021) with a BS in Kinesiology from San Diego State University. She Has been accepted into 2 PT schools. I’m a proud Auntie, and blessed that I have made a positive Impact on her life. ~Carla Taylor ‘10
I work part-time at an outpatient facility in Dunkirk, MD, specializing in Pelvic Health. My husband and I have 2 kids, age 4 & 7 whom are being homeschooled. ~Sarah Anderson ‘11
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I have successfully opened and transitioned full time To my pelvic floor practice, Gaia Women’s Physical Therapy & Wellness. I never thought I’d own my own Practice, but it is possible! I have a lovely family with 2 little girls who are sassy and adventurous and know Mommy is a doctor who takes care of other mommies. ~Maggie Gise ‘12
I am a physical therapist at Elevate Life Women’s in Annapolis. I love being in a multidisciplinary setting with a chiropractor and Acupuncturist. I treat mostly prenatal, postpartum, and pelvic Floor patients. I also collaborate with the PT based at our more orthopedic based clinic. These patients are very relatable to me, As I am a mother of a two year old little girl. We are expecting our Second girl in August. UMES gave me an awesome base of Knowledge to build on and find my niche!
My wife, Amelia (Tarlton) Whaley ‘19 and I are expecting twins in December 2021!! ~Matt Whaley ‘14
~Danielle (Pedersen) MacCrory ‘15 19
Dillon Barnett ‘19 recently proposed, and I said yes! Professionally, I am now a Certified Manual Trigger Point Therapist in Dry Needling and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist ~Hilary Davis ‘18
I welcomed a baby Girl into the world November 4, 2020! Luna Jade Thomas ~Leland Thomas ‘18
I am married and we are living life to the fullest. I’ve worked at UMROI since graduating UMES and am currently working with my first full-time student (from UMES). ~Karis (Crone) Smith ‘17
I moved to Jim Thorpe, PA to live with my family and am working for Transform Rehabilitation, an outpatient Private practice! I was the third PT hired since it is a small (but growing) company. I’m enjoying going on hikes and exploring the area with new friends, as well as learning so much in these first 6 months as a DPT! ~Megan Findle ‘20 20
Congratulations to our Alumni! The Department would like to congratulate the following alumni on their outstanding achievement of becoming a Board Certified Clinical Specialist (2020 and 2021). Kevin Levi-Goerlich ‘18
We recognize the commitment and hard work that you have dedicated in order to become recognized as specialists in your particular area. The mission of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists is “to advance the profession of physical therapy by establishing, maintaining, and promoting standards of excellence for clinical specialization, and by recognizing the advanced knowledge, skills, and experience by physical therapist practitioners through specialist credentialing.” https://specialization.apta.org
Makenzie Worthington ‘17
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Natalie Snyder ‘18
Laura Kaufman 2021 Kevin Levi-Goerlich 2021 MacKenzie Worthington 2021 Natalie Snyder 2021 Jonathan Kretsch 2020 Patrick Miller 2020
Laura Kaufman ‘18
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy Mary Layshock 2020 Brian Lloyd 2020
Mary Layshock ‘12
Brian Lloyd ‘16
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CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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In Memoriam….. Dr. Carol Hamilton Zehnacker 1944-2021 Dr. Carol Hamilton Zehnacker died on November 21, 2021 after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis- Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Born in Ossining, New York on December 27, 1944, Carol was the only child of the late Robert McKee and Helen Smith McKee. She graduated from Mary Immaculate High School in Ossining, and Furman University in Greenville, Carolina. Carol’s passion for the mechanics of the human body drove her to further pursue her studies, acquiring a certificate in Physical Therapy from Duke University School of Medicine. After finishing her studies at Duke, Carol moved with her former husband, Dan Hamilton, to Massachusetts and then to Frederick, Maryland, where she also earned a Masters in Managerial Science from Hood College. Dr. Zehnacker’s business skills and devotion to healing through physical therapy led her to found Amber Hill Physical Therapy in 1985. After fifteen years she sold the business, freeing her to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Widner University in Chester, PA. It was after this time that she began to see clients in their homes and later, at her own home. Among Dr. Zehnacker’s many professional honors, those bestowed by the Maryland Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, in which she was an active an valued member and representative, included: the 2005 Henry A. and Florence P. Kendall Award for Outstanding Physical Therapist, the 2018 Richard T. Perez Jr. Distinguished Service Award and the 2019 Stephen N. Levine Award. In 2019, Carol was awarded the Widener University Alumni Distinguished Service Award. In 2021, Dr. Zehnacker achieved national recognition when she was awarded the 2021 Lucy Blair Service Award from the American Physical Therapy Association. This prestigious award honors a physical therapist member whose contributions to APTA are of exceptional quality. Carol was an active participant in the community life of Frederick. While maintaining her practice and teaching responsibilities, she served the Women’s Giving Circle and on the Board of Directors of Heartly House for Victims of Domestic Violence. Carol’s avocation was exercise. She enjoyed running, biking and swimming, and surprisingly, was a decorated triathlete. The joy she experienced over the years in those activities further spurred her work as a physical therapist and complemented her training as a certified personal trainer. She labored to assist others in reaching their optimum level of movement after injury or surgery. Additionally, Dr. Zehnacker taught health related courses for older adults at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Frederick Community College for twenty-one years. Carol’s greatest joy was her family. Her husband, Mike Zehnacker, was a stalwart provider of love, support and encouragement. Carol’s daughters, Virginia and Vicki honor her in being 21 amazing, talented, strong and compassionate women. Carol’s tender-hearted and dearly loved son, Rob, proceeded her in death in 2009. She delighted in her grandchildren and imparted to them her love of
In Memoriam…
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