It started with a piece of equipment that was ignored for a while. It turned into a story of innovation in physical therapy education. Gabriel Somarriba, PT, DPT, is an assistant professor and the assistant program director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program on the USAHS campus in Miami, Florida. “Our Center for
On her first day as a student in the pro bono clinic on USAHS’ St. Augustine campus, Allison Esposito was assigned to work with a patient who had a transfemoral amputation and a prosthetic leg. “I was kind of terrified at first,” she says. As a sixth-trimester student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program,
At a time when so many aspects of education are compelled to go online, USAHS faculty are not only adapting—we’re taking virtual learning to the next level. During Fall 2020, faculty members across departments collaborated to create clinical simulation sessions that were delivered in a live, interactive virtual mode. Filmed with live actors in the
Many graduate healthcare programs, ranging from medical and nursing school to physical therapy degree programs, hold a white coat ceremony as a rite of passage for students. This ritual signifies students’ entrance into the medical profession and recognizes all their hard work that led up to this point. Whether you are on the journey to becoming
Diet and nutrition have a major impact on overall health, including our ability to maintain healthy muscle tissue and recover well. Evidence suggests that a plant-based diet––one that emphasizes whole foods and that is free of animal products––is a powerful way to achieve optimal health. Physical therapists can offer dietary guidance to their patients as
We’re proud of our 567 graduates for rolling with the challenges of 2020! Not only did they successfully complete their studies during a pandemic—they had to pop the champagne at home. Our Fall graduations went virtual on four USAHS campuses, celebrating graduates from our physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology programs. Graduates created slides
Mentors are an important resource for the new physical therapist (PT). After you graduate with your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, a mentor can guide you as you launch your career, helping you hone your clinical skills, design creative treatment plans, and solve complex client problems. Your mentor will give you the inside scoop
When your clinical rotations begin, so does one of the most exciting phases of your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Your rotations are a chance to bring your classroom knowledge to life, learn how clinics function, and start working with patients in a clinical setting. But the first few weeks can also be nerve-wracking,
If you have just graduated from a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and passed the licensure exam, it’s time to celebrate: You’re beginning one of the most exciting times of your life. But your first foray onto the PT job market can also feel overwhelming. There are so many possibilities for your next step.
When a boy in her local community sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident, leaving him unable to walk, Elizabeth Ardolino, PT, MPT, MS, PhD, thought she might be able to help. An associate professor of physical therapy (PT) on the USAHS Austin campus, Dr. Ardolino is an expert on locomotor training in
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for its new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program being launched at USAHS Dallas campus*. USAHS is now accepting applications to the DPT program, which will launch in Dallas
Solving puzzles, reviewing charts, communicating with patients, practicing clinical skills. At USAHS, our physical therapy and occupational therapy students work together in our simulation labs right away. Interprofessional simulations are part of Patient/Client Care Management 1 (PCCM-1), a first-trimester core course for the Residential DPT, OTD, and MOT programs on all campuses. “From Day
