Physical Therapy Program Celebrates PT Month with a Myriad of Activities

October 31, 2022

The Department of Physical Therapy knocked it out of the park this October, which is recognized as National Physical Therapy Month, with activities celebrating the role physical therapists play in the healthcare realm.

On October 6, first year Doctor of Physical Therapy students, under the leadership of Alaina Bell, PT, DPT, instructor, and Melisa Smith, PT, DPT, assistant professor, provided blood pressure screenings in the campus Atrium for students, faculty and staff.

The following day, 17 Lanier Technical College physical therapy assistant students with two faculty members visited campus for an interprofessional education lab with PCOM Georgia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy students. According to Jeanne Welch, PT, EdD, DPT, professor and associate chair, the four-hour session focused on comparing and contrasting the scope of practice for a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant, as well as fostering communication between the two professions.

Students were divided into groups with both professions represented in each group. Discussions ensued about aspects of a care plan that may be delegated to support personnel, and how to foster effective communication between PTAs and DPTs in practice. The lab culminated with a case scenario in which the student physical therapists developed a treatment plan from ideas presented by all students and performed an evaluation.

Joy Adams, PT, DPT, program director of the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lanier Technical College, said, “This unique collaborative learning experience allowed for students to empower each other with their knowledge and skills and initiate the development of PT/PTA relationships. Students found the experience to be an excellent opportunity to work on strong team communications and provide a perspective of the PTA’s role to optimize patient/client care. Our PTA students came away from the event wishing for more of these opportunities with DPT students.”

On October 12, second year DPT students under the leadership of Jennifer Wiley, PT, DHsc, DPT, associate professor, conducted postural screenings for students and employees in the Gait Lab.

Pelvic floor screenings with ultrasound imaging were provided in the physical therapy suite on October 19 by students under the direction of Ruth Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, WCS, chair of the Physical Therapy program, Dr. Welch and Dr. Wiley. Dr. Maher said, “Many of the women attendees said this was the first time their pelvic floor muscle function was assessed.”

The community was invited to campus on Saturday, October 22 for a pickleball injury prevention screening, under the leadership of Elizabeth Chaffin, PT, DPT, ATC, assistant professor and director of clinical education. According to Dr. Maher, attendees remarked on how beneficial the program was in identifying appropriate exercises to address their limitations and ultimately prevent injury.

Both the pelvic floor and pickleball player screenings will be offered to the surrounding community in the near future, according to Dr. Maher.

To round out the events, Dr. Maher represented the College well when she made a podium presentation at the International Continence Society’s annual meeting in Vienna, Austria.

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