SLU PT Student Uses Scholarship to Build Clinical Skills While in Perú

Service Trip Spotlight - Physical Therapy in Perú

by Clarine Stephens (DPT Class of 2019)

The Cheryl Cavallo Scholarship gave me the opportunity to experience physical therapy in a culture completely different from my own. Through the Scholarship, I stayed in Piura, Perú for 3 weeks treating patients in a clinic with a Peruvian physical therapist while learning so much about how culture and society there impact quality of care and access to treatment. I also had the opportunity to treat patients in a hospice, interpret pediatric appointments between an American physician and her patients, and teach massage techniques to cosmetology students at a trade school.

My clinical application skills and my ability to communicate effectively in Spanish improved immensely, both of which will be very useful for me in my professional career. I couldn’t be more grateful for the SLU Program in Physical Therapy and the Cavallo Scholarship for providing me the opportunity to experience all that I did in Perú!

There are two ways to help support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund. You may participate in the 16th Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K (register here) or donate directly to the fund. The Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K is in memory of Cheryl Cavallo, a long time faculty member in the Program in Physical Therapy who lost her courageous battle to cancer in 2013.  She served as the faculty mentor for the Program in Physical Therapy Student Council for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated this event for 11 years.  She lived the Jesuit mission everyday by giving back to those less fortunate.  All proceeds from the memorial fundraiser will benefit the Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to help defray travel costs for students wishing to pursue health care related domestic or international mission trips. For more information, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event, contact Michelle Cohen at mcohen17@slu.edu.

Cheryl L. Cavallo, PT, Ph.D.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students who have utilized the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to finance their service trips. Service is an integral part of the Saint Louis University experience. SLU  is currently #4 on Washington Monthly’s list of universities who participate most in community service. To learn more about service at SLU, visit the Center for Service and Community Engagement website at www.slu.edu/service.