2021 Hustle for Your Health Virtual 5K Winners Announced

Congratulations to the top winners for the 

20th Annual Cheryl Cavallo Hustle for Your Health 5k!

In the women's category, the top three winners were Grace Dorian, Clare O'Carroll, and Kasey Metzner. In the men's category, the top three winners were Michael Augustine, Matthew Boebel, and Alexander Telfer (pictured below).

Students Anna Schmidt, Alex Telfer, Lindsey Martin, Colleen Kadowaki, & Kurt Rolfes

The Cheryl Cavallo Hustle for your Health is an annual event held during Saint Louis University's Homecoming and Family Weekend. For 2021 it was virtual to ensure those in the SLU family who wanted to participate could, despite travel restrictions or other barriers.

PY3 Students Caroline Sauer and Emily Chisolm

Participants ran at a time and place convenient for them, submitting their results by Saturday, September 25, 2021. Thank you to the Physical Therapy Student Association for their organization of the event but the event would not have been successful without all who signed up. Check out the photos of students and other SLU community members participating virtually. Hope to see you in 2022.

SLU staff member Kristin Hrasky

The Annual Hustle for Your Health 5K helps support the Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship Fund 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 (now the Physical Therapy Student Association) for 22 years and tirelessly coordinated this event for 11 years. She lived the Jesuit mission every day by giving back to those less fortunate. 

Cheryl Cavallo, PT, PhD

All proceeds from the memorial fundraiser benefit the Cheryl Cavallo Memorial Scholarship to help defray travel costs for students wishing to pursue healthcare-related domestic or international mission trips. For more information, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event in the future, contact ptsa@slu.edu.

If you missed your opportunity to participate in this year's event, you may still give to the scholarship on the Saint Louis University Giving page.

To learn more about how our students have previously used this scholarship to fund their travel for mission trips, you can read it in their own words:

SLU Program in Physical Therapy Student Laura Seadler Uses Scholarship to Travel to Clinical Site in Belize

SLU Program in Physical Therapy Student Stella Jeong Uses Scholarship for a Public Health Immersion Trip with Campus Ministry

SLU PT Student Gains New Perspective During Service Oriented Clinical Internship

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

SLU PT Student Focuses on Service - Not Finances - With Help From Scholarship

SLU PT Student Albert Marban Named as Honoree of Cheryl L. Cavallo Memorial Scholarship

SLU PT Student Uses Scholarship to Pay it Forward

SLU PT Student Focuses on Patient-Centered Care in Jamaica

SLU PT Student Grows Clinical Skills and Cultural Understanding in Belize

Story by Kristin Hrasky

SLU PT Student Hannah Redden had Countless Learning Opportunities at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio

By Hannah Redden (Class of 2022)

I am so grateful for the clinical experience I had at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. This experience provided me with the opportunity to evaluate and treat a wide variety of patients from the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU), Orthopedics, Critical Decision Unit (CDU), Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU), and Adult Behavioral Health Unit, as well as the opportunity to observe in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Outpatient Pediatrics. I enjoyed the quick-paced and versatile schedule of the inpatient setting. I am thankful for the skilled team of Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Nurses, and Physicians with whom I worked to develop appropriate treatment and discharge plans based on an individual patient's needs. I am thankful to all the patients I encountered who provided me with countless learning opportunities by allowing me to play an active role in their care.

To my Clinical Instructor, Aaron Willig, PT, DPT, thank you for your mentorship throughout this clinical experience. Your guidance allowed me to advance my clinical reasoning and physical therapy skills. I appreciate that you took the time to engage in conversations with me regarding our patient cases and intervention plans. Thank you for your continuous encouragement, your helpful feedback, and for trusting me to provide quality care to each patient we encountered. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from you and I will carry what you have taught me into my professional practice.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU PT Student Emily Gier is Thankful for the Positive Experience she had at Athletico in O'Fallon, Missouri

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Athletico O'Fallon-South, Missouri

By Emily Gier (Class of 2022)

I am so grateful for my experience at Athletico O’Fallon South with my Clinical Instructor and Alumni, Michaela Ward, PT, DPT, COMT. Every day I walked into a welcoming and positive learning environment in which I was able to grow in my skills as a clinician. Each day I was excited to take what I learned in the classroom over the past couple of years and apply it working with real patients.  The patients and other staff at the clinic were incredibly kind and welcoming and I enjoyed getting to build relationships with them over the course of my 10 weeks there. Over the course of my time at Athletico, I learned so much about various treatments and interventions. However, I would say the number one thing my CI taught me was the importance of building strong relationships with your patients. It was clear how much each patient respected Michaela and enjoyed working with her in the clinic.

Michaela, Thank you so much for being such an amazing CI. You helped give me the confidence to exceed during my time at Athletico as well as on my future clinical experiences. Additionally, thank you for creating such a fun experience in which each day I was excited to come to the clinic.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Women’s Health Residency Program

Inaugural Women's Health Residents Dr. Brea Rhein and Dr. Alex Lanty

Saint Louis University (SLU) and SSM Health Physical Therapy are proud to announce that the SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Women’s Health Residency Program has moved from the development to the candidacy stage of accreditation with the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).   

Program Director Dr. Jill Imgarten

Program Coordinator Dr. Kayla Dougherty

Under the leadership of Dr. Jill Imgarten as the Program Director, Dr. Kayla Dougherty as the Program Coordinator, and Dr. Chris Sebelski as Director of Residency Education at the SLU Program in Physical Therapy, we have an extraordinary 16-month curriculum with numerous opportunities for the licensed physical therapist to develop as an advanced clinician and an educator, produce and disseminate a scholarly product and grow as a provider to the area's underserved populations.

Director of Residency Education Dr. Chris Sebelski

Current residents, Dr. Alex Lanty and Dr. Brea Rhein, are participating in individualized weekly mentoring,  didactic sessions in conjunction with the SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residents, independent study with the faculty of the Women’s Health Residency, teaching within the entry-level SLU DPT program, and scholarly product development. Their progress thus far has been outstanding.

SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Residents for the 2021-2022 Cohort from both residency programs:
Dr. Juan Paz, Dr. Brea Rhein, Dr. Alex Lanty, Dr. Shelby Wilson, and Dr. Benjamin Modde.

Our program highlights include:

• Direct 1:1 clinical mentoring
• Compensation (including benefits) for non-mentored hours of patient care
• Participation as a lab instructor in SLU's entry-level physical therapy program
• Small group classroom and skills instruction, facilitated discussion and journal club with other residencies in the Lou!
• Independent mentorship in specialty topics 
• Opportunities for clinic rounding, surgery observation and grand rounds with physicians

If you wish to learn more about the SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Residencies, please reach out to Dr. Jill Imgarten (jimgarten@ssm-select.com) OR Dr. Chris Sebelski (chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu).

SLU PT Student Emelia Baer had an Amazing Experience at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, Illinois

By Emelia Baer (Class of 2022)

Passavant was an absolutely amazing place to learn and grow as a physical therapist. The entire rehab team and my Clinical Instructor & SLU Alumni, Kayla Vickers, PT, DPT, were very kind and welcoming throughout my clinical experience. I also got the chance to work with such a wide variety of patients and conditions throughout my time. Thank you so much for helping me develop as a physical therapist! You were so amazing at increasing my knowledge, improving my clinical reasoning, and pushing me to grow in my confidence as I worked with patients. You embodied patient-centered care throughout your practice. You are a role model for exactly the type of PT I hope to be in the future!

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

Checking in with Dr. Joshua Munter, SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Graduate, on His Journey as a Traveling Physical Therapist

SLU SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Spotlight 

- Dr. Joshua Munter (Residency Graduate 2020-2021 cohort)

Dr. Joshua Munter earned his ABPTS Board Certification in 2021.  He has experienced much professional development over the past several months including becoming a traveling PT in the Northwest region of the United States.  When asked “What are you reading now?”  Dr. Munter highlighted the recent JOSPT publication:  “Diagnostic Accuracy of Clusters of Pain Provocation Tests for Detecting Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Systematic Review with Meta-analysis”.  JOSPT 51(9).   

Congratulations Josh on all of the events of the past several months – personal and professional!  

The SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program is an accelerated post-licensure program to advance the orthopedic skills of physical therapists. It is the only ABPTRFE accredited orthopedic physical therapy residency in Missouri. Founded and accredited in 2014-2015, this unique collaboration between Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy and SSM Health Physical Therapy currently has 3 Residents and has graduated 16 licensed physical therapists. In addition to clinical practice and teaching in the entry-level DPT program, each resident completes over 150 hours of mentoring and over 300 hours of educational experiences.

For more information on the program, visit https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/ssm-residency.php or contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Chris Sebelski at chris.sebelski@health.slu.edu.

Geriatrics Seminar Students Train Senior Service Center Staff on Strength Training Exercise Program

SLU DPT Student Field Experience - Geriatrics Seminar

Students in the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy participate in offsite experiences to enhance their knowledge and skills in various specialty physical therapy practice areas. The Geriatrics Seminar class recently traveled to Northside Youth and Senior Service Center for one of their off-site experiences. 

The mission of the Northside Youth And Senior Service Center, Inc. is to enhance the quality of life of clients by serving the basic needs of the elderly, children and families in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

The Geriatrics Seminar class trained staff to implement a strength training exercise program for community dwelling older adults. 

As a result of this ongoing partnership between the Program in Physical Therapy and Northside, the center is able to offer a Senior Fitness Program to its members, which includes a 45-minute fitness classes twice a week to work toward goals of preventing muscle loss and improving balance in seniors over the long term.

The Geriatrics Seminar is offered as an elective physical therapy course in the fall semester of the third year of the professional phase. It explores the causes of frailty in older adults and the financial burden in the U.S. of obtaining healthcare for this population. The course then explores services available to help frail older adults maximize their physical and psychosocial independence within the community and within institutions. The course consists of lectures, interviews, and site visits in the St. Louis area.

Photos submitted by Kelly Hawthorne, PT, DPT, GCS

Story by Kristin Hrasky

SLU PT Student Natalie Ruzevich had an Incredible Experience Learning about Women's and Men's Health at Cora Physical Therapy in Des Peres, MO

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Cora Physical Therapy - Des Peres, Missouri

By Natalie Ruzevich (Class of 2022)

I had an incredible clinical experience at Cora Physical Therapy! I was able to work with a variety of patients in the outpatient orthopedic setting. My Clinical Instructor, Ashely Williams, PT, DPT, also specializes in women's and men's health so it was very interesting to experience this physical therapy specialty. I learned new manual therapy techniques and became extremely confident in my ability to complete initial evaluations.

Thank you for being the best CI and friend! You challenge me daily to strive to become the best physical therapist, and I am so grateful for our time together. Thank you for always encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone and encouraging my growth as a student.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU PT Student Elizabeth Liese had an Enjoyable Clinical Experience at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas

By Elizabeth Liese (Class of 2022)

I absolutely loved every second of my clinical experience at Baptist Health. I was able to work with several different physical therapists on a variety of floors, including Joint Replacement/Orthopedic, Cardiac, Psychiatric, Stroke Unit, and all of the ICUs. I primarily treated patients on the Neuro floor within the Stroke Unit as well as patients in the ICUs. I was lucky to work with an absolutely incredible and fun team of medical professionals who took advantage of every opportunity to teach me new things. This clinical experience exposed me to a number of areas within medicine that were new to me such as observing swallow studies, treating patients after revascularization surgeries, working with LVADs, and evaluating and treating patients with a wide variety of neurological conditions, just to name a few. Every day at Baptist brought new experiences and presented countless learning opportunities. My Clinical Instructor, Kerrie Pickering, PT, MPT, along with the rest of the team, really taught me the value of personalized care that is dependent on each patient's specific needs as well as the value of advocating for our patients. I am grateful to have learned about such a wide variety of medical conditions and to have witnessed and taken part in the incredible progress made by some very medically complex patients. One of my favorite moments from this experience was when my CI and I assisted one of my patients in the ICU with standing for the first time after having a stroke and being ventilated; he even took a few steps after this. He started fist-pumping and gave me a huge smile as his wife cheered him on; it was a really heartwarming moment that reminded me why I chose to go to PT school. Moments like that will stay with me forever and motivate me as I begin my PT career! I formed many professional relationships with healthcare team members like RNs, Surgeons, Neurologists, PAs, PTAs, OTs, and SLPs and now appreciate the multi-disciplinary aspect of healthcare on a whole new level. All of these team members respected me as a person and as a student physical therapist and valued my professional opinions and I truly enjoyed working with them. Thank you, Baptist!

Thank you, Kerrie, for welcoming me to this hospital and for all of your patience with my many, MANY questions. You made this clinical experience feel like home and really helped me build my confidence and find my groove as a clinician. I truly appreciate how willing you were to let me jump right into treating patients; your trust in me as I began independently working with patients motivated me to put my best foot forward. Thank you for pushing me outside of my comfort zone and for challenging me to work with complex patients, even when I did not initially want to; I learned more than I ever imagined I would. You facilitated my growth as a student physical therapist and helped me learn to trust myself and to rely on my skills and knowledge. Lastly, thanks for always keeping things light-hearted and fun between and while working with patients- there was never a dull moment between the movie quotes, singing, and dancing!

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

Physical Therapy Students in the DPT Class of 2027 Take a "Privilege Walk" Through Campus

A curricular highlight for the students of DPT 1111.  Dr. Ginge Kettenbach and Keri Davis guide the students through the “privilege walk”.   This activity leads participants through an activity that confronts the ways in which society privileges some individuals over others. It is designed for participants to reflect on the different areas in their lives where they have privilege as well as the areas where they do not.  The curriculum of DPT 1111 is part of the pilot programming of the Cura Personalis Sequence for the SLU Core Curriculum. 

Ginge Kettenbach, PT, Ph.D., FNAP

Dr. Ginge Kettenbach is an esteemed member of the Program in Physical Therapy with more than 25 years of experience at SLU.  For PT Month, we asked her “What is your favorite memory (thus far) of your career as a physical therapist?”  Dr. Kettenbach’s response: “The first time a patient who had a below the knee amputation stood with his prosthesis - his affect completely changed from quiet and moody to happy.  It was amazing.  Working with him was fun.”  In commenting on her years as an educator…” I have met so many students and learned that it is so important not to make assumptions.  It is important to just listen and see if there is a way to support a person.”

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy highlighting faculty and curriculum. The quality and diversity of our curriculum are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU PT Student Jisha Varughese is Grateful for the Relationship she built with her Clinical Instructors at SSM Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, Missouri

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - SSM Physical Therapy Creve Coeur, Missouri

By Jisha Varughese (Class of 2022)

My favorite thing about my clinical site was the relationship I was able to build with my clinical instructors, Linda Tackes, PT, Amanda Wengert, PT, DPT, and Kelsie Murek, PT, DPT, COMT, which increased my confidence when treating and building relationships with my patients. My clinical instructors always made sure I was comfortable and made me feel included and heard.

Thank you for the great memories, the various learning experiences that I wouldn't get anywhere else, and thank you for keeping in touch to this day!  

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU Physical Therapy Student Hannah Pierson Thanks her Clinical Instructors at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson MO

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Captial Region Medical Center

By Hannah Pierson (Class of 2022)

This past spring, I helped patients alongside my two clinical instructors, Lacey Hale, DPT & Alex Flanagin, DPT, in a hospital-based outpatient setting. Not only did I learn a tremendous amount about orthopedic injuries & conditions, but my clinical instructors also showed me how to genuinely connect with patients and assist them in their goals. I loved how each day; patients would pick up conversations with me & clinical instructors from their previous visit---it never seemed like time went by from being away. Throughout the rest of my PT career, I will hold these connections close and never forget to laugh & smile each day 😀

Thank you, Lacey & Alex, for welcoming me with open arms and for being wonderful mentors for me!  

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU PT Student Appreciates Leadership from Clinical Instructor in Engaging Opportunities at Mercy Hospital

SLU PT Clinical Site Spotlight - Mercy Hospital
By: Jacquelyn Cameli (DPT Class of 2022)

I am so thankful to have had my clinical experience at Mercy Hospital for Acute Care Physical Therapy, in Springfield, Missouri. I especially enjoyed the fast-paced schedule, as well as the diverse workday, variability, and unpredictability that occurred from day to day regarding my patient caseload in being that no two days were the same. I evaluated, educated, and treated patients on the Cardiac Floor, Emergency Department (ED), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Oncology Floor, Neurological Floor, COVID Step- Down Unit, Burn Unit, Orthopedic Floor, Gynecology Floor, as well as within Psychiatric Center. I enjoyed working with patients thoroughly, and problem-solving scenarios to ensure that patients were discharging safely and appropriately, as well as discussing different rehabilitation options (Inpatient Rehabilitation (IPR), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Home Health Physical Therapy, Outpatient Physical Therapy) when appropriate. I am very thankful for each patient interaction and to have been involved within their care. I am thankful for all of the health care professionals at Mercy Hospital that I crossed paths with including other Physical Therapists (PTs), Nurses, Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), Physical Therapy Assistances (PTAs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Speech Therapists (STs), Respiratory Therapists (RTs), Hospitalists, Surgeons, and Medical Doctors (MDs). 

Thank you to Rebecca Herron, PT, MPT, for being my clinical instructor! I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have had my clinical experience with you at Mercy Hospital and to have learned from you. I appreciate everything you have taught me to enhance my clinical knowledge and skills as a Student Physical Therapist. I appreciate the questions you asked me, and how you allowed me to discuss my plan of care and findings with you. I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to engage with patients and be involved with their care through performing tasks, treatments, and evaluations within the hospital. I have learned so much from you about Acute Care. I appreciate all the learning opportunities you coordinated for me at Mercy Hospital in being able to observe Surgeries at Mercy Orthopedic Hospital, as well as observing a Swallowing Study with Speech Therapy. I am thankful to have had your leadership throughout my clinical experience! I will continue to utilize everything you have taught me!

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy students featuring their clinical site and their clinical instructors. The number, quality, and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU PT Program.

SLU PT Alumna Brianne Ernst (DPT Class of 2014) shares the #ChoosePT experience that led her to physical therapy

#ChoosePT Spotlight - submitted by Brianne Ernst (Keller)

I was 10. I sat in the pediatric neurologist’s office as he ordered an MRI of my brain. A stroke or a brain tumor. Which was it? What did that mean? What was going to happen to me?

As I sat there a couple weeks later trying to wrap my head around the final diagnosis - an intrauterine stroke, a stroke before I was born - he wrote a script for physical therapy.

Physical therapy? I didn’t know it in that moment, but those two words would change my life. I met the most hardworking, compassionate, and motivational physical therapist. Dan stood by my side while I cried and struggled through the exercises and became outwardly frustrated more times than I would like to admit. I was not a good patient. But that didn’t stop him. He pushed me to do better. Over the next 10 years, with multiple wrist fractures, patellar dislocations, wrist surgery, and knee surgery, he was always there with a smile on his face.

He worked magic. He healed me. He helped me achieve the impossible. He is the reason I became a physical therapist. I want to help my patients achieve what they feel is impossible. And that is why, every day, I #ChoosePT.

-- 

Brianne Ernst, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT | Physical Therapist