School of Health Professions

Results: 484 news stories

Mandell School of Health Professions PhD student research showcase: a celebration of student scholarship and research

 

The Mandell School of Health Professions PhD Student Research Showcase will be held April 5–6, 2024.

This annual one-day conference brings together students and faculty advisors and mentors from all tracks and years of the Health Sciences PhD program. The conference offers a unique forum for PhD students to present their research before a panel of judges, faculty and student colleagues and attendees and to network and collaborate with other students across the cohorts.


Physical therapy faculty present at national meeting

 

Department of Physical Therapy faculty presented research on topics ranging from communication barriers when providing therapy to Afghan refugees to depression after traumatic brain injury at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting 2024, held in Boston in February. 

The faculty’s participation at the meeting included:

 

PT faculty pose at APTA CMS Meeting 2024

Shoe drive benefits Alpha Home residents

 

After volunteering at a recent pro bono clinic, physical therapy students recognized a need for shoes among those served by Alpha Home, a local nonprofit that supports residential addiction recovery treatment for women.

A good pair of shoes makes all the difference in rehabilitating a lower-extremity injury, said Julie Barnett, PT, DPT, MTC, an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions. 

PT students pose with shoes donated to Alpha Home.

Respiratory Care first-year students slip into white coats for the first time

 

Donning her white coat was a moment to savor for first-year Respiratory Care Master of Science student Brianna Guerin.

“The whole purpose of the white coat ceremony is to celebrate us moving from the didactic setting to the clinical setting. A lot of people got more emotional than we thought it would be,” said Guerin, vice-president of the Class of 2025. “This is a big turning point for us.”

Respiratory Care Class of 2025 poses at white coat ceremony

PA department chair selected for a 2024 Presidential Excellence Award

 

Teaching future physician assistants is something Paul B. Allen Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, FAAPA, associate professor and program director and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, plans to do for as long as possible.

That commitment is reflected in Allen’s selection as one of the recipients of the 2024 Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence–Sustained.

Paul B. Allen, Sr., PA Studies associate professor, program director and chair

Faculty members present at UT Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference

 

Three School of Health Professions faculty members shared research presentations at The University of Texas System Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education 2024 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference held in Austin on Feb. 22–23.

Assistant Professor Angela Benfield discusses her poster at The University of Texas System Kenneth I. Shine Academy 2024 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference

Annual Respiratory Care Symposium to be held on campus March 14–15

 

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio Department of Respiratory Care will host its 29th Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, Innovate to Elevate: Shaping the Future, on March 14–15.

The event, including program speakers and vendors, will be held in the Academic Learning and Teaching Center on the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Campus. Twelve continuing education units can be earned at the symposium, including one unit of human trafficking and two units of ethics. 

Respiratory care student and faculty member look at mechanical ventilator.

Miramontes receives 2023 EMS Medical Director Award

 

David Miramontes, MD, FACEP, FAEMS NREMT-P, medical director for the San Antonio Fire Department, received the 2023 EMS Medical Director Award at the Texas EMS Conference from the Texas Department of State Health Services in November.

Miramontes, associate professor/clinical in the Department of Emergency Health Sciences and the Department of Emergency Medicine, has served as medical director since 2014. He said his motivation comes from the patients requiring emergency, prehospital care.

EMS Medical Director David Miramontes receives 2023 EMS Medical Director Award

PT Chair Greg Ernst retires

 

Associate Professor Greg Ernst, PT, PhD, ECS, has retired as chair of the Department of Physical Therapy after 17 years of service to the School of Health Professions.

Ernst joined the faculty in 2006, after a 24-year career as an active duty U.S. Army and U.S. Navy physical therapist. While in the military, Ernst practiced, taught and held various leadership roles, including serving as consultant to the Navy surgeon general.

Greg Ernst, PT, PhD, ECS, recently retired as chair of the Department of Physical Therapy

A look at Department of Occupational Therapy faculty activities in 2023

Department of Occupational Therapy 2023 Faculty Highlights 


Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2023 marks commencement

 

The 48 members of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2023 graduated on Dec. 8.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2023 Commencement

Inaugural class of medical imaging students receives white coats

 

In a year of firsts, the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program held its first white coat ceremony for its inaugural cohort of students on Dec. 13.

MS in Imaging Sciences students pose with faculty members after receiving their white coats.

Let the games return: Students from across the school hold Allied Health Games for first time since pandemic

 

School of Health Professions students kicked off National Allied Health Week by reviving the Allied Health Games, a fun tradition that had been on hiatus for several years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Nov. 4, students from across the school participated in the games, including a sand volleyball tournament, tug of war, wheelbarrow racing and a team relay race. Teams were awarded points for having the best team spirit, being the best dressed teams and winning events. 

Students pose with Allied Health Games trophy

PT professor’s research aims to determine whether a combination of exercise and virtual reality games can reduce fall risk among people with Parkinson’s disease

 

People with Parkinson’s disease face a greater risk of falls because the progressive neurological disorder impairs their balance as their levels of dopamine decrease. The resulting fear of falling can lead to reduced activity and isolation.

PT Assistant Professor Anjali Sivaramakrishnan

Meet Vanessa Flores, director of clinical education for the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program

 

Assistant Professor/Clinical Vanessa Flores, MEd, RT(R)(ARRT), director of clinical education for the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program, once dreamed of being a professional photographer.

While Flores ultimately decided to become a radiologic technologist, she found a way to adapt her passion for creating images within the context of a career in health care.

Master of Imaging Sciences Director of Clinical Education Vanessa Flores

Communication Sciences and Disorders chair inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions at annual conference

 

Associate Professor Fang-Ling Lu, PhD, CCC-SLP, FASAHP, was inducted as a fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions at its annual conference in October. 

Communication Sciences and Disorders Chair and Associate Professor Fang-Ling Lu holds her Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions plaque, with ASAHP President Deb Larsen.

Thriving Together: Respiratory care virtual symposium offered Nov. 2–3

 

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Division of Respiratory Care is hosting a virtual symposium Nov. 2–3.

Twelve continuing education credits are available at the event, including one hour each on the topics of ethics and human trafficking.

Respiratory care facult and students in lab

Meet Anthony Mendoza, Jr: Respiratory Care Alum Pursues PA Dream

 

Students in the Division of Respiratory Care at UT Health San Antonio learn how to be valuable, contributing members of the health care team. Some of our respiratory care alumni go on to pursue other health professions. Take a moment to learn more about Anthony Mendoza, Jr., who graduated from our Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program in 2021 and started our Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in May 2022.

Why did you choose UT Health San Antonio?

Anthony Mendoza

School of Health Professions faculty and students receive awards, present at annual state conference

 

School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society for the Advancement of Health Professions at its 45th annual conference in September.

Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program fellow joins Department of Occupational Therapy faculty

 

Michael Bermudez, EdD, OTR, sees occupational therapy as a means for social justice for people with disabilities. His tools? Circuit boards, code and 3D printers, to name a few.

This July, Bermudez brought his research interest in assistive technology to The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy as an assistant professor. 

Assistant Professor Michael Bermudez, EdD