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School of Health Professions
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Associate Dean for Research receives RO1 funding to study the influence of social determinants of health in rehabilitation outcomes pre- and post-COVID-19
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Research Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, a professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, has secured more than $1.5 million in RO1 grant funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to support his research on the effect of social determinants of health on rehabilitation outcomes before and after COVID-19 in the United States.
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.
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.
A look at Department of Occupational Therapy faculty activities in 2023
Department of Occupational Therapy 2023 Faculty Highlights
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.
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.
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.
SHP programs provide screenings and health and wellness info at Spurs Back to School Bash
Students and faculty from five programs in the School of Health Professions participated in the Spurs Give Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.
Several thousand children and adults attended the free community event, which included backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, eye exams, dental screenings, and a variety of other activities and services from community organizations and vendors participating in the event.
OT professor serves on board of Project MEND
Associate Professor Ana Allegretti, PhD, OTR, ATP, was elected in May to serve on the board of directors of Project MEND, a nonprofit that provides refurbished medical equipment to people in San Antonio and Texas.
The organization’s mission is closely aligned with Allegretti’s expertise and research related to adaptive equipment. Allegretti presented two training sessions at Project MEND over the summer on the wheelchair service delivery process and wheelchair classification and characteristics.
OT chair is president-elect of Shine Academy
Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, has been elected president-elect of The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education.
Piernik-Yoder, who served as chair of the academy’s education committee for the past two years, will begin her two-year term in March 2024.
School hosts first-ever career fair for health professions students
The School of Health Professions held its first-ever career fair on April 27, bringing dozens of employers to campus to meet with students.
The school’s graduates are sought after by employers, said Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, FASAHP.
“The School of Health Professions educates a student population which is in high demand from local hospital and clinical settings,” Henzi said. “It was great to have many of those partners in attendance for the first School of Health Professions career fair.”
Health professions students inducted into Alpha Eta Society
For Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Elise Gray, being inducted into the Alpha Eta Society with 37 other students represents the value of teamwork among the health professions.
“The induction ceremony signifies not just our individual accomplishments but also our commitment to the interdisciplinary teamwork that is at the heart of optimal patient care,” Gray said.
Students travel to Colombia and India over spring break
School of Health Professions students traveled overseas during spring break to learn about health professions education and professional practice in Colombia and India.
Three students from UT Health San Antonio, including two from the School of Health Professions and one from the School of Nursing, traveled to Bogota, Colombia, in March. They were accompanied by Division of Respiratory Care Professor Ruben Restrepo, MD, RRT, FAARC, FCCP, and Department of Physician Assistant Studies Assistant Professor and Associate Clinical Coordinator Leticia Bland, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C.
Student wins American Occupational Therapy Foundation scholarship
Second-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Kathryn Hiles has won the Charles Christiansen and Beth Jones Endowed Scholarship from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation.
“These are extremely competitive awards, and it is truly testament to Kathryn's impactful leadership and contributions to the program, university and community to be selected as a 2023 recipient,” said Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR. The scholarship award is just over $1,400.
SHP President’s Council gains tools for a lifetime of leadership
First-year students on the School of Health Professions Presidents Council attended a new program designed to help them develop leadership and communication skills that will apply during their time at UT Health San Antonio and beyond.
Free community health fair to offer screening, testing and healthy living information
All members of the community are invited to a health fair that will be hosted on April 1 by UT Health San Antonio’s School of Health Professions.
The health fair will provide an opportunity for people to undergo a variety of screening tests and receive important health information, said event organizer Terri Murphy-Sanchez, MS, MLS: CSMLS, ASCPCM, assistant professor and program director in the Division of Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Occupational therapy professor joins Leadership Women Texas
Department of Occupational Therapy Professor and Chair Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is a member of the Leadership Women Texas 2023 cohort.
The leadership program includes women leaders across a variety of industries and aligns with her professional and personal priorities, Piernik-Yoder said.
Two pilot studies will gauge impact of interventions on neuroplasticity and hip-fracture surgery outcomes in older adults
UT Health San Antonio researchers will be launching two pilot studies to learn whether specific interventions help older adults build stronger neural pathways and recover better from hip fracture surgery.
The two separate pilot studies each received a $50,000 grant from the San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.
Does blood-flow restriction exercise boost neuroplasticity?
Meet OT department’s two newest faculty members
The Department of Occupational Therapy recently welcomed two new faculty members.
Associate Professor Chinyu Wu, PhD, OTR, and Assistant Professor Angela Benfield, PhD, OTR, joined the department in August. Each brings research interests that will add to the department, said Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgette Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA.
UT Health San Antonio, associate dean receive awards at ASAHP conference
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, was inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) at its annual conference in October.
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