News and events
Whether we are announcing changes in programs or informing you about our students and alumni in the community, we want you to stay current with our department. Bookmark this page for the latest departmental updates.
VCU has won second place in the Pittsburgh – Marquette Challenge, to raise money for the Foundation for Physical Therapy!
VCU raised a total of $14,288.18 in this year's Challenge. The grand total will be announced at the Foundation's Legacy Gala at the Tampa Marriott Waterside in Tampa, FL on Thursday, June 7. Students will be recognized during APTA's Honors & Awards Celebration that begins at 6:00pm in the Florida Ballroom, followed by the joint APTA/Foundation Reception immediately following the Celebration. Doors open to the Gala, to be held in the Grand Ballroom, at 7:15pm. The annual gala gives the leadership of the profession the opportunity to recognize students for their commitment to research and the future of their profession. Student fundraising through the Challenge enables the Foundation to provide research grants and doctoral scholarships that would not be possible without the support of schools like VCU. Thank you, Tom, for encouraging your students to participate in the Challenge! Dianne Jewell, PT, PhD, was the inspirational mentor that guided the students through the organization of the fundraising events that included continuing education and the annual golf tournament.
Back to topOver Winter Break, a group of 15 second-year VCU physical therapy students and 1 nursing student from Piedmont Valley traveled to Costa Rica to provide therapy services.
Over Winter Break, a group of 15 second-year VCU physical therapy students and 1 nursing student from Piedmont Valley traveled to Costa Rica to provide therapy services. The group worked in an out-patient clinic in Tucurrique and a nursing home facility in Cartago. During the 14 day trip, the students assisted over 100 patients, donated supplies including PT supplies, toys and clothing and made a financial donation to the nursing home.
Back to top10 VCU Physical Therapy alumni were newly certified as Specialists at CSM 2012.
Congratulations to the Newly certified specialists (VCU alumni)-
Leslie (Caronan) Prom (2004) - NCS
Lori Blair (1988) - OCS
Meredith Ehn (2003) - OCS
Amy Fagan (2005) - OCS
Bryan Gilreath (2003) - OCS
Matt Harwood (2008) - OCS
Rebecca Irby (2005) -OCS
Karen (Baalim) Rein (1997) - OCS
Stephanie Toothaker (married name) (2006) - OCS
Marie Potter (2006) - SCS
Reunion weekend 2011 was a success with the first Lifetime Achievement Award given to Doris Estelle, PT, class of 1947
Usually, more than 1200 MCV Campus alumni return to Richmond in April every year to celebrate reunion milestones. This year, the Physical Therapy Department is celebrating 80 years of Excellence in Education since its first accreditation in December, 1931. There will be campus tours, including the old surgical amphitheater (snake pit) in South hospital, the current physical therapy department in West hospital, a canal cruise, and garden tour. A continuing education course will be offered on Saturday morning, taught by Deydre Teyhan, PhD, PT, OCS. On Saturday night, beginning at 5:30 pm, a buffet dinner and cash bar will allow us all to celebrate and enjoy good company.The book, "Evolution of Physical Therapy at MCV and VCU" will be available at the reunion to thank you for a donation of $80 to the PT scholarship.
Back to topDepartment golf tournament raised more than $8000 to benefit the Foundation for Physical Therapy
The 2011 VCU Department of Physical Therapy golf tournament will be held at Hunting Hawk Golf Course in New Kent, Va. on Friday, April 15, 2011. This is a student run event with everyone getting goodies at registration and participating in raffles.
This tournament is part of an annual nationwide competition among physical therapy students to raise money for the Foundation for Physical Therapy, the principle funding agency for physical therapy research. Schools that raise the highest amounts are recognized each year at the American Physical Therapy Association's Annual Meeting. VCU has been recognized every year we have participated.
VCU was recognized at APTA's PT2011 in National Harbor, MD with the Foundation's Merit Award for raising $6,000.00 or more for this year's Pittsburgh-Marquette Challenge. Student volunteers raised $8,621.00 through the 6th annual VCU PT Golf Tournament at Hunting Hawk Golf Course on April 15, 2011. Dan Syrett, SPT '12 and Stephen Vesely, SPT '13 (pictured with Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Bill Boissonault, PT, DPT, DHSc) served as the event coordinators. VCU's total contribution is $43, 312 since we started participating in 2004.
80th Anniversary party will be held at the 2011 American Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference at National Harbor, MD.
There will be party on the evening of June 10, 2011, sponsored by the Medical College of Virginia Alumni Association and the VCU Department of Physical Therapy. Come by and celebrate with a buffet dinner and drinks!
Back to topCurrent student wins the Orthopedic Section Student PT award at the 2010 combined sections meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association
Tom McPoil, ViP of the Orthopedic Section presented Stephanie Lynch (3rd year student) with the APTA Orthopedic Section student PT award at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting on February 11, 2011, in New Orleans. Dr. Lori Michener (left) is a leader in the orthopedic section as well as a member of the VCU faculty.
Back to topProspective DPT Student Open House
The VCU Department of Physical Therapy will now be offering two open houses a month for prospective students. The purpose of these sessions is to answer questions about the DPT program and the admissions process. Prior to scheduling a session, please take a look at our information regarding the DPT program and our admissions process at DPT program. The Open Houses will be held on alternate Mondays or Fridays and will consist of an information session with the department chair or admissions chair and a tour of the department. Please call the department for dates and times and to schedule an appointment.
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