The Monday Memo

September 17, 2012                                                                                       PITT DPT STUDENTS

Collaboration at its Finest

Over the past week, the doctor of physical therapy students at the University of Pittsburgh have embraced the principals of collaboration. Last weekend we teamed up with the Occupational Therapy graduate students to promote Inter-professional bonding. The 1st Annual PT/OT Social took place at Schenley Park where lots of food, drinks, dancing and games served to build stronger relationships both within and outside of Forbes Tower. To commence the weekly PT Rounds held every Friday, Dr. Tony Delitto discussed the important role collaboration amongst various healthcare providers will play in helping our medical system solve the increasingly limited supply meet the increasingly growing demand within the United States.

In Delitto We Trust

However, before we go searching for ways to strengthen inter-professional relationships, perhaps the best long- and short-term approach for physical therapy would be to promote intra-professional unity. The faculty and 2^nd year DPT students welcomed Dr. Beth Fisher all the way from the University of Southern California for a couple of guest lectures in Musculoskeletal III and Neuromuscular PT II. She was absolutely fantastic in her instruction and approach regarding movement analysis. Dr. Fisher also generously agreed to stay in Pittsburgh an extra day to teach a Continuing Education Course held by the Pitt-Marquette Challenge representatives to support their efforts. Dr. Chad Cook from Walsh University, who also donated his weekend for the benefit of his course attendees and the Foundation for PT, drew a very large crowd resulting in a substantial amount of money raised.

Though learning from others and raising money for research is fantastic, the most exciting part of this week might have been the collaborative example set by the faculty of the highly esteemed programs. Our ability to unite the profession today will ensure we have a bright future regardless of the direction our healthcare system. It starts with the current students in every program across the country.

Social Media Updates

• Unite Physical Therapy Students – If you haven’t yet, please check out the “Doctor of Physical Therapy Students” Facebook page. Over 2,700 students have already joined!
• Our own page! Pitt Physical Therapy, thanks to the Social Media Team, has create an official PittPT Facebook page!
• #SolvePT (meets on Twitter from 9-10pm EST) Topic of the Week: Implementing Successful Strategies to Practice Act Threats

Mark Your Calendars!

(2nd year students – also check the Calendar) Please keep checking this calendar for upcoming deadlines, syllabus changes and events!

• Tuesday, Sept. 18 - Human Growth and Development II - Please dress in business casual for our guest speaker
• Tuesday, Sept. 18 - Leadership and Professional Development II - Case Study due; submit via CourseWeb
• Tuesday, Sept. 18 – Neuromuscular PT II – Group A (1 – 3pm) and Group B (3 – 5pm)
• Friday, Sept. 21 - Neuromuscular PT II – Homework #3 due at 8:00am
• Friday, Sept. 21 – PT Rounds – Last half of alphabet

Extras!

• October 27 - Pumpkin Picking! Should be about ~$10. More details to come!
• November 2 – 4 – National Student Conclave! Register here by Oct. 10 for the best rates! Also, people have begun buddying up for hotel rooms! Please refer to an earlier e-mail from the PTGSA regarding cost. It’s been estimated that the PTGSA will be able to reimburse up to $150 per person! Keep those receipts!