2024 Combined Sections Meeting
In February I had the privilege of attending the 2024 APTA CSM. This years CSM was in Boston, MA for 3 days. I attended 3 sessions a day learning about the newest research or about topics that I wanted a deeper knowledge of beyond what I learned in school. In between sessions, I attended the exhibit hall where I had the opportunity to explorer new technology, talk to APTA legislators, and continuing education businesses as well as attend poster sessions. It was a weekend full of learning and getting inspired from hearing from all the incredible speakers. I cannot wait to go back and get more involved with the APTA.
Inservice: Navigating Anterior Interosseous vs DIP OA
During my first rotation I was able to complete an inservice that I presented to all the PTs from both locations of the clinic I was at. This inservice was completed over 7 weeks and presented on my 8th week at my rotation. The presentation lasted an hour and included questions and feedback at the end. I was able to do a deep dive on one of my first patient’s as a student with an uncommon diagnosis. It was beneficial to be able to take time and incorporate research to help figure out how to best help this patient. It was great completing this inservice with the help of my CI as well as being able to have discussions with my professor and clinic owner, Dr. Meynard Enriquez. The inservice can be viewed here: HSBC Inservice
HPU DPT Mentoring Program
While at HPU, I had the privilege of serving as the Aloha Committee Co-Chair. As part of this position, myself and committee co-chair created a mentoring program for the DPT program. We knew how beneficial it would have been to our cohort to have mentors and someone we could turn to for advice, motivation, and even reassurance when stressed, so this program was something we were passionate about creating. We matched mentees and mentors based off of region and if they moved for the program or commuted. I was able to have 2 mentees and have loved getting to know them and be able to help them navigate the beginning of PT school and even still now as they continue throughout the program. I also had the opportunity to lead and plan a portion of orientation for the new cohort and got to meet my mentees in person!
Reflux Handout
During my second clinical rotation was when I attended CSM. During CSM I attended a session on reflux in the pediatric population. As my rotation at the time was in pediatrics I found the information I learned in the session at CSM beneficial. I created a handout based off what I learned and presented it to the OTs, SLPs, and other PTs at the clinic. They were then given a copy to be able to use as a resource to provide to patients. This allowed me a chance to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and hear thoughts that they had on the subject. This also provided insight at just how connected our treatments are for our patients, so reinforced for me that interprofessional collaboration is key! This handout can be viewed here: Reflux Handout
PT Interviews
When I was earning my degree in dance, I was dancing more and working harder than I had ever worked before. But I kept noticing how many of my peers were getting injured. I began thinking – despite the fact that we were pushing our bodies everyday, we were not taking care of them, and beyond that, we were really not even educated on how to take care of ourselves or how to physically recover. I decided I wanted to do something about this.
For my senior thesis, I interviewed several dance specific physical therapists and asked them to share their advice and their favorite recovery tips so that they could help my classmates or students in other dance programs. I also knew I was about to start physical therapy school so I asked these and other non-dance specific PTs to share the advice that they think all physical therapy students or new physical therapists should know. You can listen to these interviews here: Dance Interviews
Kenny-Z-Ology 