Doctor of Physical Therapy
Student News
Many of our graduate students are engaged in cutting edge research around the university. Two graduate students, Joseph Sugden and Michael Kasimier, both in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, are currently working under Dr. Charles Thigpen in order to examine the effects of treatment and prevention for baseball-related shoulder injuries. This project, which is funded through Brooks Rehabilitation Clinic, is being used as a catalyst to classify the signs and symptoms of shoulder-related injuries so that in the near future, physical therapists can design a classification system that would enable the correct diagnosis and treatment of sports-related shoulder injuries. Though not required as a part of the DPT program, Sugden and Kasimier volunteered to become involved in research in order to further their academic experience and understanding of their field.
Additionally, Dr. Thigpen has just recently begun another research project that will examine the arm motion of young baseball players in order to predict the prevalence of arm injuries related to baseball. Dr. Thigpen has four graduate students, Brittny Olinger, Adam Lutz, Phillip Galloway, and Rachel Osteroff who have joined his research team that works in conjunction with Shands Hospital in order to conduct this longitudinal study. This research strives to benefit youth baseball players by accurately diagnosing and treating their sports-related injuries.
Dr. Rose Marie Rine has taken on four physical therapy graduate students to assist in her pediatric inner ear research. One of Dr. Rine's students, Rebekah Davis, is getting more than she had hoped or expected for at UNF. Rebekah is gaining valuable experience in an area that she is passionate about. In the classroom, she is learning a great deal about the field of physical therapy through her interactions with her classmates and professors. However, she is gaining real-world experience, such as pediatric testing procedures and the opportunity to work with children and their parents through Dr. Rine's research project. Physical therapy graduate students, Krista Philsinger and Melissa Kim are also working with Dr. Rine and are excited to be working in projects that help children suffering from inner ear problems. The opportunity to participate in research projects, such as Dr. Rine's, allows these graduate students to experience the process of a research study that will prove to be very beneficial to their education and future careers.
The DPT program is rapidly growing and many graduate students are taking advantage of gaining real-world experience by participating in research projects at UNF. These graduate students are engaged in research experiences which enrich their education and provide them with the skills and tools that will be needed once they obtain their degrees. The extra exposure to research practices will enable them to stand out from the crowd when they join the work force and community.