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PHYSICAL THERAPY
program out of 211 nationwide
Division of Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy Program was fully re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education until 2020. The Division of Physical Therapy received 382 applicants and 64 students matriculated into the program in May 2012. The average GPA for students entering the program is 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Among the 2012 graduating class, five were Interprofessional Fellows and four were Presidential Scholars. The current pass-rate on the National Physical Therapist Examination is 98%. The Division had five students presenting at national conferences and three students publishing original research through three articles in peer-reviewed journals. Students provided over 2,000 volunteer hours for individuals with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-polio, and adult developmental disabilities.
Continuing Education The Division of Physical Therapy offers an annual course series in orthopaedic manual physical therapy, through which licensed physical therapists must complete the course sequence and assignments, and pass written and practical examinations for certification in manual orthopedic physical therapy. This program has drawn participants from five states, and as far away as from Ohio.
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Research In the area of research, Dr. Jesse Dean was awarded a second year for an NIH grant involving the use of an exoskeleton to facilitate gait in neurologically impaired individuals. Dr. David Morrisette’s study on the effect of different types of back supports for the management of lower back pain was presented at the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Faculty of the division published 16 research manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and had 18 peer-reviewed presentations.
Faculty Accomplishments Dr. Gretchen Seif, PT was elected the President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (SCAPTA) and assumed office in April, 2012. Dr. Debora Brown, PT continues to serve on the Nominating Committee of SCAPTA and Dr. Holly Wise, PT is the Chair of this committee. Dr. David Morrisette was elected as the Representative at Large for the Education Section of the APTA, and serves on the practice affairs committee for the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA. Drs. Kraft and Seif initiated the relocation of the MUSC CARES Physical Therapy clinic from the East Cooper location to the MUSC campus. The CARES clinic now offers Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy interprofessional rehabilitation services to underfunded or unfunded patients. n
PT student working with a volunteer at a Polio Clinic
The Division offered a 2-day course on musculoskeletal examination and management for the shoulder and knee, instructed by Dr. Terry Malone, PT, that was offered at a reduced cost for the clinical instructors for the program. Over 50 clinical instructors participated traveling from as far away as Texas and Virginia to attend. College of Health Professions MUSC