UAB SHP Snapshots: Impressions of Alumni Excellence - Spring 2017

DEVELOPING LEADERS ISSUE

SNAPSHOTS

UAB School of Health Professions • Impressions of Alumni Excellence • Spring 2017 Newsletter

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LEADERSHIP FEATURE

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Impressions of SHP Alumni Excellence • Spring 2017 This semester

170+ alumni have given

SHP students immeasurable guidance and invaluable advice as preceptors,

clinicians and mentors.

Linda Neighbors (PT, 1985) mentoring students Justin Kirk and Rachel Sedlacek (Class of 2018) in the PT Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction course.

Developing Leaders We firmly believe leadership is a learned skill. Sure someone can be a natural leader, but to become a truly remarkable leader takes years of development.

For our alumni, this usually begins with a clinical rotation or a residency and it ends with – well, let’s face it, it never ends.

Our alumni have learned that being a leader means you are always learning – from yourself and from others, from your mistakes and your successes and from those we mentee and those who mentor.

This edition of Snapshots is dedicated to our alumni: learners, teachers and leaders – today, tomorrow and forever.

From orientation to performance, to evaluation, they understand a legacy goes beyond sharing what you have earned, the best legacy includes

sharing what you have

learned.

JOIN OUR GLOBAL CONVERSATION ON YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET. /uabshp

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/uab_shp

UAB School of Health Professions

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/uabshp

Go. Give. Serve.

Your SHP education is the foundation that built your future. Today, the place that helped build your future offers many ways for you to help build others’ futures.

GET INVOLVED

GIVE BACK

SERVE OTHERS

APR 7-8: PA 50th Anniversary Celebration

ONLINE: uab.edu/shp/give

HOST Breakfast with Blazers

MAY 5: NMT reception at

PHONE: Answer the call

from a student in the Annual Giving Office or call us at 205-996-5469

GIVE a guest lecture

ASNM annual meeting

MAY 17: PA reception at

BECOME a preceptor or

clinical instructor

AAPA conference

MAIL: Send a check

BE a mentor

JUNE 3: LVR reception

ESTATE: Leave a legacy with

a planned gift

WRITE welcome notes to incoming students

MATCH: Ask your employer

PARTICIPATE in one of our

AUG 9-11: National

Symposium for Healthcare Executives

many service opportunities and make an impact

to match your gift

See all upcoming events.

Visit our event page: uab.edu/shpevents

Get involved today!

Contact Amanda Sherman: asherman@uab.edu

Make a difference!

Contact Katie Adams: katiedav@uab.edu

DON’T MISS OUT: update your contact info at uab.edu/shp/alumni to receive alumni news & more.

Growing Success In the spirit of spring time, we celebrate the vital role our alumni play in the growth and success of our students and our school.

PLANT

NURTURE

GROW

GIVE BACK

Students begin as seedlings growing roots and absorbing knowledge.

Faculty, alumni & mentors educate and guide them, facilitating growth.

Residencies & Internships provide the experience necessary to thrive.

Alumni succeed in the field and give back to SHP growing future leaders.

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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ALUMNI RECOGNITION

Alumni Excellence Our alumni are recognized leaders who we can say gave their all to others.

And in one case, giving their all includes an organ.

Jason Alexander (MSHA Class 28) named Birmingham ministry market executive and president, and CEO by Ascension Healthcare.

His first day was April 3, 2017.

Ashley Cannon (GC, 2015) has been accepted to the prestigious Francis S. Collins Scholars Program for her work as a genetic counselor and a neuroscientist.

Divyank Saini (MT, 2010) went from working on UAB’s worldrecord kidney chain, to being a part of the chain when he donated a kidney to a stranger. “I see the painful process of dialysis, so I wanted to help at least one person,”said Saini.

Carolyn Da Silva (DScPT, 2008) won the Texas Physical Therapy Association’s Outstanding Physical Therapy Faculty Award for 2016. Da Silva is a professor at Texas Woman’s University.

Tom Hunt (DSc in Admin-Health Services Class of 2014) Distinguished Alumni Award Jordan Voigt (MSHA Class 45) Young Alumni Achievement Award Rachel Ashcraft (OT Class of 2010) Alumni Service Award

Michael Matthews (PhD in Admin-Health Services, 2003) earns top teaching honor at Winthrop University taking home the Kinard Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Cheri Nipp (LVR, 2012) named to national task force to clearly define best practices in implementation of programs that serve older individuals who are blind.

Chuck Stokes (MSHA Class 17) and Kate Willis (MSHA Class 48) played key roles for Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award winner Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. Stokes is EVP/COO of the Health System, Willis is Director of Service Line Operations at Sugar Land Hospital.

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS: Tell us about your honors & achievements. shpalumni@uab.edu • 205-975-8415.

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ALUMNI RECOGNITION

Network of Knowledge You, our SHP alumni, are part of a vast network of knowledge. Every year we hold events designed to let you share and learn from SHP leaders around the globe.

HIMSS Networking Luncheon

Breakfast with Blazers

Beyond the H

Andrew Dees (HCM, 2014 and MSHA/MSHI student), Reginald Sennie (MSHA Class 43; MSHI, 2009), Evita Payton (MSHA/MSHI student) in Orlando.

Bert Gavin (PA, 1974) shared great stories about the profession with students from the PA Class of 2018.

Bob Zasa (MSHA Class 8) created our inaugural Ambulatory Care and Non-Acute Care Summit, Beyond the H.

APTA CSM Networking Reception More than 60 PT alumni, friends and students from across the country gathered at our networking reception at Casa Rio in San Antonio.

2016 PA Graduation and Awards Convocation Bill Parker (PA, 1971) recently established the program’s first endowed scholarship and spoke at the Class of 2016’s award ceremony, about giving back.

Junior Advisory Board Retreat

Marilyn R. Gossman Lectureship

OT Speaker Series

Dominique Forte (DPT, 2015), Dhara Shah (DPT, 2015), Michael Luke Stanley (DPT, 2009), Tana Lieb (DPT, 2009) meet with current DPT students.

Carolyn Sherer (PT, 1984), Russ Hyde (PT, 1992) and Elizabeth Cypher (PT, 1982) at Gossman Endowed Lectureship.

Leslie Simms (OT, 2006), Edith Lukawbe (founder of Home of Hope orphanage) and Jenny Taylor (OT, 2006; LVR, 2007) spoke with OT students.

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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LEADERSHIP FEATURE

Hands-On Leadership Health care is hands-on and so are our best leaders. The ability to guide, not dictate, and assist, not control, separates SHP alumni from the rest.

L/R STANDING: Howard Holcomb, USA Health (MSHA Class 19); Liz Kirby, USA Health (MSHA Class 43); Casey Daniel, USA Mitchell

Cancer Institute (PhD in Health Education & Promotion); Philip Meador, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute (MSHA Class 46); Alice Johnson, USA Health (MSHA Class 43) L/R SEATED: Sam Dean, USA Medical Center (MSHA Class 39); Becky Tate, USA Physicians Group (MSHA Class 12); Owen Bailey, USA Health (MSHA Class 12); Chris Jett, USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital (MSHA Class 42); Ashton Creel Hennig, USA Resident (MSHA Class 50); Thad Phillips, USA Health (MSHA Class 33; MSHI, 2003)

USA Health

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here are as many as 10 of our alumni in leadership roles in various areas of USA Health in Mobile. They range from soon to be retiring Physicians Group CEO Becky Tate (MSHA Class 12) to

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Children’s & Women’s Hospital Administrator Chris Jett (MSHA Class 42) to newly named USA Health CEO Owen Bailey (MSHA Class 22).

“There is just a synergy in how

UAB develops students and how USA develops leaders that works well together,” said Bailey. “We have UAB graduates that span four decades, from MSHA Class 12 to MSHA Class 50, as well as

LEADERSHIP

team members who have been promoted at USA for decades – the longevity of each are a testament to the program’s lasting excellence and our health system’s commitment to excellence.”

USA Health is home to a multigenerational UAB group with a singular family feel. And just like your typical family, when a new offspring enters the world, their UAB ‘siblings’ step up to make sure they are taken care of, to make sure they are nourished with knowledge and to make sure those that are in a seedling stage of their work career grow to their full potential.

“Almost everyone that I work with has been through the residency process and knows what it is like to be a resident. Many of them have taken a special interest in me to ensure I have a great residency,” said Ashton Hennig (MSHA Class 50), administrative resident, USA Health. “All four of our top administrators are UAB grads as well as three out of four of our assistant administrators. I don’t think I would be able to do what I do without the many UAB connections at USA.” And then there is the commitment and connection to each other. They have walked the same halls and they have had some of the same professors

(yes, every MSHA graduate at USA has had at least one lecture from Professor Emeritus Howard Houser, PhD).

“My strongest network of healthcare leaders started while I was in the MSHA/MBA dual program,” said Sam Dean (MSHA Class 39), hospital administrator, USA Medical Center. “The program encourages networking among all UAB grads and those relationships lead to the highest quality of mentoring and development in the years following your completion of the program.”

The early UAB connections last entire careers because of the depth to which they are developed in a sapling stage of knowledge and education. Each cohort spends its first two years together in classes, in meetings, in study groups, in social settings and more. It develops a long-lasting bond built on a strong foundation.

“Great students and great faculty lead to a great program where the relationships developed through the cohort type environment lead to immediate network connections that only grow over time,” said Thad Phillips (MSHA Class 33; MSHI, 2003), assistant chief HIPAA compliance officer, USA Health.

Not only do the connections grow over time, but so grows

the learned knowledge. It grows within the person and it grows within the network, as the new knowledge learned becomes the new knowledge shared.

“Most of us in hospitals are facing the same challenges and often we are all trying to find a solution that someone else has already figured out so there is no reason to ‘reinvent the wheel,’” said Alice Johnson (MSHA Class 43), assistant administrator, USA Health Ancillary Services. “There have been dozens and dozens of times that I have reached out to a UAB connection for help with a certain issue or just to find out how they do something that may help us improve. Copying best practices is a better use of everyone’s time and building on one another’s successes allows all of us to make ourselves better.”

By making themselves better they make the health system better. By making the health system better they make health care better. By making health care better they make their patients better. By making their patients better they make their world better. And in turn, they make our world better.

Ambitious USA leaders connected by viable UAB networks cultivate organic outcomes that strengthen everyone within their landscape. ●

“There is just a synergy in how UAB develops students and how USA develops leaders that works well together.”

— OWEN BAILEY

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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Child’sPlay Therapy Center

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n 2007, Kerri Bailey (OT, 1985) began Child’sPlay Therapy Center with her friend Deborah Boswell. What began as two rooms of occupational therapy care in Boswell’s Alabama Speech Services business has grown today to include three full-size locations, on-location care in school systems, early intervention clinics and community clinics.

Child’sPlay employs 15 UAB OT and PT graduates and frequently has UAB students shadowing or working in clinical rotations.

“We have a student in one of our facilities almost daily," Bailey said, "allowing students to shadow and train in our facility is part of giving back to the profession. We were all students at one point in time and without the investment in us by

others, none of us would be where we are today.”

Rachel Ashcraft (OT, 2011) and Susan Jones (OT, 2004), two therapists currently practicing at Child’sPlay, are perfect examples of the culture. When they first met, Rachel was observing in an adult rehabilitation clinic and Susan was Rachel’s supervisor.

Susan eventually transitioned to pediatrics and today, Rachel serves as Susan’s mentor at Child’sPlay.

This story, along with many others, is testament to Child’sPlay and the culture developed by Bailey: UAB graduates committing their time, talent and treasure to supporting each other, the UAB network and the future leaders in the field of occupational therapy. ●

“We have a student in one of our facilities almost daily, allowing students to shadow and train in our facility is part of giving back to the profession. We were all students at one point in time and without the investment in us by others, none of us would be where we are today.”

— KERRI BAILEY

CHILD’SPLAY’S CULTURE IS CLEAR: ◗ Treatment for patients is client-centered Each patient receives an individualized case plan

◗ Education is an ongoing process Learn from one another and seek additional educational opportunities

◗ Training the future generations is a priority

FRONT ROW L/R: Kerri Bailey (OT, 1985) and Susan Jones (OT, 2004) BACK ROW L/R:

Keisha Patterson (OT, 2004), Brooke White (OT, 1991) and Rachel Ashcraft (OT, 2011)

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Learning comes full circle – by training students, practicing therapists learn too

LEADERSHIP

EW Motion Therapy

FRONT ROW L/R: Leigh Ellen Cowart (PT, 2016); Caroline Faught (PE, 2015: KIN); Mike James (PE, 2008); Becca Lee (PT, 2014); and Hilary Young (PT, 2016) BACK ROW L/R: Aaron Sherrill (PT, 2016); Stacey Gresham (PT, 2009); Katherine Stone (PT, 2009); Ally Edwards (PT,

2014); Ethan White (PT, 1993); Mike Eskridge (PT 1992: EDU 1989); Stacey Cole (PE, 2011); Allison Schmidt (PT, 2013: BME, 2010); Chris Pierson (PT, 2016); and Kendell Jno-Finn (PT, 2007)

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he E (Mike Eskridge, PT, 1992) in EW Motion Therapy is a UAB PT alumnus. So is the W (Ethan White (PT, 1993). So are 13 other PTs, two PTAs and three members of the company’s fitness staff.

“For us, UAB PT is a slam-dunk, we know we are getting quality students and alumni who are prepared and perform well,” said Jon Delk (PT, 1999), COO, EW Motion Therapy.

A close look at the EW Motion

Therapy mission reveals it is designed to help clients and team members through continuing education and professional development. “There is an emphasis on education at EW because we want our therapists to be the best – to never stop learning,” said Delk, a team member since 2001.

Whether the EW Motion Therapy team sees the next generation as students during a clinical rotation or as alumni

when they are colleagues, they will always be there for them and their continuing education.

“The foundation of the UAB PT program and the leadership are strong,” said Kendell Jno-Finn (PT, 2007), chief development officer and director, EW Motion Therapy – Trussville. “The faculty have steered the program in the right direction and have instilled a philosophy of excellence in students that continues long after graduation.” ●

“There is an emphasis on education at EW because we want our therapists to be the best – to never stop learning.” — JON DELK

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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North Mississippi Medical Center

FRONT ROW L/R: Liz Dawson (EMSHA Class 36) and Kim Tutor (EMSHA Class 42) SECOND ROW L/R: Rob Rogers (EMSHA Class 47); Ellen Friloux (MSHA Class 21); Philip

Raper (EMSHA Class 43); French Forbes (MSHA Class 50); T.J. Adams (EMSHA 45); Alison Allen Gilbert (MSHA Class 50); and Gerald Kimbrough (EMSHA 48)

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orth Mississippi Medical Center has a long history of hiring and developing UAB SHP graduates and identifying high potential employees to become UAB SHP graduates. As a clinical rotation site for our PT students, a residency site for our MSHA students and an organization that supports employees through our Executive Master’s in Health Administration program – NMMC showcases their commitment to developing leaders and improving healthcare. Across our School, their reputation precedes them.

“I chose NMMC for my

residency because of the culture of the organization,” said French Forbes (MSHA Class 50). “The employees are committed to bettering the lives of patients and the tenure of their careers within the organization is inspiring.

Many alumni have been here for 15+ years.”

As a clinical rotation site for our Physical Therapy program and a rotation site for our MSHA program, NMMC often has multiple students from both programs simultaneously on-site for training. Dr. Tara Pearce, UAB PT Faculty, sites this as an important component for learning.

“NMMC allows multiple students to complete their clinical education experiences during the same time frame, which allows students the opportunity to problem solve with a familiar friend, have someone to explore the community with during breaks from clinic, and support them during change,” said Pearce.

David Wilson (MSHA Class 23), currently leads the organization as president.

Wilson and his predecessors, including Chuck Stokes (MSHA Class 17), are known for investing in their employees to enable them to grow professionally. They have long seen this as a way to better serve the needs of their patients.

“North Mississippi excels at succession planning and training employees to grow to accomplish both their professional goals and the organization’s goals,” says Kim Tutor (EMSHA Class 42).

NMMC’s commitment to training and developing the next generation of leaders from UAB is evidenced throughout their daily work. Their commitment to lifelong learning is at the heart of the organization and what UAB SHP encourages students and graduates to pursue. ●

“Working with UAB to bridge the gap between real-world and classroom learning experiences has enabled our team to be stronger and grow.”

— DAVID WILSON

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LEADERSHIP

Pack Health

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ack Health was founded in 2013 by Mazi Rasulnia (PhD Admin-Health Services, 2006) as an alternative to the trend of healthcare via an App. “Technology is there to leverage help, but it won’t get a person to change,” said Rasulnia. “The one thing we know that works is personto-person interaction – empathy.”

That is why the core of Pack Health is a team of health advisors (think financial advisors for your health) that provide personal service to people with chronic conditions. This core group of advisors – probably 90 percent millennials – is made up of a majority of fellow UAB alumni.

“There is no shortage of really talented people here in Birmingham, especially coming out of UAB,“ said Rasulnia.

He says they always look to UAB grads first because alumni with a

master’s in the healthcare realm come in well trained and with the disposition to succeed.

“Part of it is the personality we are finding at UAB,” said Rasulnia. “UAB alumni are people persons who connect quickly, which is the centerpiece to all of Pack Health. If you can genuinely connect with people then you can understand their true needs and once you know their needs, you can help them reach their health goals.“ “When most health providers are having to decrease their time with patients due to volume and expectations, we are building a special bond with our members and that is what’s missing in health care,” said Rasulnia. “It is not a stretch to say this part of our team has the most meaningful job in our company because they are not only helping our

"UAB alumni are people persons who connect quickly, which is the centerpiece to all of Pack Health. If you can genuinely connect with people then you can understand their true needs and once you know their needs, you can help them reach their health goals.“ — MAZI RASULNIA

members, but they are witnessing the positive results as they happen.” ●

WHAT DEFINES UAB ALUMNI: ◗ Attitude – positive attitude without blame ◗ Communication– able to engage through technology

◗ Hope – belief they can have an influence in outcomes

◗ Empathy – placing selves in others’ shoes and feeling for them L/R: Mazi Rasulnia (PhD Admin-Health Services, 2006) and Uma Srivastava, (Biotechnology, 2013)

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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HCA Continental Division/HealthONE

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ospital Corporation of America (HCA) – Continental Division/HealthONE is led by Sylvia Young (MSHA Class 19), a 32-year veteran of the organization. HCA, like UAB SHP, believes in developing leaders that will shape the future of health care. Under Young’s leadership, the division has taken residents from the MSHA program, supported employees, including UAB SHP alumni, through the company’s leadership development program and invested time and resources in keeping talent to ensure a strong leadership pipeline.

UAB MSHA alums are currently running some of the largest hospitals in the division including Swedish Medical Center, which is led by Richard Hammett (MSHA Class 27), CEO, and Ryan Simpson (MSHA Class 31), COO. Both Hammett and Simpson have served as mentors to residents during their time at the organization and after.

“The UAB family in HealthONE

has been instrumental to my career development. The opportunity to work alongside UAB alumni has been invaluable.

Ryan Simpson was my preceptor during my administrative residency and continues to act as my mentor to this day,” said Leslie Butts (MSHA Class 49).

When asked why Young believes in connecting with UAB HSA graduates, she said: I believe my education at UAB had a significant, positive impact in my career advancement, being a division president for HCA. I find the students we recruit as residents to be incredibly talented, well rounded and personable. We look for the full package: excellence in building relationships, high work ethic, results oriented. The students are able to interact with executives, managers, and staff with poise and confidence. Several senior leaders are working within my division who are fellow UAB graduates, and we are committed to bringing the

“We look for the full package: excellence in building relationships, high work ethic, results oriented. The students are able to interact with executives, managers, and staff with poise and confidence.”

— SYLVIA YOUNG

South to the West.

The commitment to UAB continues for both Young and HCA-Continental Division/ HealthOne as Young’s daughter, Taylor Young, will be a student in the MSHA program starting in 2017 and three MSHA Class 51 students head to the division for residencies this summer. ●

L/R: Richard Hammett (MSHA Class 27); Carolyn Myers (MSHA Class 48); Leslie Butts (MSHA Class 49); Sylvia Young (MSHA Class 19) and

Ryan Simpson (MSHA Class 31)

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LEADERSHIP

Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center

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aren Kendrick (LVR, 2011) is a visionary. When she realized the options for collaboration and information sharing were scarce for low vision students and practitioners, she decided to change that. So Kendrick created a network that allows low vision specialists and students to share ideas and strategies, collaborate on projects and more.

When she realized that hardly any Low Vision practitioners accepted entry-level OT students, she decided to change that. The Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center, where she has worked since 2004, is in Wichita, Kansas – more than 800 miles away from Birmingham. However, she regularly accepts entry-level OT students from UAB. “UAB is unique in the OT world because students spend an entire semester learning about low vision rehabilitation,” said Kendrick, who is primary occupational therapist for Envision. “Most universities do not dedicate this time so I find UAB OT students are better prepared for work in low vision rehabilitation.”

Beth Barstow, Ph.D., OTR/L, SCLV, FAOTA, is an associate

professor in UAB’s Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation program and coeditor of “Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults with Low Vision”.

Just like Kendrick, she has long been a teacher of and advocate for students in the low vision field.

So it was natural for the two to continue working together after Kendrick’s graduation.

“Karen has worked with us to determine a foundational skill set that we teach all our students and she continues to enhance

their skill set in the clinical experience,” said Barstow. “When our students complete level II fieldwork with Karen, they are prepared to meet the needs of the aging population by providing this fieldwork experience.”

In addition to her clinic work, Kendrick is part of a research team with Wichita State University called Falling LinKS (Falling Less in Kansas). Most recently they created a fall reduction toolkit with Kendrick serving as author and lead in the vision section of the Falling LinKS toolkit. ●

“UAB is unique in the OT world because students spend an entire semester learning about low vision rehabilitation, most universities do not dedicate this time.” — K AREN KENDRICK

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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TherapySouth

L/R: Alan Spooner (PT, 1999); Robert Ehsan (UAB Men’s Basketball Head Coach); and Steve

Foster (PT, 1980)

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n the early 1990s, Alan Spooner, DPT (PT, 1999) spent a couple years at UAB causing people pain as a linebacker for the football team. Today, Spooner is still a member of a team loaded with Blazers – the TherapySouth team, which is home to more than 30 UAB alumni.

“You could easily say physical therapy is a team sport and that there is a team culture permeating across TherapySouth,” said Spooner,

service director, TherapySouth Fultondale/Gardendale. “If a problem requires more thought or more assistance then we bring in the teammate who is best suited to help us reach our team goal.”

And like all dynasty teams, TherapySouth has strong leadership at the top and often cultivates and develops its own talent. In 2010, Steve Foster (PT, 1980), founder of TherapySouth, along with Ron Richardson (PT, 1974), established a sponsored

scholarship that annually provides a most deserving Doctor of Physical Therapy student with funds to help support them during the final phase of the program. In addition to financial need, scholarship winners are chosen based on leadership qualities shown by the student in the PT program and in their community.

“Since the beginning, TherapySouth has worked hard to provide practical learning opportunities for younger physical therapists in our clinics, so the scholarship was a natural extension of our mission to help develop the next generation of PTs,” said Foster.

Since 2006, when TherapySouth was established, they have opened their doors to more than 180 students and that will continue in the future because of the quality of PT talent developed at UAB. “Overall, I know that if we have a UAB student or alum on our team, then they already understand how to work together and they understand that together we have better ideas, better solutions and better results,” said Spooner. ●

“Since the beginning, TherapySouth has worked hard to provide practical learning opportunities for younger physical therapists in our clinics, the scholarship was a natural extension of our mission to help develop the next generation of PTs." — STEVE FOSTER

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LEADERSHIP

Champion Partners in Rehab

ABOVE Champion Rehab East Glen Therapy

Team Halloween

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hampion Partners in Rehab is one of the largest contract therapy companies in Alabama, providing comprehensive rehabilitation (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology) to patients in a variety of settings across the state.

The company, co-founded in 1999

by Myra Bolton Scott (OT, 1984), started as a handful of committed professionals and has now grown to more than 500 employees including Stacey Rhodes (OT, 2002), who leads as the Corporate Director of Operations.

When asked to describe the culture at Champion both Bolton Scott and Rhodes mentioned the same word – family. “When I think of Champion, I think of family,” said Rhodes. “I came to this organization over 12 years ago. I have felt this throughout my time here, both as a staff therapist and as I’ve grown within the company."

Bolton Scott, built the organization with a focus on people rather than policies.“Employees are the company’s strongest asset and it is extremely important for one’s greatest assets to be guarded and taken care of each day”, said Rhodes.

Champion collaborates closely with the UAB SHP family by offering clinical rotation and shadowing sites for OT and PT students and hiring both recent and seasoned graduates.

“When I think back on my time at UAB I think about how much the faculty truly cared about our education and success. I can tell it is still that way today.

UAB does a great job preparing students for clinical and field work experiences. They are hardworking, knowledgeable and receptive to feedback, ” said Bolton Scott.

Champion believes in doing the right thing, being fair and honest and promoting balance in areas of work, rest and play. We believe in making a difference in the lives of our patients, customers and employees. We are committed to excellence in patient care, successful business partnerships, and unmatched employee satisfaction. ●

“When I think back on my time at UAB I think about how much the faculty truly cared about our education and success.

I can tell it is still that way today. UAB does a great job preparing students for clinical and field work experiences.

They are hardworking, knowledgeable and receptive to feedback.”

— MYRA BOLTON SCOTT

"I feel grateful and very blessed to have trained at UAB because of the knowledge and research that the university brings to the forefront of the medical profession."

— STACEY RHODES

CHAMPION BELIEVES IN AND SUPPORTS: ◗ Spiritual & Personal Growth ◗ Family ◗ Service to Others

◗ Recruiting & Retaining Quality Rehab Professionals

◗ Complete Regulatory Compliance

◗ Developing & Nurturing Mutually Beneficial Partnerships

◗ Highest Ethical Standards of Practice

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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LEADERSHIP

HealthActions

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hysical Therapy alumna and HealthActions co-founder Beth Whitehead (PT, 1972) says what she learned back then at UAB, is what is still taught on campus today: your education does not end when you finish school.

“We maintain a learning environment that promotes ongoing mentorship as well as continued education opportunities in house and externally that promotes clinical skills, clinical reasoning and professionalism,” said Whitehead

who is an Ex-Officio member of the School of Health Professions’ Dean’s Advisory Board.

Over the years HealthActions has welcomed a slew of PT alumni as employees and PT students for clinicals in their clinics. That tradition continues today as they have five UAB alumni on staff working at various locations across southern Alabama.

To their credit, HealthActions is thriving in mostly rural settings, where disparities in health care are greater. Their clinics, located in Grove Hill, Jackson, Monroeville, Thomasville and Troy, are known in the community

for providing excellent results and known among PT students and young practitioners for providing excellent learning opportunities.

“When you are a member of a small community you are invested in the people because these are your friends and your neighbors so we invest a lot of time in preparing our students and young PTs to provide hands on patient centered care,” said Whitehead. “Plus, we like working with UAB graduates because they appreciate our treatment paradigm and they demonstrate the drive and initiative to become excellent clinicians.” ●

“We maintain a learning environment that promotes ongoing mentorship as well as continued education opportunities in house and externally that promotes clinical skills, clinical reasoning and professionalism.” — BETH WHITEHEAD

PT Solutions

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ounder and CEO of PT Solutions and 2016 UAB Excellence in Business winner, Dale Yake (PT, 1992) understands personal growth, professional development and exceeding expectations. He understands those three things do not live in the hearts of every physical therapist.

He also understands those three things are not taught in every physical therapy program.

“What I have found is UAB

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alumni generally have a want to advance their profession and not just themselves,” said Yake, who received the School of Health Professions’ Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014. “UAB PT alumni recognize real world perspective and their understanding of strengths and limitations is usually a breath of fresh air comparatively.”

Currently, PT Solutions has more than 20 UAB alumni working for the organization. They also provide multiple UAB PT students with clinical education opportunities each year.

“PT Solutions’ therapists carry on the culture with each new generation of additions and the UAB culture of pursuing your dreams and realistically understanding that that’s not a straight path of sustained inclination works well with our mission, vision and focus,” said Yake. “UAB PT develops students with a penchant of wanting more in life, more in practice and more in outcome; and from that wanting more, derives personal happiness.” and respond personally to it more effectively.” ●

ALUMNI IN ACTION

Share Your Voice Each of you have unique experiences and expertise that can help others be better.

We want you to connect back with alumni, faculty and students.

Breakfast with Blazers Chris Baker (DPT, 2014) shared his experiences entering the field with 17 DPT students at a Breakfast with Blazer event. He encouraged them to be lifelong learners not just for themselves but for most importantly, their patients.

DI Certificate Program Honors Day Alumni, students and clinical instructors applaud Rebecca Bradley (DI, 1981) for her commitment to supporting students as a professor emeritus, alumni and donor.

ACHE Networking Reception Gordon Ferguson (MSHA Class 18), Cindy Ferguson, Jim Decker (MSHA Class 11) at the ACHE Alumni Reception in Chicago.

This annual event allows alumni to connect with HSA faculty and students.

Nutrition – Best Me Training David Yates, SHP Dean’s Advisory Board Member, leads an interactive training activity with Nutrition Sciences students entering clinical fieldwork in childcare facilities.

Friday Night in the ER Charlie Prince (HQS, 2015) assists a team of students participating in "Friday Night at the ER" - an interactive, game-based learning session that educates them on how to make decisions in the ER.

SHP ALUMNI NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017

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During UAB Giving Days, May 11-12, 2017, the Campaign for UAB is asking us to share a memory of “That one time at UAB…” Well we know our alumni had more than just “one time at UAB” so we are asking you to

share your UAB SHP firsts...

FIRST MENTOR

FIRST INTERNSHIP

FIRST MENTEE

Who first guided you in your career? Tell us about the impact that connection had on your life.

What was your first experience in the field?

Describe how it felt to turn knowledge into practice.

When did you first realize your career had come full-circle? Share what it meant to be a leader or give back.

In this ever-changing healthcare landscape the need for guidance, knowledge and leadership is greater than ever. To share your experience with us, contact Amanda Martin at aebmartin@uab.edu.