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School of Health Professions

Results: 519 news stories

Emergency Health Sciences department supports SAFD paramedics and EMTs after their training

By Kate Hunger

The Department of Emergency Health Science provides paramedic and EMT training for San Antonio Fire Department firefighters, but the department continues to be involved in the safety and continuing educations of first responders long after their training has ended. 

The Sept. 6 report on KSAT focused on the impact of the opioid crisis on first responders and included an interview with David A. Miramontes, M.D., emergency health sciences assistant professor, and medical director of the San Antonio Fire Department. 


Physical Therapy professor starts rehabilitation research group

By Kate Hunger 

Sandeep Subramanian, Ph.D., BPTh, physical therapy assistant professor, is hoping to spark collaboration on rehabilitation research within the School of Health Professions as well as among the School, the wider community of the UT Health San Antonio and other research institutions.


Allied Health Week set for Nov. 4-11

By Kate Hunger 

Allied health professionals have a critical role in our health care system and provide comprehensive, patient-centered care to millions. 

The School of Health Professions will host events during Allied Health Week, which runs Nov. 4-11.

The week will kick off with a powder puff football game on Nov. 4, said MOT senior and class president Sarah Purcell, who also is president of the newly formed campus chapter of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions–Student Assembly.

National Allied Health Week

A 20th Century Health Care Innovation

Fifty years ago this month, the first class of three physician assistants graduated from Duke University. In the decades since then, the number of accredited institutions graduating PAs has grown to 226, with about 8,600 graduates each year. The PA program at UT Health San Antonio began in 2002.

PA 50 years

Occupational Therapy professor receives recognition from Morgan’s Wonderland

By Kate Hunger

From the time she was a child growing up in Brazil, Ana Allegretti, Ph.D., OTR, knew she wanted to be an occupational therapist. 

"I don't remember wanting to do anything else," she shared. "I always wanted to be an OT."

Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park

Occupational Therapy professor receives recognition from Morgan’s Wonderland

By Kate Hunger

From the time she was a child growing up in Brazil, Ana Allegretti, Ph.D., OTR, knew she wanted to be an occupational therapist. 

"I don't remember wanting to do anything else," she shared. "I always wanted to be an OT."

Morgan’s Wonderland

Ergonomics courses include OT assessments Dental students receive feedback on positioning in lab

By Kate Hunger 

Two occupational therapy faculty participated in a series of ergonomics courses for dental professionals designed to help dental students achieve good positioning while in clinical settings.

Kimatha Grice, OTD, OTR, CHT associate professor and Ricky Joseph, Ph.D., OTR associate professor participated in the August sessions organized by Juanita Lozano-Pineda, D.D.S., M.P.H,  associate dean for external affairs in the School of Dentistry.

OT Students

OT students and faculty participate in safe backpack wearing event

By Kate Hunger 

Did you know a student's backpack should weigh no more than 10 percent of his or her body weight? 

First-and-second-year Occupational Therapy students share those facts and more with parents and students at a back-to-school event at Palo Alto College on August 5 sponsored by State Sen. Carlos Uresti (Dist.19).

OT Students

Emergency Health Sciences graduates 50th SAFD paramedic class

By Kate Hunger

The Department of Emergency Health Sciences graduated 29 San Antonio Fire Department paramedic trainees on August 11, making the program's 50th graduating class. 

The City of San Antonio contracts with UT Health San Antonio to provide paramedic training to firefighters. The first class graduated in 1974.

Before paramedic training arrived in San Antonio, EMS services were minimal, with funeral homes sending employees in hearses or makeshift ambulances to emergency scenes, said Lance Villers, Ph. D., department chair. 


Speech Language Pathology program is a candidate for accreditation

By Kate Hunger 

The new Speech-Language Pathology program will welcome its first class of students in Spring 2018. 

The School of Health Professions received confirmation on August 22, that the program received candidacy for accreditation for a five-year period that began July 1, said Fang-Ling Lu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor and program director chair. 


Emergency Health Sciences faculty, graduates and students help in Harvey’s aftermath

By Kate Hunger 

Faculty, graduates and current students of the Department of Emergency Health Sciences jumped into action to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. 

Graduates of the EHS flight medic program deployed with National Guard units from many states, including Texas, New York, New Jersey, Arkansas, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi and Colorado, said Leslie Hernandez, M.A.Ed., NREMT-P, director of community education for EHS. 

EHS Faculty

Respiratory care professor participates in accreditation process of only bachelor’s Respiratory Therapy program in Costa Rica

Unknown ObjectBy Kate Hunger 

The only bachelor's program for respiratory therapy in Costa Rica was evaluated for accreditation this summer and a UT Health San Antonio School of Health Professions professors participated in the process. 


Physical Therapy professor has served as a Texas delegate to PT profession’s policy-making body for more than a decade

By Kate Hunger 

Although the annual meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association's House of Delegates was not a particularly meaty on in terms of policy making, it did result in the election of a Texan to the executive board of the APTA.

"That was exciting," said Michael Geelhoed, D.P.T., OCS, MTC, associate professor and director of clinical education, of the election of Dr. Rupal Patel, PT of Texas Woman's University, to APTA's nominating committee. "We don't usually have Texans running for national office," he said.


Project aims to gauge impact of continuing education on healthcare providers caring for ALS patients

By Kate Hunger 

Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the Rio Grande Valley currently travel several hours each way to reach clinics with health care professionals trained to provide the support they need. 


Project Hispaniola includes physical therapy students for the first time

By Kate Hunger 

Five physical therapy students and two faculty members traveled to the Dominican Republic in late May to offer mobile health clinics for sugar cane plantation laborers who lack regular access to health care. 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy student appreciates the support that scholarship provides

By Kate Hunger

Pauline Castro is soaking up every minute as a third-year physical therapy student, finding daily opportunities to learn from mistakes and grow. 

When asked what she is focusing on in her final year, Castro doesn't hesitate. 

"Building upon my skills, confidence, and learning to accept whatever mistakes I make in the clinic and learning to be better from them," she said. "Every day is a learning experience."

Pauline Castro

School of Health Professions students to gain a new tool for learning anatomy

By Kate Hunger 

School of Health Professions students will soon have a new tool for learning anatomy available around the clock — the Anatomage Table. 

Training on the Anatomage Table was held on June 22. 

Paul Allen, Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor and chair of the physician assistant studies department, said the table will be an adjunctive tool to anatomy education and will not replace specimen dissection. 

Anatomage Table

Occupational Therapy professor and students help fit wheelchairs at Morgan's Inspiration Island

By Kate Hunger 

Wheelchair users visiting the new accessible splash park at Morgan's Inspirational Island are able to enjoy water activities without fear of damaging their own equipment, thanks to specially designed waterproof wheelchairs available for use by the guest. 


Fang-Ling Lu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP named director of new speech-language pathology program

By Kate Hunger

The School of Health Professions welcomed the director of its new Master Science in Speech-Language Pathology program on June 1.

Fang-ling Lu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, comes to the UT Health San Antonio School of Health Professions from the University of North Texas, where she joined the faculty in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in 1997. While at UNT, Dr. Lu served as director of graduate studies for 12 years cumulatively. 

Fang-ling Lu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Physician Assistant Program welcomes new Medical Director

Unknown ObjectBy Kate Hunger 

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies welcomed Allen C. Whitford, D.O., PA as the new medical director for the program

"Dr. Whitford is cross-appointed in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and the Department of Emergency Medicine," said Paul Allen, Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor, program director and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Allen C. Whitford, D.O., PA

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