By Matt Criswell
Two students in Fresno State’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program were honored last week at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Las Vegas where construction plans for a new physical therapy facility on campus were also announced.
The CSM, a national conference hosting more than 10,000 physical therapy professionals, attracts people every year looking to network with fellow physical therapists and see what is new in the profession.
The department also hosted a reception where Dr. Peggy Trueblood, chair of the physical therapy program at Fresno State, unveiled plans for an additional 12,000 square-foot facility for the physical therapy program.
The new building will be located south of the Aquatics Center and west of the North Gym. It is slated to include two large labs and state-of-the-art equipment.
The new project is set to begin in March with construction estimated to be completed in June 2015.
“This is one of the best conferences for physical therapists because of the caliber of continuing education,” Trueblood said.
Fresno State was well-represented at the conference. Seven Fresno State students from the program were able to present their current research.
National conferences serve as an opportunity to promote the university’s physical therapy department and receive recognition for individual work, Trueblood said.
“Every one of our full-time faculty were not only present, but had at least one podium and/or poster presentation,” Trueblood said.
Dr. Jenna Sawdon-Bea was nominated for a poster award by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Orthopaedic Section.
“As clinical researchers, we like to think what we’re studying [and] examining is meaningful and valued,” she said. “To be nominated for a national award in recognition of our efforts is extremely gratifying.”
Most of the students participating in the doctoral program were able to attend the conference, network with professional physical therapists and present their research.
Amandeep Gill and Rosalie Avila, both in their second year in the program, received the “Best Abstract Award for a Professional Student,” given by the APTA Neurology Section.
“My colleague and I were stunned and excited when presented with the award,” Gill said. “We are thankful to all those who have supported our research.”
“It was an honor to win the Best Student Abstract Award for the neurology section for research I have been working on for the past year-and-a-half,” Avila said.
Both Gill and Avila received a $500 travel grant from the Division of Graduate Studies.
“These students are in their second year of the three-year program and have already accomplished so much, I have no doubt they will be true leaders in our profession upon graduation,” Trueblood said.