YSU Physical Therapy students and faculty attend Ohio Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference

Students and faculty from Youngstown State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program attended the Ohio Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference on March 28-29 in Columbus. The conference featured educational sessions, poster presentations and networking opportunities with 22 students and faculty members Erin Shilling, Ken Learman and Cathy Bieber Parrott representing YSU.

The YSU DPT program was recognized for its commitment to the APTA Core Value of Social Responsibility, reflecting its dedication to community engagement and service. The program integrates social responsibility through various community-focused initiatives, including:

• Pro Bono Clinic (Penguin PT): Providing free physical therapy services to underserved individuals.
• Walk With a Doc Program: Encouraging community members to stay active with guided walks led by health professionals.
• Falls Prevention Course: Offering weekly strength and balance training at no cost for older adults at risk for falls.
• Parkinson’s Disease Exercise Class: A free fitness program designed to support individuals with Parkinson’s.
• Geriatrics Course Outreach: Students visit assisted living facilities to conduct fall-risk screenings and general health assessments.
• Student research and implementation, such as:
  • Research on barriers to exercise in adults with disabilities in the community through a survey where they addressed needs and barriers, and plan to make fitness facilities in Youngstown more accessible for adults with disabilities.
  • A food pop-up where students raised awareness about health-related issues like nutrition and regular physical activity in addition to blood pressure screening and CPR training.

Damian Keter, a Ph.D. graduate of YSU’s Health Sciences program, was honored at the conference with the 2024 Outstanding Physical Therapist Award. He currently works at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Parma, Ohio, and serves as a guest lecturer for YSU’s DPT program.

Olivia Donadee, second-year DPT student and class president, emphasized the benefits of attending the conference. “This is my second year going and it's a very rewarding experience," said Donadee. "It was a formal conference, but as a student I felt welcome talking to everyone and like I could contact any of them if I wanted anything or had questions down the road."