The Tampa Bay Business Journal recently highlighted the University of South Florida School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences for receiving a $1.59 million dollar award for musculoskeletal research. To read more about this media coverage, please click here.      

Studies target reducing low back injury and improving prosthetics for military Tampa, FL (Sept. 22, 2011) — The University of South Florida School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences has received a $1.59-million U.S. Department of Defense award for leading-edge musculoskeletal research intended to benefit active duty soldiers and veterans and improve military preparedness. The award will fund two major studies – one investigating whether a specific exercise training regimen may protect against low back injury in combat soldiers and the second evaluating the best prosthetic foot to accommodate soldiers […]

As USF celebrated its first day of the fall semester, USF Health welcomed the first 53-strong charter class in its brand new College of Pharmacy. Earlier this month, the College of Medicine saw the largest class ever begin, with 19 additional students in the SELECT program. Ashley Connelly (left) from Tampa, and Jameica Dunscomb from the Bahamas are both entering students in the College of Nursing. USF Health First Day Highlights College of Pharmacy: Charter Class Charter class includes 53 students (68% female, 32% male, and 53% Caucasian, 46% minority […]

M. Jason Highsmith, DPT, assistant professor of the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, has been invited to deliver the Brian Blatchford lecture at the 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Prosthetists and Orthotists (ISPO). The meeting is in London, England, in October. Dr. Jason Highsmith Dr. Highsmith’s presentation will be based on a literature review he and a team of investigators published in 2010 in the journal Prosthetics and Orthotics International to determine efficacy of the Otto Bock C-Leg prosthetic knee for persons with […]

USF Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences works with Tampa Fire Rescue to test an exercise routine that may protect the stressed backs of firefighters Karl and Kristopher Wolf are firefighters who’ve always enjoyed a little friendly father-son competition. Now they’re harnessing that competitive drive as participants in a University of South Florida study examining how an exercise regimen targeting the back may help Tampa firefighters. Firefighters must quickly move from relatively sedentary duties in the station to extremely demanding tasks – like strapping on 50 pounds of protective gear, hauling […]

Her success in bridging the needs of those with autism with the physical therapy profession has earned Ana C. Mieres, MSPT, PhD, the Dr. Cathy Pratt Autism Professional of the Year Award from the Autism Society of America (ASA). Dr. Mieres, assistant professor in the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, has worked for nearly 15 years with autism as a consultant, educator and volunteer, and providing multilingual guidance to families affected with autism. “In the many years I have known, worked with and been mentored by Dr. […]

USF students from the International Health Services Collaborative (IHSC) recently returned from an intensive weeklong service project in the community of Villas del Carmen, Panama. The IHSC team of 21 students from the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences worked together to develop sustainable health projects in underserved communities of Panama. In order to improve the sustainability of the project, the IHSC partnered with the Panamanian Ministry of Health. Dr. Aleyda Tejeira and Dr. Angel Alonzo, the Regional Directors of […]

USF physical therapy researchers study amputees’ golf swings with the goal of advancing prosthetic design Loi Ho prepares for her drive. Ho, whose limb loss is congenital, is a championship rock climber and says she sees similarities with golf, including core balance. Loi Ho had never swung a golf club before. John Scarfi is a long-time golfer. Their commonality isn’t the game of golf. It’s an artificial leg. The two were among 16 amputees who took part in a golf workshop last week that not only gave them tips for […]

The new distance-learning degree will help meet the educational needs of physical therapists across Florida In an effort to meet the growing educational needs of practicing Florida physical therapists and enhance the provision of patient care for Florida’s growing population of retirees and wounded veterans, the USF College of Medicine’s School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPTRS) will begin offering a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. Called the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, or tDPT, the new program allows currently licensed and resident Florida physical therapists […]

About 30 kids from the Camp No Limits program enjoyed a day at the beach Nov. 6 when faculty and students from the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPTRS) hosted them at Sand Key Park on Clearwater Beach. Jason Kahle (green USF shirt) and Journey help lead a walk on the beach with Camp No Limits participants. Camp No Limits (www.nolimitsfoundation.org) is a national non-profit camp that brings together children with limb loss between the ages of 3 and 17, parents and siblings to participate in activities, fellowship […]