Congratulations to USF Health SPTRS DPT 2018 students, Ciara Hall and Kelsey Ulliman, as they have been selected as scholars in the USF MS STEP UP (Multiple Sclerosis Standardized Training and Education) Program. The Scholars, who were appointed in May 2016, will receive a scholarship provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Mid Florida Chapter and will participate in the MS STEP UP program over the 2016-2017 academic year. The scholarships support additional coursework, faculty mentoring, community service with the NMSS, observation in MS clinics, and physical therapy clinical experiences with people who have MS.

The MS STEP UP program was developed to address the scarcity of Physical Therapists with advanced training in the unique assessment and treatment of MS. The program aims to prepare DPT students with advanced knowledge, training and experience related to MS. USF Health SPTRS was selected as the first pilot university to undertake this scholarship and educational program, modeled after the original program developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

SPTRS faculty member Jeannie Stephenson, PT, MS, NCS and Stephanie Walgamott, a National MS Society representative, coordinate the program along with a team of USF faculty, MS specialists and interested community members. These individuals have collaborated to develop the program over the past five years.