Congratulations to USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science DPT 2019 students, Chloe Moreno and David Kroger, who have been selected as scholars in the USF MS STEP UP (Multiple Sclerosis Standardized Training and Education) Program. They were selected in May 2017 by the MS STEP UP Leadership Team and will receive a scholarship provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Mid Florida Chapter. The new MS Scholars will participate in the MS STEP UP program over the 2017-2018 academic year. The scholarship will support additional coursework, faculty mentoring, community service, observation in MS clinics, and physical therapy clinical experiences with people with 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 people with MS. The program aims to prepare DPT students with advanced knowledge, training and experience related to multiple sclerosis. 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, Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, NCS and a National MS Society representative, coordinate the program along with a team including USF faculty, MS specialists and community members. These individuals have collaborated to develop the program over the past six years.