Rehab Science Program Post

Transcription

1 Rehab Science Program Post Faculty Spotlight: Beth Minnigh April 2014 Volume 6, Issue 2 You may know Dr. Margaret Minnigh from the Rehabilitation Science course Pharmacology in Rehabilitation (REHSCI 1265), but her presence on campus is much more diverse than that! In addition to teaching for the Rehab Science Program, Dr. Minnigh is an Assistant Professor for Pitt s School of Pharmacy, where she lectures on topics in medicinal chemistry. She also teaches for Physical Therapy and Dental Medicine graduate students. About half of Dr. Minnigh s time on campus is spent in the Small Molecule Biomarker Core Laboratory (SMBC), which is part of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. The SMBC specializes in providing quantitative analysis of small molecules (such as hormones or various metabolites) in clinical samples. As part of the SMBC, Dr. Minnigh supervises and coordinates a variety of research projects. She is particularly excited about a current project investigating birth control use and HIV susceptibility in both Africa and Pittsburgh. Dr. Minnigh says that although sometimes she wants to pull her hair out, she definitely enjoys what she does because of the constant variety and challenge. In her (scarce) free time, you can likely find Dr. Minnigh accompanying her choir, doing needlework, or out on a walk. She also enjoys traveling, especially her yearly trips to Chautauqua Lake in New York to visit family. Dr. Minnigh and her husband have two sons of their own and are thrilled to be welcoming their first grandchild in June (it s a boy!). Congratulations on another successful school year from all of us in the Rehabilitation Science Program! We hope you have a GREAT summer! We know it s a well-deserved break! 1

2 Alumni Spotlight: Nicole Myers Nicole Myers, RS 05, has been intrigued with the anatomy and physiology of the human body since high school. It was the same fascinations that led her to the Rehabilitation Science Program, which she loved because of its big picture curriculum that taught her hands-on and practical knowledge. Nicole went on to pursue a medical career and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in She is currently in her third year of a Family Medicine Neuromuscular Medicine Residency at Florida Hospital East Orlando. After the long winters of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Nicole was ready for a change in scenery and absolutely loves Orlando, the program, and the residents. Nicole calls herself a definite theme park person and loves Disney and Harry Potter World. She also enjoys running, and just recently finished a half marathon at Disney World. Serving through Habitat for Humanity is also a favorite activity of Nicole s; she cites a trip to Uganda to build houses as a particularly noteworthy and enlightening experience. For current RS students, Nicole recommends finding and utilizing a mentor for your profession of interest. She says linking up with medical professionals has been very important in her career, and encourages others to do the same. 2

3 New & Prospective Students! Have you joined the Rehab Science Student Association yet? Purpose Congratulations Lauren Matevish, RS 14, for being named the recipient of the Emma W. Locke Award! The Emma W. Locke Award is presented annually to a Pitt graduating senior for recognition of high scholarship and character. Lauren was presented the award at the Honors Convocation on Friday, February 28 th, Lauren was also honored as one of six finalists for the prestigious Walter Byers Post Graduate Scholarship, a national award for Varsity athletes. Lauren is pursuing a double degree in rehabilitation science and psychology and plans to attend medical school after graduating. She is a member of Pitt s swim team and stays involved on campus through a variety of organizations. The goal of the RSSA is to provide a context in which members can partake in volunteer work, increase awareness of the rehabilitation science field, and become active community members, while in the process establishing cohesiveness within the group as a whole. As an active group member, one will have the opportunity to simultaneously learn from and educate fellow members. Our emphasis on volunteer work and community service expresses our desire to be of assistance to aspects of society within the rehabilitation focus and the surrounding community. Achieving this objective will prove beneficial to the community and the students involved. Questions? Contact RSSA President Autumn Puhac at amp178@pitt.edu Pitt Rehab Science r.com/pitt 3

4 Rehab Science Students in Action! Brendan, Danielle, and Emily discuss movements of the trunk and pelvis during different exercises in REHSCI Kinesiology and Biomechanics lab. Danielle and Emily are learning to take body measurements in REHSCI Advanced Health Assessments and Exercise Prescription Danielle is measuring the body fat of Christa in REHSCI 1217 Advanced Health Assessments and Exercise Prescription Danielle is using a dynamometer to measure the torque of Becky s elbow in REHSCI Kinesiology and Biomechanics lab. 4

5 Student Spotlight: Brendan Doska You wouldn t expect getting lost on a dreary winter day to set the stage for falling in love with a school, but that s exactly what happened during Brendan Doska s, RS 15, first campus visit. Like many students, Brendan knew Pitt would be a great fit as soon as he first stepped foot on campus. In fact, he hopes to remain here and attend Pitt s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Brendan is interested in an interdisciplinary approach to physical therapy and plans to combine both the physiological and psychological aspects of therapy in his future career. On campus, Brendan serves as both an officer and a dancer with the African Music and Dance Club. Although he had no prior dancing experience, he loves it because it s just out of the box enough and is a refreshingly unique hobby. Brendan also stays busy as part of Pitt s Quidditch team, which he joined at the start of his sophomore year. On the very first day of practice, he found himself among an interesting mix of athletes and Harry Potter enthusiasts (many of whom didn t come back for Day 2). Although it s been more physical and intense than he had expected, Brendan has found the Quidditch team to be a great stress-relief. He s thrilled that he was able to compete with his team in the Quidditch World Cup (again!), which was held in early April in Myrtle Beach. Quidditch 101 From the International Quidditch Association Quidditch is a co-ed contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, dodgeball, and tag. A quidditch team is made up of seven athletes who play with brooms between their legs at all times. Three chasers score goals worth 10 points each with a volleyball called the quaffle. They advance the ball down the field by running with it, passing it to teammates, or kicking it. Each team has a keeper who defends the goal hoops. Two beaters use dodgeballs called bludgers to disrupt the flow of the game by knocking out other players. Any player hit by a bludger is out of play until they touch their own goals. Each team also has a seeker who tries to catch the snitch. The snitch is a ball attached to the waistband of the snitch runner, a neutral athlete in a yellow uniform who uses any means to avoid capture. The snitch is worth 30 points and its capture ends the game. 5