Physical Therapy Alumni Chapter 2014 Year in Review 2014 The Physical Therapy Alumni Chapter has been busy this year with student activities and reaching out to alumni in Nebraska and across the country. Please see the major highlights from this year below. March 23, 2014 UNMC Alumni Association Arizona Outreach Physical Therapy alumni in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area were invited to Spring Training with the UNMC Alumni Association. 26 UNMC alumni and guests participated in the annual event. Alumni enjoyed a spring training baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants. Outreach events serve to connect alumni with the University and fellow alums. April 11, 2014 NPTA Spring Meeting Reception Sponsorship 50 guests participated in a reception sponsored by the Physical Therapy Alumni Chapter at the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association (NPTA) State Meeting in North Platte, Neb. This event brings together alumni from across the state of Nebraska for professional networking and social time. May 9, 2014 PT Class of 2014 Graduation Convocation The PT Alumni Chapter provided a partial sponsorship for the Division of Physical Therapy s graduation convocation for students and their families, hosted at the UNMC Truhlsen Campus Events Center. This event, hosted by the Division of Physical Therapy Education, gives the students a special sendoff prior to graduation. Pictured at right is student speaker at the convocation breakfast, Brett Burton DPT'14. May 10, 2014 PT Class of 2014 Becomes Newest Alumni 49 PT students graduated with their doctorate of physical therapy degree at the 2014 Commencement Ceremony. These new graduates are awarded a complimentary 1-year membership in the alumni chapter. Continues on page 2
June 12, 2014 UNMC Alumni Association Central Iowa Outreach Physical Therapy alumni in the Central Iowa area were invited to meet UNMC leadership at the Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa. Guests enjoyed dinner and conversation with fellow alumni and UNMC deans, including Senior Associate Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., P.T. (pictured at left with Kaitlyn Myers, DPT '09). June 27, 2014 UNMC Alumni Association All Board Retreat PT alumni chapter board member Mike Moravec, DPT'04 (pictured at right above) traveled from Scottsbluff, Neb. to Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Neb. for the UNMC Alumni Association all board member retreat. Board members from all UNMC chapters gathered to hear from UNMC Chancellor Jeffery P. Gold, M.D. (second from left above), and other distinguished speakers and to discuss strategic plans for the future.
August 23, 2014 PT Class of 1994 Celebrates 20 Year Reunion Alumni and guests from the class of 1994 (pictured above) gathered in Omaha s Old Market to celebrate their 20th year reunion. The UNMC Alumni Relations Office staff is available to help with reunion planning. If you d like to plan a class reunion in 2015, please contact Catherine Mello. September 6, 2014 PT Alumni Sponsor 46 White Coats PT alumni can be counted on for generous contributions to sponsor the PT student white coats at the School of Allied Health Professions Professionalism Ceremony. This year, 46 second year PT students earned their white coats with a card in the pocket listing the name (s) of the alumnus who sponsored their coat. This tradition provides a valuable connection between students and alumni.
September 6, 2014 Alumni Chapter Presents the Pat & Bruce Hageman Award At the Professionalism Ceremony, PT Alumni Chapter president Kate Kuester, DPT 08 (pictured above at left) presented the Pat & Bruce Hageman Award to 3 rd year PT student Troy Goetsch (pictured second from left). This award, which is accompanied by a $1,500 educational award, was created by PT faculty member Pat Hageman (pictured third from left) and her husband Bruce to recognize either a second or third year PT student who demonstrates professionalism and service through exemplary involvement in activities benefiting others in the community, workplace, and/or the profession. The alumni chapter selects the recipient from a pool of highly qualified candidates. Also pictured above is PT Program Director Joe Norman, PhD, PT (at right). September 20, 2014 UNMC Alumni Association Tailgate Party PT alumni joined the UNMC Alumni Association for a tailgate party at the Grand Manse prior to the Miami vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln, NE. Pictured above: Kylie Fullner, DPT'08; Kate Kuester, DPT'08; Erica Elsasser, DPT'08; and Mark Sunderman, PT'84. October 10, 2014 NPTA Fall Meeting Reception Sponsorship At the NPTA fall meeting in Lincoln, Neb. the PT Alumni Chapter sponsored the reception for PT alumni
from across Nebraska. The reception enabled alumni and fellow physical therapists the opportunity to network and share social time during the conference. October 22, 2014 Send-Off Pizza Party for PT3 Students The Alumni Chapter sponsored lunch for the students just prior to them departing for their rotations. 2015: What's Ahead While we had a busy year, there is much work ahead for us in 2015 to continue to build our alumni chapter. In addition to our regular activities, here are just a few highlights of what's to come in the year ahead: 1) Planning continuing education sessions hosted by the Alumni Chapter 2) Sponsorship of PT students traveling to Central America on UNMC mission trips 3) Supporting the School of Allied Health s expansion in Kearney We look forward to working with you!