Reaching out to change lives
Occupational therapy broadens its scope
When a wheelchair-bound patient with a too-narrow home entryway was experiencing mishaps, students from the department of occupational therapy’s design and fabrication class came to her rescue. Kelley Walz, Pamela Meyer and Abel Cavazos, all fourth-year students, widened the sidewalk leading to her house’s front porch.
"Occupational therapy, on this campus and others, is broadening its scope—more and more students are working with community organizations like Habitat for Humanity and assisting with structural changes that impact patients’ therapies," said Kimberly A. Vogel, EdD, associate professor of occupational therapy. "Without exception, students who participate in such community projects view the assignments as some of the best they’ve ever had—their reward is knowing occupational therapy makes a difference in patients’ lives."
Helping AIDS patients regain strength
New drugs have made a positive impact on the outlook of many AIDS patients. While still difficult to manage, symptomatic AIDS is no longer an immediate death sentence. In fact, some patients are even regaining enough strength to benefit from physical and occupational therapy services. With that in mind, Health Science Center faculty in the School of Allied Health Sciences have established a relationship with the San Antonio AIDS Foundation.
In the photo, Tom Turturro, MDiv, PT, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy (left), conducts an assessment of patient Arthur Galindo in conjunction with second-year physical therapy student Jenny Martin (center and standing behind Galindo) and Sandra Hubbard, MA, OTR, assistant professor of occupational therapy (right).
