School of Health Professions News

New PT faculty member discovered the profession while in the military

Monday, August 30, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Associate Professor Bradley Tragord, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT, was five years into his military career when he decided to become a physical therapist.

“I had more of an inclination to interact with patients, and when I learned I could still stay in the Army and do that, it was a slam dunk,” said Dr. Tragord, who recently joined the faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy after retiring from the Army with more than 22 years of active-duty service.

Committed to the profession, OT students win Ellsworth scholarships

Monday, August 30, 2021

By Kate Hunger

A passion for helping people participate more fully in their daily activities drew third-year occupational therapy (OT) students Nestor Gonzalez and Erin Hobbs to the profession.

The daughter of two nurses, Hobbs discovered OT halfway through her undergraduate study as she sought a health care profession that matched her values.

“It’s a profession that really cares about health and quality of life for our clients and patients,” Hobbs said.

Respiratory care professor publishes children’s book

Monday, August 30, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Assistant Professor Tabatha Dragonberry has published a book for children of mothers who are respiratory therapists.

“I did this because there was nothing of its kind,” said Dr. Dragonberry, DHSc, MBA, MEd, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, CPFT, C-NPT.

The self-published book features main character Regina Rabbit, a registered respiratory therapist who is also a mom, and aims to demystify the profession by taking the reader through a day in the life of a respiratory therapist.

Building community: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders hosts adult education program

Monday, August 30, 2021

By Kate Hunger

High school math teacher Simone Bailey has primary progressive aphasia, a disorder that affects speaking and understanding language, as well as reading and writing.

This summer, Bailey attended an adult education program for improving communication skills that the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders hosted on campus. The program was designed for people whose ability to communicate has been affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions, including primary progressive aphasia.

Emergency Health Sciences faculty participate in summer EMS conferences

Monday, August 30, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Faculty from the Department of Emergency Health Sciences participated in several leading EMS conferences this summer.

Professional milestone: PA students receive white coats and pins

Thursday, July 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Students in the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2023 received their white coats and pins in an annual ceremony signifying their entrance into the profession and the responsibility that comes with it.

Communication Sciences and Disorders professor named journal junior editor

Thursday, July 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Assistant Professor Rocío Norman, PhD, CCC-SLP of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has recently been selected as a junior editor for the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.

Although Dr. Norman has served as a reviewer for several peer-reviewed medical journals, this is her first role as an editor. Her experience as both a clinician and a researcher have prepared her well for the opportunity, she said.

Northern exposure: OT student enjoys fieldwork experience in Alaska

Thursday, July 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Heading to Alaska for her clinical fieldwork experience was part of Jennifer Sanchez’s plan when she enrolled in the occupational therapy doctoral program in the School of Health Professions.

This summer, Sanchez’s long-awaited trip became a reality as she headed to Anchorage for 12 weeks of fieldwork in an outpatient pediatric clinic.

Students conduct pediatric speech, language, hearing and literacy screenings

Thursday, July 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders have been performing pediatric speech, language, hearing and literacy screenings this summer.

How PAs discover — and choose— their profession

Thursday, July 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Physician assistants often do not learn about their future profession until they are already in college — or even afterwards, according to a pilot study led by Steven “Tony” Skaggs, PA-C, assistant professor and associate chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.