Moravian University Doctor of Physical Therapy

Moravian Faculty Spotlight Saturday! Kathleen Madara, PT, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Moravian DPT program. Dr. Madara teaches Moravian DPT students in a variety of courses including Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Functional Mobility, Evidence Based Practice, and Prosthetics, Orthotics and Assistive Technology. She also teaches special topics in Modalities and is a lab instructor for Clinical Orthopedics. Dr. Madara earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Scranton, her clinical doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) degree from Arcadia University, and her PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware. In addition, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Arcadia University. Dr. Madara has always had a love for science, particularly anatomy. She even recalls picking out an anatomical model out of a toy catalog as a kid! She shares, "As I moved through my academics I found my passion to be the analytics and theory of research in PT. I always had a thirst for understanding 'why' something moved the way it did and thus I specialized in biomechanics!" Dr. Madara was drawn to teaching because of the relationship between research and teaching. She enjoys the challenge of translating information obtained through research into a digestible form for students to understand. In fact, she shares that her favorite aspect of teaching is "breaking down difficult concepts into a new presentation for students and then they 'get it!'" When asked why she decided to teach in Moravian's DPT program, Dr. Madara says, "Having enjoyed my education from smaller institutions the most, the structure and size of Moravian University was a major factor in my choice. The biggest part was the unique characteristic that this institution has all of the rehabilitation sciences together in one building and the faculty work closely with each other across disciplines." Dr. Madara's research agenda is to "improve the model of care before and after total joint arthroplasty by optimizing patient-therapist interaction, improving patient education, and developing patient-specific rehabilitation protocols that target each patient’s specific needs." She currently evaluates movement symmetry during functional measures in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and assesses the impact of novel body-weight supported training tools on gait mechanics. Dr. Madara credits many people with supporting her professional journey including Dr. Scott Stackhouse for his mentorship through PT school and beyond, her students for allowing her to learn through their interactions, and her parents for their "constant support and encouragement (and the occasional kick in the pants to keep trying)." #BeBrilliant #MoravianUniversity

Summer is a great time for some DPT research! Moravian DPT faculty members Michael Steimling II PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT and Kathleen Madara, PT, PhD have been mentoring Moravian undergraduate student Sarah Rice in a SOAR research project this summer. SOAR Project title: An Investigation of Running with Body Weight Support on Heart Rate, Muscle Activity, and Running Kinematics in Collegiate Runners. Moravian University's SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Research) Program facilitates student research in collaboration with a faculty member. Sarah is investigating the effects of a novel portable body weight support device on heart rate, muscle activity, and running kinematics in collegiate runners. The device is called the "Lever," a portable body weight support system that can be attached to the average treadmill (LEVER Movement). This system uses bungee cords and special shorts that act like a harness to offload body weight (up to 45 lbs) to reduce physical demands on individuals while they run or walk. Specialized treadmills are used in rehab settings to offload injured individuals but, due to cost and size, are not widely accessible. However, the portability of this new device makes body weight support much more accessible to the average person. It can be a valuable tool for an individual who wants to reduce the cumulative load of running or walking. Sarah is evaluating the effects of body weight support in the Lever on heart rate (Polar heart rate monitors) as a measure of physiologic demand. She is also using electromyography (EMG by Noraxon USA) to assess changes in lower extremity muscle activity and the RunDNA Helix 3 camera 3D motion capture system to investigate changes in running kinematics when running in the Lever. Lastly, she is using insoles that measure vertical force to measure how forces at the foot change when running in the Lever. To learn more about Moravian University's SOAR program, check out: https://lnkd.in/eeYP8Hm9 #MoravianDPT #MoravianUniversity #BeBrilliant #PTResearch #RunningResearch

Moravian DPT students from the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 are spending their summer immersed in full-time clinical practice. Students have the opportunity to practice not only their clinical skills, but also their communication and therapeutic alliance building skills. Students learn SO much during these experiences and we are so grateful to our clinical partners for providing excellent environments for learning. When students were asked about their favorite aspect of clinical education, Marybeth Coyne, a member of the Class of 2024, shares that she enjoys seeing the magnitude of impact that physical therapy can have on a person's life. "During my first full-time clinical experience, I had a patient experience a cardiac event during our session. I was able to recognize changes in the patient’s normal behavior and presentation due to our previously established rapport. Establishing therapeutic alliance with the patient allowed me to take a biopsychosocial approach to treatment to treat the patient as a whole. Through this, I had a good understanding of his comorbid conditions and demeanor which played a significant role in his emergent situation. Shortly into the treatment session when the patient was simply not himself, I took his vitals and grabbed my CI to confirm the alarming results. He was immediately transferred to the hospital and underwent immediate open heart surgery. He came back weeks later on my last day to thank me and my CI, however I should have thanked him. He helped me grasp the importance of physical therapy beyond exercise, and our role in saving and improving lives for the better. I am thankful to be in a profession that is so patient-centered so all aspects of care are individualized and targeted to patient-specific needs and goals." #BeBrilliant #MoravianDPT

Moravian Application Monday Tip: According to PTCAS data, on average DPT applicants apply to 5-6 different DPT programs. https://lnkd.in/eiadNeAW #BeBrilliant #MoravianDPT

"Sunday Study Strategies!" Hitting the road for a car trip this summer? Have a bit of a commute to your clinical education experience? Check out an NPTE prep podcast. Check out The NPTE Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. They offer over 200 episodes focused on PT case studies, content review, and test prep strategies. Moravian DPT does not have any financial relationships with The NPTE Podcast. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eu-DSFDH

Today's Moravian DPT Student Spotlight Saturday is Amber Diehl, member of the Moravian University DPT Class of 2025. When asked why she decided to become a physical therapist, Amber remembers, "Growing up I was always a very active child. I played competitive softball up until my senior year of high school. Throughout my years of softball I had my fair share of injuries but my junior year, I got a bad concussion and was out for a couple of months. Without the help of my physical therapist I don’t know how long it would have taken me to fully recover and get back to the sport I loved. My PT is actually who set me up with my first two shadowing experiences. One of which was the pediatric clinic I was at and I instantly fell in love with getting to work with kids and watching them accomplish their goals/get back to their love for their sport." Amber says that she decided to pursue her goal of becoming a physical therapist at Moravian because "I attended Moravian for undergrad so I was comfortable with the school and familiar with some of the professors. I also knew I wanted to stay close to home to be near my support system while being in PT school." Amber is currently completing her first full-time clinical experience in an outpatient orthopedic setting through Lehigh Valley Health Network. She reports that she is enjoying "taking what I have learned the past year and applying it to real-life patient scenarios." Upon graduation, Amber sees herself working in a pediatric setting, but she is also open to other possibilities. To further her knowledge and experience working with the pediatric population, Amber has been volunteering her time to work with young children. She reports that her favorite memory of PT school so far is "working with the kids up at Bonaventure Academy." When asked what advice she would give to students entering PT school, Amber says, "To take it day by day. It can be stressful and hard but it will be worth it in the end. It is also super important to make time for yourself throughout the week and take a mental break when needed." She also credits her support system helping her navigate PT school. She shares, "I want to thank my fiancé and family for constantly supporting me throughout the last year." #MoravianDPT #BeBrilliant

Congratulations, Dr. Colin Tomes, on your upcoming conference presentation! Excellent work!

Moravian Application Monday Tip: Did you know that you may have a baccalaureate degree in any major when you're applying to Moravian University's DPT program? Although most DPT students have baccalaureate degrees in exercise science, biology, or kinesiology, other DPT students have baccalaureate degrees in anything from allied health, to business, to communication, to fashion design, to psychology! #MoravianDPT #BeBrilliant

Sunday study strategies! Consistency is more important than cramming. If you average 1 1/2 hours per day of studying for the NPTE from July 14th until January 28th (199 days), you will get almost 300 hours of studying in. However, if you wait to cram until 2 weeks before the exam, even studying 6 hours per day will only get you 84 hours. Plus, that additional time gives you more time to absorb and learn information, helping your long-term memory. For more "Study Smart" tips, check out the American Psychological Association's research-based study tips at https://lnkd.in/eyXvfxUH #BeBrilliant

Today's Moravian DPT Student Spotlight Saturday is Heather Alich, SPT, member of the Moravian University DPT Class of 2024. During her time in the DPT program, Heather has served at the DPTSA 2024 Class Liaison and the Chair of the Social Committee. In addition, Heather is participating in research, assisting Dr. Colin Tomes with a systematic review, and is currently serving as a tutor for first-year DPT students in their Anatomy and Neuroanatomy courses. Heather decided she wanted to become a physical therapist when she was only 7 years old! She recalls, "... my grandfather tore his rotator cuff. He would take me to his appointments and I found a natural interest in what they were doing. Throughout my time in school, I watched my older cousin become a physical therapist and she helped me find places to observe. While I observed I found an interest in helping others give a piece of their life back, just like the physical therapist did with my grandfather." Heather decided to attend Moravian because of "the welcoming feeling I got when I first came to the school...I found them to be welcoming and helpful to each student that was there. It felt like the perfect fit for me." Heather completed her first full-time clinical experience last summer in an outpatient orthopedic setting with Physical Therapy at St. Luke's at their Jim Thorpe location. This summer, she is completing her second full-time clinical experience in the acute care setting at ST. LUKE'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL her final full-time clinical experience this fall in an outpatient orthopedic setting at JAG Physical Therapy in East Meadow, NY. Currently, Heather sees herself pursuing outpatient orthopedics after graduation, however, she notes that she is enjoying her time in acute care, too. Heather's advice to students entering PT school is, "enjoy your time while in school. It's hard and feels consuming when you are in it, but it goes by with a blink of an eye and you will meet your best friends." To that point, when asked about her favorite memory of PT school, Heather says, "meeting my best friends and all the memories we share together." Heather is most proud of her hard work while in PT school. She says, "After almost losing my scholarship in undergrad, I worked extremely hard in the library to earn a GPA high enough to get into PT school and continued to do well during my time here." When asked if there is anyone she would like to thank for their support while she has been in PT school, she responds, "I would like to thank my family for supporting me in this decision and for helping me make it possible. I also would like to thank my grandfather for taking me with him to his appointments and introducing me to this amazing profession." #BeBrilliant