NEW LOCATION: Student Center - Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre

Registration is currently closed.  On-site registration will open at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event.

The Wallace State Alumni Association, the Occupational Therapy Program and the Physical Therapist Assistant program are pleased to present the OTA/PTA Alumni Connection on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 on the campus of Wallace State. The event is open to the public and all fees are inclusive of up to four continuing education courses with related materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks.  A tentative schedule is below.  The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy and the Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy have approved four separate 2-hour courses for a total of up to 8 possible contact hours of continuing education credit for this event.

Tentative Schedule

(You may attend one or more of the following sessions for continuing education credit – the cost is the same regardless of the number of courses that you choose to attend.  Continuing education certificates are provided at the end of each session.)

All events - including Registration and Exhibit Hall will be held on the Third Floor of the Bevill Health Building - PTA Program area.

7:30 – 11:00    Registration &  Career Fair / Technology Exhibition Area

8:30 – 10:15    Session 1:     Introduction to Kinesio Taping® Techniques                                (2 contact hours)

Course Instructor: Kevin Steen, PTA, CSCS (Mr. Steen is the Director of PT at Athens-Limestone Hospital and has fourteen years clinical experience in the out-patient setting.  He obtained his PTA degree from Wallace State Community College and holds a B.S. in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Athens State University. He also holds certifications in Kinesio Tex Taping, Active Release Techniques, and as a Strength and Conditioning specialist from the NSCA.)

Course Description:  Kinesio Taping® is drawing international attention as a proven method for re-educating the neuromuscular system, reducing pain, preventing injury, promoting healing and improving functional abilities.  This workshop will explore the basic concepts of Kinesio Taping® as applied to orthopedic, neuromuscular, and neurological conditions.  Participants will also be able to observe application techniques and examine a variety of taping applications for common clinical diagnoses. 

Course Objectives: Upon completion participants will be able to...

* Discuss therapeutic taping principles for orthopedic, neuromuscular and neurological conditions. 

* Discuss application methods that can improve function and facilitate healing.

* Identify patients who may benefit from therapeutic taping techniques.

10:15 - 11:00   Exhibit Hall Break

11:00 – 12:00  Alumni Connection Lunch           Reconnect with PTA & OTA classmates over this elegant and delicious buffet-style luncheon, included with your workshop registration.

12:00 – 1:45    Session 2 (PT/PTA Track):  Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Workshop           (2 contact hours)

Course Instructor:  Alina C. Adams, PT, BSPT, MS Ed. (Ms. Adams is the program director of the PTA and Therapeutic Massage Programs at WSCC, having taught at the school for 18 years.  She obtained her PT degree from the University of South Alabama and holds a M.S. in Education with an emphasis in Community College Teaching and Learning from Capella University.)    

Course Description: Beginning in 2012 Alabama PTs (in even years) and PTAs (in odd years) will be required to complete a jurisprudence course for licensure renewal.  This workshop will help you to achieve this requirement and remind you of the important “ins and outs” of Alabama physical therapy practice. 

Course Objectives:  Upon completion participants will be able to....

* Discuss the structure and functions of the Alabama PT Practice Act and Administrative Code.

*Articulate your role in physical therapy practice as well as the role of others with whom you work.

* Describe the legal physical therapy practitioner in terms of character and responsibilities.

* Distinguish between legal and ethical violations within clinical scenarios.

12:00 – 1:45    Session 2 (OT/OTA Track):  Alabama Occupational Therapy Professional Issues Forum           (2 contact hours)

Course Instructors: Chris Eidson, MS, OTR/L & Valley Osborne-McCurry, OTR/L (Mr. Eidson is an Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Fieldwork Education at UAB.  He also serves as the current ALOTA Government Affairs Chair and Chair of the Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy.  He obtained his OT degree from UAB and holds a B.S. in Psychology from Auburn University.  Ms. McCurry is the President of the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association, with previous service as vice president and public relations chair.  She obtained her OT degree from the University of South Alabama and holds a MBA from UAB.)

Course Description: This interactive workshop will discuss current issues pertinent to occupational therapy professionals with an emphasis on strategies to address those issues both from a state and national perspective.  Participants will gain a better understanding of their role in the ongoing growth of the profession and the potential impact of current issues. 

Course Objectives:  Upon completion participants will be able to....

*Discuss current professional issues facing the practice of occupational therapy.

* Identify potential strategies for address these issues.

* Problem-solve potential solutions to ethical and professional issues faced by other participants. 

1:45 – 2:00      Afternoon Break

2:00 – 3:45      Session 3:   Vestibular Rehabilitation – Treatment for Positive Outcomes                        (2 contact hours)  

Course Instructor:  Lori Miller, MSPT, VRT, ATC/L, CSCS (Ms. Miller is a certified Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapist with the Tyler Center for Balance Disorders at Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama.  She obtained her undergraduate degree and athletic training education from the University of Central Florida and her physical therapy degree from Florida Gulf Coast University.  She is a NSCA Strength and Conditioning specialist and received her Vestibular Rehabilitation certification through Emory University.)

Course Description: Falls and the fear of falling significantly impact quality & length of life for many individuals.  Through Vestibular Rehabilitation, patients can regain stability, leading to safer levels of activity and reduced risks for secondary problems.  This course will discuss evidenced-based practice techniques that can be readily implements in current practice as well as exploring cutting edge technology for the treatment of balance impairments.    

Course Objectives: Upon completion participants will be able to....

* Discuss common diagnoses that compromise balance and lead to negative outcomes.

* Implement functionally significant treatment plans individualized to patient’s impairments.

* Execute evidence-based practice techniques to effectively stimulate the affected system.

3:45 – 4:00      Afternoon Break

4:00 – 5:45    Session 4:  Modality Update – Diathermy: Old Modality, New Era            (2 contact hours)

Course Instructor: Dr. Rick Proctor, EdD, LAT, ATC (Dr. Proctor is Clinical Education Manager for Chattanooga Products with DJO Global, Inc.  Dr. Proctor has served as a clinician and educator since 1981.  For the past 25 years he has taught therapeutic modalities, evaluation and rehabilitation  courses at colleges and universities; from 1984-1988 at Catawba College and 1988 - 2010 at High Point University.  He received his undergraduate degree from High Point University, masters in Sports Medicine from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his doctorate in Exercise Science from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.)

 Course Description:  Diathermy is not new but has made a remarkable comeback in a new, easier to use form.  This workshop is designed to provide a basic overview of diathermy to assist the clinician in providing treatments with a therapeutic purpose and to achieve beneficial outcomes.  It is the intention of this program to remove the stigma surrounding the use of diathermy and show its usefulness in the heating of deep tissues. The program is designed to provide a practical hands-on approach for greater understanding of diathermy application and protocol development.

Course Objectives: Upon completion participants will be able to....

* Discuss the merits of diathermy over ultrasound based on the ability to achieve desired outcomes.

* Discuss the available methods of diathermy application for both thermal and athermal outcomes. 

* Anticipate the physiological and clinical effects of diathermy application.

* Describe the indications, contraindications and clinical application procedures for diathermy.