News from the Foundation for Physical Therapy

Foundation Alumni Publications

“Priming the Brain to Capitalize on Metaplasticity in Stroke Rehabilitation,” by Cassidy JM, Gillick BT, and Carey JR, was published in the January issue of Physical Therapy (2014;94:139–150). Jessica M. Cassidy, PT, DPT, was awarded Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) II scholarships in 2012 and 2013. Bernadette T. Gillick, PT, MSPT, PhD, was awarded PODS II scholarships in 2009 and 2010. James R. Carey, PT, PhD, FAPTA, was awarded a Doctoral Training Research Grant in 1986. Cassidy's contribution to this research was supported in part by the Foundation.

“Factors Predicting Weight-Bearing Asymmetry 1 Month After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cross-sectional Study,” by Christiansen CL, Bade MJ, Weitzenkamp DA, and Stevens-Lapsley JE, was published in Gait & Posture (2013;37:363–367). Cory L. Christiansen, PT, PhD, was awarded a Marquette Challenge Research Grant in 2011. Michael J. Bade, PT, PhD, FAAOMPT, was awarded a Florence P. Kendall Scholarship in 2008, a PODS I scholarship in 2010, and a PODS II scholarship in 2011. Jennifer E. Stevens-Lapsley, PT, MPT, PhD, was awarded a PODS I scholarship in 2000, a PODS II scholarship in 2002, and a Marquette Challenge Research Grant in 2007. Christiansen's and Bade's contributions to this research were supported in part by the Foundation.

“Muscle Coactivation: A Generalized or Localized Motor Control Strategy?” by Frey-Law LA, and Avin KG, was published in Muscle & Nerve (2013;48:578–585). Laura Frey-Law, PT, PhD, was awarded a Mary McMillan Doctoral Scholarship in 2000, a PODS I scholarship in 2001 and a PODS II scholarship in 2002. Keith Avin, PT, PhD, was awarded a Florence P. Kendall Doctoral Scholarship in 2008, a PODS I scholarship in 2009 and a PODS II scholarship in 2010. Avin's contribution to this research was supported in part by the Foundation.

“Comparative Analysis of Speed's Impact on Muscle Demands During Partial Body Weight Support Motor-Assisted Elliptical Training,” by Burnfield JM, Irons SL, Buster TW, Taylor AP, Hildner GA, and Shu Y, was published in Gait & Posture (2014;39:314–320). Judith Burnfield, PT, PhD, was awarded PODS I scholarships in 1998 and 1999.

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Joins the Health Research Alliance

The Foundation for Physical Therapy recently announced that it has joined the Health Research Alliance (HRA), a collaboration of funders of health and biomedical research that work toward the common goal of improving patient outcomes.

The HRA is a membership alliance, which is comprised of 56 not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, that provides over $1.5 billion in research awards each year to more than 5,500 scientists. Its members include the Arthritis Foundation, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, American Diabetes Association, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

The HRA brings researchers together from around the country to maximize the impact of investment in biomedical research and training by:

• Fostering open communication and collaboration among members;

• Providing comprehensive data and analysis about the funding of biomedical research and training by HRA member organizations;

• Identifying gaps in funding and facilitating innovative grant making;

• Addressing issues key to accelerating research discovery and its translation.

Please visit http://www.healthra.org/ for more information.

Foundation Surpasses $3 Million Mark in Funds Raised for Center of Excellence

In 2013, the Foundation launched a campaign to raise $3 million in support of a Center of Excellence (COE) for Health Services/Health Policy Research, the nation's first research training program dedicated to expanding the number of physical therapy scientists in the field of health services and health policy research. The project was launched with a leadership gift of $1 million from the American Physical Therapy Association and reached the $3 million goal in December. The Foundation will award a $2.5 million grant over 5 years to the most qualified institution or health systems network to set up and manage the training program and the additional funds will be utilized for health services and health policy research grants and scholarships through the Foundation's internal funding program.

Congratulations to the 2013 Kendall Scholarship Recipients

The Foundation for Physical Therapy is proud to announce the recipients of the 2013 Florence P. Kendall Doctoral Scholarships. These $5,000 awards are given to support outstanding postprofessional doctoral students within their first year of studies. This year's recipients include:

• Timothy Faw, PT, DPT, NCS, Ohio State University;

• Brian Loyd, PT, DPT, University of Colorado, Denver;

• Justin Staker, PT, MPT, University of Minnesota.

Funding for the 2013 Kendall Scholarships is provided by the Rhomberger Fund.

$40,000 Magistro Family Foundation Research Grant Awarded

Eric Vidoni, PT, MSPT, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center and education and outreach director of KUMC's Alzheimer's Disease Center, has been awarded the $40,000 Magistro Family Foundation Research Grant. His 2-year project, entitled “Promotion of Activity Through Clinical Education and Reinforcement,” aims to look at the physical and psychological effects of individualized activity programs for people with Alzheimer disease. This grant is generously provided by the Magistro Family Foundation Endowment Fund.

Mizner Awarded $40,000 Miami–Marquette Challenge Research Grant

This year's recipient of the Miami–Marquette Challenge Research Grant is Ryan Mizner, PT, MPT, PhD, an Assistant Professor at the University of Montana. The $40,000 award will fund Mizner's 2-year project titled “A Novel Unweighting Technology to Address Psychological Impairments Limiting Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction,” which will look at the effects of a bodyweight reduction instrument to deliver graded exercise (BRIDGE) on the outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

In addition to support from the Miami–Marquette Challenge, Mizner's grant was also supported by the American Physical Therapy Association Supporting the Profession Fund and the Legacy Research Fund.

$40,000 Pediatric Research Grant Awarded

Stacey Dusing, PT, MS, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been awarded a $40,000 Pediatric Section Research Grant for her study titled “Supporting Play, Exploration, & Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) for Infants Born Preterm: An Initial Efficacy Study.” This 2-year project will evaluate the efficacy of SPEEDI in improving reaching and problem-solving skills in infants at a high risk for developmental disabilities. The Pediatric Endowment Fund and the Legacy Research Fund have graciously financed this grant.

Foundation Shout Outs

Foundation alumnus Andrea Behrman, PT, PhD, FAPTA (1994 Doctoral Training Research Grant, 1998 New Investigator Fellowship Training Initiative), was recently awarded $10 million from Kosair Charities and the University of Louisville to support her work exploring how to help children regain the use of limbs paralyzed as the result of spinal cord injuries and other causes.

Kristin Archer, PT, DPT, PhD (2011 Magistro Grant), an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was recently awarded $1.7 million Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant for her project “Comparative Effectiveness of Postoperative Management for Degenerative Spinal Conditions.” Pilot data for this project was funded in part by her 2011 Magistro Family Foundation Research Grant from the Foundation.

Share Your Research News and Announcements

To have your information posted in the Foundation's section of Physical Therapy, please e-mail Rachael Crockett at RachaelCrockett{at}Foundation4PT.org.

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