News from the Foundation for Physical Therapy

Recent Publications by Foundation-Funded Researchers

“A Movement System Impairment Guided Approach to the Physical Therapy Management of a Patient With Postpartum Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Mixed Urinary Incontinence: A Case Report,” by Kurz J and Borello-France D, was published online in Physical Therapy on September 1, 2016. Diane Borello-France, PT, PhD, was awarded a Doctoral Training Research Grant (DTRG) in 1992.

“Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance of Adults With Pathology: A Systematic Review,” by Bohannon RW and Crouch R, was published online in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice on September 4, 2016. Richard W. Bohannon, PT, EdD, FAPTA, was awarded a DTRG in 1985.

“Contribution of Lumbar Spine Pathology and Age to Paraspinal Muscle Size and Fatty Infiltration,” by Shahidi B, Parra CL, Berry DB, Hubbard JC, Gombatto S, Zlomislic V, Allen RT, Hughes-Austin J, Garfin S, and Ward SR, was published online in Spine on August 11, 2016. Bahar Shahidi, PT, DPT, was awarded a Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) II scholarship in 2013, a PODS I scholarship in 2012, and a Florence P. Kendall Doctoral Scholarship in 2011. Sara Gombatto, PT, PhD, was awarded a PODS II scholarship in 2006 and 2005 and a PODS I scholarship in 2004 and 2003. Jan Hughes-Austin, PT, PhD, was awarded the Miami-Marquette Challenge Research Grant in 2014. Samuel R. Ward, PT, PhD, was awarded a PODS II scholarship in 2002 and a PODS I scholarship in 2001.

“Differential Diagnosis and Intervention of Proximal Median Nerve Entrapment: A Resident's Case Problem,” by Bair MR, Gross MT, Cooke JR, and Hill CH, was published in the September 2016 issue of Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (2016;46:800–808). Michael T. Gross, PT, PhD, FAPTA, was awarded a DTRG in 1986.

“Distinct Skeletal Muscle Gene Regulation From Active Contraction, Passive Vibration, and Whole Body Heat Stress in Humans,” by Petrie MA, Kimball AL, McHenry CL, Suneja M, Yen CL, Sharma A, and Shields RK, was published in PLoS One on August 3, 2016. Amy L. Kimball, PT, MPT, ATC, was awarded a PODS I scholarship in 2012. Richard K. Shields, PT, PhD, FAPTA, was awarded a DTRG in 1989 and 1990.

New Foundation Research Funds Announced

The Foundation for Physical Therapy has recently established 2 new funds to continue supporting physical therapy research—the Bella May Scholarship Fund and the Mildred L. Wood Endowment Fund.

The Bella May Scholarship Fund will support postprofessional graduate education of practicing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants seeking advanced degrees to become teaching faculty in physical therapy education programs. The first scholarship from the Bella May Fund will be available in the 2017 funding cycle.

The Mildred L. Wood Endowment Fund is intended to support physical therapy researchers enrolled in a postprofessional doctoral education program with the intention of teaching in a physical therapy education program. The Foundation anticipates scholarships becoming available in upcoming years.

To learn more about either fund, visit: http://www.foundation4pt.org/news-and-events/press-releases/.

2016-2017 VCU-Marquette Challenge Underway

The 29th annual Challenge officially launched at National Student Conclave (NSC) 2016. Over the years, the Challenge has raised more than $3.3 million for physical therapy research. We encourage all physical therapist and physical therapist assistant programs to join in this year's effort. Contributions to the Challenge support an annual research grant and a PODS scholarship to deserving researchers. In addition, funds contribute to the rigorous and high-quality peer-review process, which results in the awarding of all Foundation scholarships and grants. Check out our website for more information at http://www.foundation4pt.org/ways-to-give/marquette-challenge/.

Now Accepting Applications

The Foundation is once again accepting applications for the PODS scholarship and the New Investigator Fellowship Training Initiative (NIFTI). Starting in 2017, the NIFTI will now be offered at $100,000 over a 2-year period. In the past, fellowship funding was a maximum of $78,000.

Potential applicants should visit the Foundation's website and review all guidelines and instructions before beginning an application. Applications and any related materials must be submitted via the Foundation's online application system by January 18, 2017, 12:00 pm, Noon, Eastern time.

Support the Foundation with a Year-End Gift

Please consider giving back this holiday season to the Foundation for Physical Therapy. We are a nonprofit organization and rely on the generosity of donors to continue funding grants, fellowships, and scholarships to physical therapist researchers. For more information on how you can support us, visit http://www.foundation4pt.org.

Foundation Shout-Out

Former Foundation President (2004–2006) Nancy White, PT, DPT, was appointed to serve on PCORI's advisory panel on assessment of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options. The panel identifies and prioritizes critical research questions for possible PCORI funding, and provides feedback and advice on evaluating and disseminating the research conducted.

Foundation alumnus Andrew Smith, PT, DPT, PhD (2015 PODS II, 2014 PODS I, and 2012 Kendall), completed his PhD at Northwestern University and recently joined Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions at Regis University as an assistant professor.

Foundation alumni Rebecca Craik, PT, PhD, FAPTA (1982 and 1981 DTRG), and Lori Michener, PT, PhD, ATC, FAPTA (1997 DTRG), former Scientific Review Committee member Pamela Duncan, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and former Foundation trustee Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, will be among the 75 speakers to present key sessions at the World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress to be held in South Africa on July 4, 2017. For more information, visit http://www.wcpt.org/news/congress-speakers-July16.

Foundation alumnus, Steven Z. George, PT, PhD, (2001 PODS II and 2000 PODS I) has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Florida Physical Therapy Association Award for Scholarly Impact on Practice. To read more about his award, visit https://sites.duke.edu/orthopaedics/2016/08/25/steven-z-george-pt-phd-selected-as-the-2016-recipient-of-the-fpta-award-for-scholarly-impact-on-practice/.

Share Your News and Announcements With the Foundation

To have your information posted in the Foundation's section of PTJ, please email Yaman Shalabi at YamanShalabi{at}foundation4pt.org.

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