YSU DPT students attend nation's largest Physical Therapy conference

Nearly 40 YSU DPT students attended the American Physical Therapy Association’s Meeting in the nation's capital.

Nearly 40 Youngstown State University Doctor of Physical Therapy students attended the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting in Washington D.C. last month.

Five YSU faculty also attended the event, the largest physical therapy conference in the nation with more than 13,000 therapists in attendance.

Students participated in several educational sessions and poster presentations in the specialty areas of Sports, Orthopedics, Neurology, Geriatrics, Health Policy, Pediatrics, Cardiopulmonary, Acute Care, Women’s and Men’s Health, Electrophysiology and Research.

Second-year student Christin Vernick presented a poster titled, “Attitudes Towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Health and Human Services Students” and was awarded a blue ribbon from the Global Health Special Interest Group for contributions to the body of research in global health as it relates to social responsibility. Vernick was mentored by Weiqing Ge, YSU professor of Physical Therapy.

Assistant Professor Jim Benedict presented a peer-reviewed educational session titled “How Physical Therapists Can Support Pro Bono Global Health for Local Vulnerable Populations.” He collaborated and co-presented with Jill Black from Widener University and Nancy White, director of the Arlington Free Health Clinic outside Washington D.C. The session was sponsored by the Section on Health Policy and Administration. Benedict is executive director of the Centofanti Comprehensive Health Center in Youngstown, a collaboration with the YSU Bitonte College of Health and Human Services and the Midlothian Free Health Clinic.

YSU students attending the conference were:

Natalie Miller

Megan Lieber

Bryce Phillips

Jascelynn Romeo

Brandy Schumaker

Lydia Corle

Victoria Ferry

Elliott Metheny

Alyson Jurcenko

Kristi Kester

Emily Robertson

Rachael McCall

Patricia Davis

Colleen Juhasz

Lindsey Jubina

Owen Rasmussen

Mollie Phillis

Sumer Reese

Chris Scheitinger

Jared Mooney

Chris Wright

Antonia Stephenson

Ryan Dudziak

Alex Baxter

Erin Gabriel

Shannon Witte

Gabi Gessler

Pierce Rassega

Christin Vernick

Lauren Calai

Stanley Socha

Paige Brucoli

Dillon Gorby

Nicholas Fresenko

Allison Seelinger

Gabrielle Matlock

Kelsey Voll

Amanda Linhart

Alessandra Corradi