Open House for the Falls Prevention Center

On June 21, 2017 Emory & Henry College’s School of Health Sciences hosted an Open House for the Falls Prevention Center. The interprofessional center is designed to serve the community and the region. 

The Falls Prevention Center provides in-house services as well as outreach programs led by its director, Dr. Julia Castleberry.   Dr. Castleberry, Doctor of Physical Therapy program and School of Health Sciences’ faculty member, provides screening programs and education for individuals and community groups.  Across the lifespan services are provided to address the needs of individuals who have difficulty with movement and mobility.  Initiatives with infants, children, adults and older adults promote health and wellness by engaging the community. The Falls Prevention Center was created with community organizations, Emory & Henry College and by a matching grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. All services are provided at no charge.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant studies’ students and faculty work together to serve Southwest Virginia facilitating access of care, quality of care, training of health care professionals and education for the community.   The Falls Prevention Center offers annual health screenings, fall risk screenings, fall prevention interventions and education. Research and educational endeavors include the longitudinal health tracking, fall related interventions and outcome databases.  Licensed health care providers provide oversight and community engaged learning opportunities which benefit students and community members. Training and research is on-going utilizing the TekScan pressure mapping system, the Zeno walkway gait analysis system and the weight supported walkway SafeGait system. 

To learn more about the Falls Prevention Center and to schedule a visit, contact Dr. Julia Castleberry at jcastleberry@ehc.edu.

Julia Castleberry MS PT, DPT, CLT, GCS, NCS, CDP, CES

Director of the Falls Prevention Center, School of Health Sciences

Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy

Emory & Henry College

School of Health Sciences                                                   

Office 233

565 Radio Hill Rd.

Marion, VA  24354

Email Address: jcastleberry@ehc.edu

*Image: photo release and permission to use; pictured are DPT students and attendees of the Open House.