Students from physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs in Virginia were among the 153 schools that participated in the 2018-2019 Pitt-Marquette Challenge, raising $266,019 for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR). Since the inception of the student fundraising Challenge in 1989, more than 320 schools have participated in the effort, raising more than $4.3 million.

 

The dementia population is viewed with apprehension in our culture. This belief also permeates our field. Often the dementia population is an uncomfortable territory for students and practicing physical therapists alike who lack exposure or instruction in treating individuals with dementia (IwD).

 

The Tidewater district held three events from September to November. First up was our PT Day of Service, where a group of eight Tidewater members went to the Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment (FREE) to sanitize and make sure durable equipment was in working order to share in the community. In October, we held a PT social at Bulls Island Brewery in Hampton, Virginia, to network and just have some fun. Our members meeting was held November 13th, with a guest speaker immediately after. Our meeting gave a recap of the VPTA Fall Summit and introduced Elizabeth Chambers as our new co-director. Dr Lisa Koperna was our guest speaker, presenting "Demonstration and Discussion of Robotic Exoskeletons for Physical Therapy." Dr. Koperna shared with Tidewater members how ODU Monarch Physical therapy incorporates Rex, an exoskeleton, to a variety of her clients to maximize outcomes.

 

Our next members meeting with a guest speaker will be held February 5th, 2020, and have an orthopedic focus. 

Given the recent changes to the VPTA annual conference, the decrease in both time and space available to hold PSIG’s annual business meeting, lack of pediatric programming, and to increase flexibility in holding an annual PSIG meeting, the following Bylaws changes were voted on at PSIG Annual Business Meeting: 

 

“PSIG shall hold a business meeting of its officers and members annually in conjunction with the Chapter Annual Business Meeting or within one month (before or after) meeting.”