Going National

Our abstract was chosen for a platform presentation at American Physical Therapy Association's Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas! The presentation will be about last spring's pilot service learning project with Emory Physician Assistant students on South Georgia Farmworker Health Project.-which I initiated. Two of my PT friends will be presenting in San Antonio...I, unfortunately, had to choose between presenting and participating in the project due to clinical scheduling with St. Jude. But, I'll be supporting my classmates from South Georgia!

My name is in print in Physical Therapy Journal!
http://www.apta.org/AM/abstracts/pt2008/abstractsPt.cfm?m_id=17260

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

I absolutely LOVE my current Physical Therapy rotation at St. Jude. The hospital is incredible...started in the 60's by entertainer Danny Thomas with the mission that "no child should die in the dawn of a new light." The hospital provides care to children with catastrophic illnesses (i.e. brain tumors-medulloblastomas, leukemia, sarcomas, etc.) regardless of the families' ability to pay. The facility exudes hope to young patients and their families. Walking through the colorful hallways and brand-new bone marrow transplant floor, I am reminded of an elementary school...with hopscotch in the floor tiles, murals, and children's artwork. The cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic diversity of the patients is unlike any other hospital I have visited. I am currently on the bone marrow transplant floor, working with very critically ill children. I currently treat two patients on a daily basis, ages 4 and 14. In 5 weeks I will transfer downstairs to the outpatient PT clinic, where the majority of patients are seen (after their chemo is complete and/or their blood counts have improved and they are not as immunosuppressed). I am really enjoying working in the non-profit, pediatric healthcare environment! More stories and pictures to come...

Moving from St. Louis to Memphis

My parents recently flew into St. Louis, spent a few days in the city with me then helped me move to my new "temporary" home in Memphis. We had a great time visiting the Gateway Arch and riding the tram to the top. We enjoyed great food on "the hill"-St. Louis' Italian district. At last I got to see live theatre again, we all went to the musical comedy "The Wedding Singer" at Fox Theatre. Then I got to celebrate Easter with my family for the first time in 5+ years! A "farewell/Easter" party rounded out the weekend. Monday was a busy last day of clinic for me; I gave an inservice on the Right to Healthcare in the U.S. and completed my final evaluation. Tuesday was moving day as we rented a car and caravaned to Memphis. During the rest of the week, I learned about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and got settled into my new home, while my parents explored Memphis and the Mississippi Delta area. We enjoyed eating dinner with new friends and distant relatives and savored Memphis' famous BBQ! After a final outing to Beale Street, House of Blues and Birthplace of Rock n' Roll, they flew back to the northwest. Here are all the pictures from our journey.