The PTDOS team is excited to announce our next Program of the Day: University of North Dakota! Check out their plans for October 17th, and lookout for social media updates all day on Wednesday, Oct. 14th, from University of North Dakota DPT students under the #PTDOS.
Written by: Anthony Charbonneau, SPT, CSCS, EP-C
The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of North Dakota is thrilled to have the amazing opportunity to participate in PT Day of Service 2015. It has given the physical therapy community the unique chance to unite and contribute to something that will impact the lives of all involved. The purpose of PT Day of Service is truly inspiring, and UND PT is looking forward to being a part of something that has an effect on such a grandiose scale.
There are 5 core benchmarks that characterize UND PT’s commitment to preparing its students to become quality, reputable physical therapists. Of these, there are 2 that focus on our dedication for the advocacy of service to the community and for health and wellness at the societal level. This is demonstrated through UND PT’s Pro Bono Clinic, a clinic provided by the 3rd year students to those who seek care they cannot find elsewhere, and UND PT takes great pride in this service. In order to continue our commitment to serving the community, UND PT has recruited the selfless support of 1st year, 3rd year, and pre-PT undergraduate students who will be volunteering at Valley Eldercare Center.
On October 17th, our main focus is to make new friends and form memorable bonds with the residents at Valley Eldercare Center. We will be playing Bingo with fun prizes, help with cleaning the courtyards, and offer a listening ear for some good, simple conversation with the residents. Sometimes all these individuals want is someone to share their story with, and we look forward to learning about their life’s journey! We hope by the end of the day we will have met someone we can call a friend; that is our goal.
Something that has stuck with me personally as a physical therapy student at UND were my interactions with other students from physical therapy schools across the nation at National Student Conclave in Louisville, KY in 2013. Many if not all of the students whom I conversed with had little to no idea that North Dakota even had a physical therapy program, let alone one that is continually ranked with the top physical therapy schools in the nation. Well, here we are, and we are ready to make an impact on October 17th and for many years to come!
