EPSIG Missouri

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Thanks to all of you who joined us at our very first Support Group meeting, which will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month! We can't wait to see you on April 28th for the next. Here's what we discussed:

-overcoming fear during challenging patient situations, such as extremely high blood pressure
-celebrating small or big victories in your week
-facing fear of having difficult conversations with your patients
-fear of the unknown or settling in a certain setting

Please join us on MONDAY, APRIL 19th at 7pm for a presentation on PAIN NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION--benefits, pitfalls, and HOW to do it (presented by our early professional, Monica Lynde).

If you have a topic you're passionate about that you could provide a short presentation on, please reach out to us and we can provide you the opportunity to educate the MEPSIG community!

We hope everyone is doing well this week, but if you aren't maybe consider joining in on our monthly support group. The theme of this months's meeting is: Fear. Whether you have overcome it or whether you are struggling with it, we would love to hear from you this Wednesday at 7pm.

https://wustl-hipaa.zoom.us/j/5460578520...

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Hi MEPSIG! Thanks for joining our interview panel discussion. In case you missed it, here are the highlights:
- Typos are a bigger deal than you think!
- Interviewers may like when you ask tough questions! Such as: What are the weaknesses of your business? How much employee turnover do you have and why? But not asking arrogantly, such as “what are you going to do for me?”
- Don’t try to negotiate above $10k of what’s offered. But wait for the offer before bringing this up!

Please join us on Wednesday, March 24th at 7pm for our very first support group discussion! Early professionals like yourself will be sharing with each other surrounding the topic of FEAR. Please come will all your fear and baggage related to your life as a PT and we will unpack together!

ZOOM LINK:

https://wustl-hipaa.zoom.us/j/5460578520?pwd=c1FIUGlrYXpkeklpbEc1WHR5SGRYdz09
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wustl-hipaa.zoom.us
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Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

Hi Missouri! We hope you are all excited for the Interviewers discussion panel next Tuesday at 7pm (3/9). We wanted to prepare our panelists with a list of questions you want answered. Let us know what questions you have for employers of Missouri?

https://wustl-hipaa.zoom.us/j/99476670758?pwd=dG93TkNMSWNzamt5eVA2QTZ3TjBHQT09

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

Hello EPSIG! In case you missed it, last night we started our first presentation for reassessment rounds. These presentations are an opportunity for early professionals to learn and grow from a mistake that really stuck with them. The presenter, Jake Ciolino DPT, displayed a case where a patient demonstrated red flags signs of a progressive dementia-like neurological disease. In this case, the patient desperately needed family and case management support, but they way Jake chose to go about obtaining this resulted in the patient falling at home and selecting to leave the healthcare environment all together. Here are some of the take-aways that we discussed and learned from:
1. Scope of practice- giving PT's an easy to use cognition/dementia screening tool may help with patient hand off during referrals
2. Social work/case management- These services are invaluable in the outpatient setting and we should learn how to properly utilize them
3. The role of the clinical instructor should be to support a student and screen for tough decisions.
4. The rapport with a patient's support system can be just as important as the rapport with the patient.
See you next Reassessment on May 5th (exact time and date TBA)

Early professionals, we are happy to share another mentorship spotlight with you. Today we will be showcasing: Marcie Harris-Hayes. Marcie makes the eastern district of Missouri her home and practices in the Academic, Orthopaedics, and Research aspects of physical therapy. Her special interest is in the efficacy of rehabilitation. This is where Marcie focuses her research efforts toward. Marcie recommends that early professionals not let a lack of confidence inhibit their chance to pursue specialized interests. Marcie enjoys hiking, travel, and music outside of work. Marcie is able to meet with mentees as needed and participate in regular meetings. Thank you Marcie! We look forward to working with you!

Today’s mentorship spotlight is shining on Haley Hopper. Haley is a home health PT practicing in the eastern conference of Missouri. Haley is a Neuro Certified Specialist who enjoys the flexibility of her career, quality time with her patients, and her amazing co-workers. Haley is a mentor who thrives with frequent communication and post covid meetups. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family. Thank you for all your help, Haley- any mentee would be very happy to work with you.

Hi Missouri! We're back with another mentorship spotlight on: Tony Friedrichs
Tony is from the Eastern conference of Missouri and works in the outpatient ortho field. His special interests include Manual Therapy, Chronic Pain, Sports Medicine and his certifications include: certified manual PT, Level 1 and 2 dry needling trained, blood flow restriction, Spanish language fluency. Tony’s enjoys the balance between the physical aspects of PT work and traditional desk work, and his hobbies outside of work include fitness and recreational sports. He describes his mentoring style as more laid back, and he is available to answer your questions via text or email. Tony would make a great mentor for any PT looking to start out strong in the outpatient ortho world. Thanks for your help Tony; we look forward to working with you!

Here's another mentorship spotlight for the pediatric-inclined early professional. Thank you: Brandi Dorton, DPT, NTM
Brandi works in the Northwest district of Missouri as a pediatric acute care physical therapist. She does most of her work in the NICU and specializes in Neonatal Massage. She is a certified clinical instructor from the APTA and is most fulfilled when she is helping a mom or dad feel more confident holding or touching their new baby. She prefers to mentor her students by adapting to their learning style and keeping a thoughtful discussion. Outside of work, Brandi enjoys being creative, reading, and spending time with her children. We look forward to your help Brandi!

Our next mentorship spotlight is on the talented: Jessica Gleason. Jessica is a geriatric certified specialist physical therapist who works acute care in the southwest region of Missouri. She is a certified lymphedema therapist and will be a great mentor for any early professionals. She is a conversational mentor and enjoys seeing progress in her patients and peers alike. Her hobbies include crafts and enjoying the outdoors with her husband. Thanks for your help Jessica. We look forward to working with you.

Your friendly neighborhood early professionals are back with another mentor spotlight: Sara McGuff
Sara is School-Based Pediatrics physical therapist working in the northwest district. She is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor, so there are no doubts that you will be in good hands. Her areas of interest include: Special Education, Adapted Sports, Functional and Team Collaborative interventions or applications of PT skills. Her advice to EPSIG Missouri is to not be afraid to say "I'm not sure,” and to think about the student/patient/client's overall functioning within interventions in a broader sense not just in the PT lenses. Her favorite part of her career is watching the progress and growth of her students and clients (good news for us early professionals). Outside of PT she plays in Kansas City Curling Club with her husband- how cool! Sara will make a great mentor to any EPSIG Missouri member, we are very lucky to have her.

Today’s mentor spotlight is shining on Steven G. Lesh:
Steven represents the southwest district of Missouri and currently works in sports medicine and academia. The mistake that taught him the most about the world of physical therapy was not understanding the business side of things. If you find yourself confused about reimbursement rates and the like, Steven might be the mentor for you. His specializations of AT-Ret; SCS-E are a perfect fit with his sports medicine focus. He describes his mentoring style as relational; he will work well with mentees looking to develop a more long standing connection. Oh and Steve is not just all about sports, he spends his free time playing the guitar and reading books. Steve is looking forward to working with you guys, and now we are sure that you are looking forward to working with him

Hello PT’s and PTA’s of Missouri. We are pleased to announce that the 2021 mentorship period is currently open and accepting participants. Throughout the coming weeks we will give a spotlight to one of the mentors who have volunteered to help our early professionals. Today’s mentorship spot light is on: Jill Heitzman
Jill’s home is in the eastern district of Missouri where she has plenty of experience as a mentor and educator. She spends most of her time in academia, and has experience in home health and outpatient settings. Her many specializations include: Geriatric Certified Specialist, Neurological Certified specialist, Integumentary certified, certified Otago, certified exercise expert for aging adults. If you find yourself pondering the right specialty for yourself, rest assured that Jill has the answers. She would be a great mentor for anyone interested in staying up to date with current research, exploring pathways into academia, and those interested in her many areas of expertise: cognitive issues, vestibular dysfunctions, integumentary, and fall reductions. Her personal interests range from the outdoors, traveling, and soccer games to card playing and crafts. Her favorite part of her career is mentoring new professionals, so spread the love and chose Jill as your mentor.

Hello Missouri! We are hard at work building our collection of ideas into a successful community that you can be a part of. Here is a sneak peak of all the areas we are committed to providing you. We will give you opportunities to lead others, get mentorship from all areas of the PT spectrum, show you how to advocate for your patient’s rights, further your body of knowledge, and provide you with the networking opportunities you have been waiting for.

EPSIG Missouri updated their website address.

Physical therapists and Physical therapy assistants, we hear you! Starting a career is hard, but it does not have to be. APTA Missouri is launching a special interest group with your needs specifically in mind: build that resume, find mentors outside of school, and enjoy a support group with people in your exact situation.

Stay updated on our official launch- Add yourself to the email list here:
https://www.mopt.org/page/mepsigsignup