Cohort-based Physical Therapy Student Leader Training: A Demonstration Project for Evidence-based Fall Prevention Programs

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Health professions students can expand community capacity for evidence-based program delivery for older adults. As physical therapists and faculty members, we have a cadre of graduate physical therapy students poised to serve the community through implementation of evidence-based fall prevention programs, as they also develop critical professional knowledge and skills. We developed a demonstration project for leader certification for Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) for an entire 46-student cohort. We will deploy student teams to community settings this fall. We will describe our organizational approach to training and managing student teams. We will explain our collaboration with local partner agencies. We will preview our upcoming activities and plans for outcome evaluation. The target audience for this presentation includes faculty in health professions programs of all types, as well as representatives of community agencies with existing or desired partnerships with local colleges and universities.

Kimberly Nowakowski, PT, DPT

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Springfield College Department of Physical Therapy

Kimberly Nowakowski, PT, DPT is a Professor of Physical Therapy and the Director of Clinical Education at Springfield College. She has been a physical therapist for over 30 years and continues to practice with clients with neurologic dysfunction on a per diem basis. Kim is an ABPTS-certified specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy and Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults. Her involvement in community health includes fall prevention programs locally and in Trinidad, SAFE screening at the MA Senior Games, and she is a trained leader for Walk With Ease, Stay Active and Independent for Life, and Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance. She is part of the research team that received a grant from the Administration of Community Living to provide community-based falls risk reduction programming for older adults in Western Massachusetts.

Regina Kaufman, PT, EdD, MS

Professor of Physical Therapy

Springfield College

Regina Kaufman, PT, EdD, MS, NCS is Professor of Physical Therapy at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Russell Sage College in 1984, an MS in PT from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and an EdD from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is an academician and clinician with a strong commitment to community-engaged education. For more than a decade she has partnered with community members living with chronic neurologic conditions to promote improvements in health and function while enhancing DPT student development through a variety of service learning initiatives. Long term relationships with community partners have prompted and informed deep introspection about what it means to provide authentic person-centered care as well as an evolving critique of some of the values and assumptions that drive traditional rehabilitation efforts.

Donya Currie (Moderator)

Senior Editor, NCOA

National Council on Aging

Donya Currie is a journalist, writer, editor, and content strategist who brings a passion for social justice and equity to her work at NCOA. She has decades of experience covering health and public health as well as expertise in helping other tell their powerful personal stories. She is a National Center to Reframe Aging facilitator and would love to talk to you about changing the way we think about aging.