Creighton University Physical Therapy Visits Jesuit Academy Seventh Grade Class

The Creighton University Department of Physical Therapy visited Jesuit Academy’s seventh grade class on Monday, February 24, 2014, to provide the students with insight into the profession.  Creighton professors Kelly Nelson and Kirk Peck accompanied seven Creighton physical therapy students to the school for a visit arranged by Mr. Mansour, 7th grade science teacher.  Mr. Mansour’s science class recently covered the muscular and skeletal systems of the human body, so the visit from the physical therapy students and professors provided a strong application of Jesuit’s curriculum.  This was the fourth year the Creighton University Physical Therapy program has visited Jesuit Academy.

A Creighton physical therapy student opened the visit with a presentation about the profession, asking Jesuit Academy students if they had any family members that have had experience with physical therapy.  Many of the Jesuit students responded with personal experiences of parents and grandparents who have needed the services of a physical therapist.  The student presenter also covered the types of classes that physical therapy students take, in addition to the types of healthcare professionals and patient populations physical therapists work with.

The Creighton students then shared with the group their reasons for entering the profession, which ranged from being personally affected by injuries as a result of athletic participation, to parents and grandparents needing services.  The students shared that the profession allows them to positively affect the lives of those in need by building personal relationships with their patients.

Following the presentation, the 7th graders were split into two groups and participated in station work with the Creighton students.  One group focused on the core concept of balance.  Utilizing a variety of apparatuses, Jesuit Academy students attempted to maintain their balance while tossing a stability ball to one another.  This proved to be even more difficult once students were instructed to stand on one leg. 

The second station focused on muscle strength.  Students were challenged with testing their hand strength utilizing a hand grip dynamometer, quickly turning the exercise into a competition amongst students to see who was strongest.  Jesuit students also had the opportunity to experience an electrical stimulation unit.  After placing electrodes on their bicep, a Creighton University physical therapy student administered electrical impulses on the Jesuit student.  The goal of this exercise was to demonstrate the way the impulses communicate to the muscle, much like the brain communicates to the muscle.  

Spending nearly an hour and a half at the school, Creighton University physical therapy students were able to connect with the Jesuit students about favorite classes, where the students plan to attend high school, and what their plans are for college.  The day was a wonderful opportunity for Jesuit Academy students to connect with Creighton University students pursuing a professional degree in a subject area recently studied.    

Jesuit Academy thanks the Creighton University Physical Therapy program for their support!