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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Mobility Fair: Putting Core Values of Innovation and Community into Action
Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Physical Therapy–Fort Lauderdale
Mobility Fair 2018 – PT, OT and PTA Faculty and Students
On June 16, 2018, the Mobility Fair 2018 was held at the Fort Lauderdale campus with the collaboration of the Physical Therapy (PA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) Departments, Hanger Clinic, and Ottobock with an agenda of providing free health screening for individuals with amputation in South Florida. Twelve individuals, age range of 3 to 72 years, attended the event. Six participants were below-knee amputees, four were above-knee amputees, one child with a congenital lower extremity deformity, and one female with lower extremity bone loss.
The event started with an inspiring keynote speech by Pedro Pimenta, a community-dwelling quadrilateral amputee. The participants then rotated through six screening stations: donning and doffing of prosthesis; balance; ambulation screening & prosthesis use, adaptive equipment; support group/peer mentor meetup. These stations provided screening and practical advice for everyday living, while addressing any questions and concerns the participants had. Faculty and students of NSU PT and OT departments, Concorde Career College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, and Prosthetists from Hanger Clinic & Ottobock assisted at the stations.
The Mobility Fair 2018 demonstrated the importance of an inter and intra-professional team approach including prosthetists, physical therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapists in the healthcare of individuals with amputees. The Departments of Physical and Occupational Therapy, along with Hanger Clinic and Ottobock, look forward to organizing an annual Mobility Fair for amputee population of South Florida, and providing an important integrated learning opportunity for health care students.
