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PT class enriches education with service by Leigh Beth Woodman  Physical Therapy Class 2003 The MUSC physical therapy class of 2003 has been on the move. The class constantly looks for new ways to promote community awareness through volunteerism and enhance professional development by attending various American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) meetings, running for office, and bringing the president of the APTA to speak at their school.  The class started an annual ALS (amytrophic lateral sclerosis) 5K run/walk to raise money for research and organized the first South Carolina Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) where students across the state can discuss physical therapy issues. These students are not just committed to their education and school but also their profession on a state and national level.   Nine second-year students attended the Boston Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA this past February. Other APTA specialities such as neurology and geriatrics were represented through educational programming. Students networked with clinicians and students from all areas of the country.  “Attending the national conference in Boston has allowed me the opportunity to be educated on the growth of our profession which has inspired me to be a leader and run for office,” said student Natasha Johnson. Johnson along with classmates Adam Smith and Leigh Woodman are running for director, president, and secretary, respectively, of the Student Assembly in the APTA. Running for office has its price, with various registration fees and travel costs, but that has not deterred the PT class of 2003. The entire class has helped in the endeavor by collecting old clothes as a fundraiser and charity event. The clothing drive has been a huge success and will help send Smith, Woodman and Johnson to various national meetings where they will better educate themselves in order to best represent their class and profession.  In March, at South Carolina’s chapter of American Physical Therapy Association’s (SCAPTA) annual conference, South Carolina introduced its first student special interest group.   “It is an honor to be involved in South Carolina’s first student special interest group,” said Smith. “The idea of a SSIG is a concept that is spreading throughout the nation. It is through the SSIG that students are given the opportunity to take a proactive role in their future. It is a privilege to interact with students across the state and discover the ideas and concerns of other students beside my classmates and professors.”  In March, the PT class of 2003 worked with local therapists and the athletes of the Special Olympics held at The Citadel. FunFitness, a collaborative effort between SCAPTA and APTA, was directed by Erica Rouvalis, the manager of the Physical Therapy department at the Medical University Hospital (MUH). MUSC students were able to participate in the effort to increase the amount of research data concerning this population with regards to flexibility, strength, and over all well-being. On June 1, the Robbie Miley 5K run/walk for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, will be held at Isle of Palms Front Beach.  In its second year, this research benefit will raise money for ALA, a progressive disease that currently has no cure.  “It has been a rewarding and inspiring experience to work with people and to bring together families and patients with ALS in the Carolinas,” said Hayden Woolen, the classes’ vice president and race organizer. Woolen was also responsible for providing South Carolina physical therapists and students the opportunity to hear APTA’s President Ben Massey speak at MUSC.  This class may be highly motivated, but credit is due to the professors and the staff for their support and encouragement that has allowed this class all its accomplishments.  College of Health Professions dean, Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., calls this college a “classroom without walls.” With this interactive, open, and caring environment in the College of Health Professions, this class is not only educated, but has been given the opportunity to gain professional and community enrichment as physical therapy students. The college’s desire to improve and serve the community is evident at MUSC.