CHP grads excel in community involvementsSara Romansky and Tauna Eaddy, are two of 43 graduates from the three-year entry level Physical Therapy Education Program in the College of Health Professions. Both have excelled inside and outside of the classroom through participation in community-based service activities. Their participation in service activities represents social responsibility—one of the core values associated with professionalism in physical therapy.“The PT Class of 2005 is an exceptional group of individuals,” siad Holly H. Wise, Ph.D., PT, assistant professor, PT Education Program. “Both are stellar examples of their classes commitment to health care and the community.” Romansky was the 2004 chairperson for the committee that organized the fourth annual HOPE Race held in June. Each year, the HOPE race raises money for research or funding to help find a cure and support individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Romansky coordinated the race with the help and support of her classmates and community volunteers. The race raised $5,000 to help find a cure/support individuals with ALS. The total amount raised since the race’s inception by former PT graduate Hayden Woollen, is more than $20,000. The HOPE race will be held June 25 on the beach at the Isle of Palms. For information about the race visit http://hoperace05.tripod.com. Romansky wrote a commentary about social responsibility and the benefits of participating in community activities in fulfillment of requirements for the curriculum. Her professor encouraged her to submit a paper for PT Magazine, a national publication. Romansky wrote,”Community-based service learning activities are a great way for physical therapy students, faculty and clinicians to promote health and wellness, advocate for our profession, and learn valuable life lessons.” Her commentary may be published in summer 2005. Eaddy’s solid core values, leadership and interpersonal skills, and educational background will enable her to continue as a leader in the physical therapy profession. These values have found their expression in the countless hours of active involvement in service activities on behalf of her classmates, campus and community organizations and her physical therapy profession. Last summer, Eaddy participated in a 10-day mission trip to South Africa to serve at a 300-bed children’s orphanage. Each year, an interdisciplinary team of health professionals organize a yearly medical mission to partially coincide with a semester break. The participating students must raise their own funds, make arrangements with individual faculty and make up missed work upon their return. Additional examples of Eaddy’s service contributions as a student include talks at middle and high school career fairs as well as a minority health fair. She was a speaker for the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences with Project Export-Youth Leadership Institute, a program designed to increase minority representation in the health professions by presenting informational sessions targeted at historically black universities and minority churches in South Carolina. Eaddy has also volunteered with an after-school learning center for at-risk high school students. The faculty and students in the program applaud Eaddy’s significant contributions to minority services made possible by her commitment and interpersonal skills. She possesses the ability to work with diverse interdisciplinary groups and served as a representative on the MUSC Student Diversity Council, the Multicultural Student Advisory Board, and the MUSC Student Government Association. She was secretary of the College of Health Professions Student Government Association and as president of the Association of Black Health Professionals (ABHP), an organization for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology students. In 2004, the ABHP raised more than $2,500 to benefit REACH 2010 Charleston, the Lowcountry Access Network, and the Georgetown Diabetes Coalition. Friday, May 20, 2005
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